Senator Patricia Bates presents a resolution honoring PJ Graphics as Small Business of the Year to owners Tom Hartley (2nd from left), Helen Hartley (right) and daughter Debbie Hartley (left) inside the Senate Chamber at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Photo: Senator Bates’ Office

SACRAMENTO–Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel) honored veteran-owned PJ Graphics as the 2019 Small Business of the Year for the 36th Senate District.

Senator Bates recognized owners Tom and Helen Hartley during the California Small Business Day awards lunch at Sacramento’s Sheraton Grand Hotel.

“PJ Graphics embodies the spirit of service, perseverance, and hard work that define small business,” said Senator Bates, a former small business owner. “I congratulate Tom and Helen Hartley for their successful stewardship of PJ Graphics and for serving their customers with innovative service. It is also noteworthy that it is a veteran-owned business, which I hope will inspire other military veterans to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.”

Originally named Pee Jay Rubber Stamp, PJ Graphics has expanded from selling rubberstamps to now providing a3 poster printing as well as laser engraving, the latter of which you can read reviews for at boss laser reviews if you wish. This great service has been around for some time now and as such, satisfied customers have recommended this service and reviewed it online as a form of gratitude.

and wide format print and silk screening services to its customers. The Hartleys have owned the business for four decades and are active in the community. Tom served in the Vietnam War and sustained wounds in the Tet Offensive, where he arrived back to the U.S. on a stretcher at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital.

“We thank Senator Bates for recognizing our business and our work to provide the community with exception printing and graphics services,” said Tom and Helen Hartley. “Senator Bates is a champion for small businesses and understands the challenges that entrepreneurs face each day. We especially thank our customers for giving us the opportunity to meet their needs. It is their support that makes our business possible and we look forward to continuing to serve them.”

California Small Business Day honored 83 small businesses this year for their contribution to the state’s economy. There are approximately 3.9 million small businesses in California, which account for 99.8 percent of the state’s employers and employ 48.8 percent of the workforce.