All in the Family... Business
HOW A FAMILY WAS ABLE TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITH PROPER TOOLS.
Latino Leaders: How did you start your business?
UAD: Unique Apparel Designs was started as a par-time job/screen printing, we did not have the time to put all our effort in this since we have other ob- ligations such as job, school, and family. We created a business plan with a goal to succeed a year with not payroll involved since they know one of the major expenses in a business is payroll, so beside putting our saving into the busines, our time was the other key point to prosper. We started by offering our products and services to our family and friends and with their help we start received our first order screen printing orders. However; we sooner realized that we needed to add the embroidered services.
L.L: What are the main obstacles you have faced to launch and grow your business?
UAD: Time: As a mention previously, managing time was one of the main obstacles, we all have full time jobs and at the same time Jose and Norma were perusing their degrees. On the other hand, Juan was starting a family. The only time we have left was late nights and by then all business were closed and there was not way for us to share our business information.
Capital: We invested our savings in the equipment and expenses for a year to keep our business open, however; we needed capital to expand our services in order to increase our sales. The help and support of our family, who has been the key to our success, we will always be grateful for all their love and support. There is another institution that has been helping us through the process and that is Comerica Bank, this bank has offer us not only financial help but educational support.
L.L: Which have been the main tools, strategies and work you have done in order to succeed?
UAD: In order to increase our sale and make this business work, one of the partners has to be in the business full time and do the scarifies to leave to his job and pause his carrier path, this person was Jose. He dedicated his time and effort to go out and do the sales, introduce our business and work with customer during the day time, in the afternoons the other two partners will help to finish the order. Within a year and with the help of our satisfied customers and friend, the sales increased and since then the word of mouth has been the key our success.
Expanding our products and services was one of the strategies and after years of offering screen printing and embroidery we introduce school and medical uniforms and promotional item. These was a huge investment and a risk to take but definitely has help our business evolution.
Being bilingual also increase our customer wallet, we have the ability to explain and understand our people’s needs and culture.
Family has been another key point to our business. Sales increase and the need of help too, but having a numerous family has been a blessing, they are always willing to come and help us during to accomplish the job is we need to. Working with the relatives make the job easy, you are not only working but speeding time with the people you love. I have to mention than more than strategies and tools, perseverance and faith have been the key in our business. During difficult times such as the pandemic we are going thru, managing the resource we have to survive and keep our doors open is been vital, but having the hope that there is better future and believe in the power of God through all we do and have has been a blessing.
L.L: What is your vision for the future of your business and what conditions you require to make it happen?
UAD: Continuate increasing our services and products and open other locations is one of our goals. We also want to help other people to accomplish their goals by offering mentoring support. We will like to extend or gratitude to our family, friend and all our customers, thank you for your trust. Gracias.