Steve Webb

           It all started in 2003 when Steve Webb realized the distribution of posters for event marketing and gigs in Victoria was all out warfare. All it took was one man’s idea to go from local nightclub promoter and poster boy to now the CEO of Vancouver Islands largest print, design, and production company, Metropol.

            “There were too many posters with not enough space and no communication,” says Webb, “I saw this issue as an opportunity to take control of poster distribution and help venues and clubs stop wasting time and money, helping them get equal representation.”

            In the beginning it was a one man show. Webb worked seven days a week gaining contracts to the rights of poster distribution for all downtown venues after just four years.

            Webb says, “I would be downtown with a bag over my shoulder and my pockets stuffed with tape putting up posters sometimes four to five times a day – until the idea occurred to me, why don’t I just print the posters?”

            For the first few years, Metropol used one of the photocopiers in the back of Lucky Bar. Poster printing was done by dragging boxes of paper in on trucks between bands loading and unloading. The local music industry turned out to be the gateway to growth for the local entrepreneur.

            At the time, there was a massive interest in gig poster artwork. Webb took charge of this and hired a team of graphic designers to harness the golden age of gig posters.

            By 2008, Metropol was a full-blown print and design company after acquiring digital printers and cutters. In 2010, the first street level location of Metropol opened and quickly made a name for itself by offering quick turn-around times and extended hours.

            “We took the business to the next level,” says Webb. “Suddenly it wasn’t just about doing new things for our existing customers, we were now opening it up to anybody that can walk in off the street and order our services – we needed to be better.”

            Though, his island roots never escaped him in his journey to success. Keeping his company true to the island by sourcing everything locally was vital to Webb.

            “We have a unique situation here because we are on an island,” says Webb, “we are an island owned and operated company and that means something to people and that in itself means something to me.”

            Now moving in to Metropol’s 16^th year of business, Steve Webb has turned a bag of posters into the print and design empire of Vancouver Island, and is still searching for new ways to expand. Just recently Webb took on a new business venture opening a classic arcade called Quazar’s in the heart of downtown Victoria.

            Sometimes all it takes is an idea to change an entire community. Steve Webb took advantage of this and is now an inspiration for all young entrepreneurs. Now with two successful businesses, the question remaining is, what will he do next?