Success Stories with Marshall Atkinson

What is it like to design and print for the big boys?  On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll speak with Kim Cartano, who has worked with Team Edition apparel, also known as Footlocker for over two decades.  Kim will share her story, some process ideas, and what she's excited about in the future of apparel decorating. This is going to be a good one so get ready!

One art term used for decades in the decorated apparel industry is simulated process. This technique separates an image into spot colors to build the correct colors and simulate the usual four-color separation process.  On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll speak with Dave Gardner, who invented and perfected that technique. We'll go to art school today and chat about other ideas...

On today's Success Stories podcast, I'm delighted to have the one and only Scott Fresener on the show! Scott was instrumental in bringing DTG technology to the industry. He wrote the book "How to Print T-shirts for Fun and Profit!" And is an expert in separating art for printing.  So buckle up campers, we'll have a fun episode today!

On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll talk to Matt Reese with  Blk Ankr Originals about his career in Maryland: the self-proclaimed sailing capital of the world, and now he has established a foothold in the Annapolis area.  Matt does things his way and has a unique spin on keeping local businesses loyal to him. And we're going to learn all about that and more.  So stay tuned!

Are you a fan of sports apparel? Want to know the secrets behind building something for a brand? Well, you are in luck! As today on the Success Stories podcast, we'll be speaking to Mariellen Auer with Custom Apparel Stores about just that. Whether you're starting a brand growing a brand or working with sublimated apparel, Mariellen can help you.  Let's find out how she got started...

If you are in the print-on-demand game, today's guest will be someone you need to hear. Jed Siefert with stakes manufacturing in Eastlake, Ohio, joins us today to chat all about high-volume digital print-on-demand services. They have one of the largest print-on-demand shops in the United States so you are in for a real treat.  But that's not all! They also are quite proud of their divers...

If you are a fan of great-looking t-shirts, especially those with a race car, then today’s episode of Success Stories will be built just for you.  Today on the show, we welcome Bruce Kittle , an industry vet since 1983.  He’s been designing for national sports teams, the music industry, labor unions, national parks, and the auto racing industry. Bruce is currently the owner and director of ScreenA...

We have a real treat for you on today's Success Stories podcast.  How do you go from working as a new hire in the screen room to working all the way up to running a massive production facility printing millions of shirts…to starting your own small print shop and beginning your own entrepreneurial journey? Today we’re talking with Nate Leber with Leber Design and Print about that subject, as h...

On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll talk to Ben Spurlock with SE Impressions in Lebanon, Tennessee just outside of Nashville. He's a second-generation t-shirt printer and has taken over the business from his parents.  How has he taken his business to another level with increased sales, new processes, standards, and organization? We'll learn all about that and more. So buc...

Today’s guest on the Success Stories podcast is Erich Campbell, and we’ll focus on all things embroidery.  Erich is a prolific writer, content creator, and a fantastic teacher. You may have seen him at a trade show, on the 2 Regular Guys podcast, or on his own podcast, The Takeup.  But what do you actually know about Erich?  How did he get into this business?  What is he interested in?   We’ll dig...

Since 2009, Corvallis Custom has been a mainstay in the Oregon region for custom-printed apparel, promotional items, and large-format print production.  They have served in the collegiate market since day one, with a recent name, image likeness, or ni l movement they have been helping athletes was customized merchandise that reflects their unique personalities and viewpoints.  Today we'll dig...

If one person in the decorated apparel industry has been leading the charge on innovation, it is Michelle Moxley Hruby.  She always seems to be at the forefront of the next big thing. But where did all of that start?  On this episode of Success Stories, we’ll chat with Michelle about her roots and career journey and what she is excited about now. So, go grab a fresh cup of coffee and sit back and...

How do you grow from a germ of an idea into a partnership and a flourishing business? That’s the subject of today’s podcast with guest Marckendy Jean and Jabir Ducasse with Somerville Printing by Villeside Customs. They partnered up in 2018 and have been a leading apparel decoration shop in the Somerville, Massachusetts, area since.  We’ll learn what it takes go get momentum and some partnership t...

Behind the oil industry, fashion is the second leading global polluter.  As part of the decorated apparel industry, this is something that we should be concerned about. One person who cares is our guest today on the Success Stories podcast.  His name is Ben Grossman, and he’s leading the charge at SwagCycle.  Their mission is to help companies repurpose, recycle, and donate their obsolete branded...

Starting out in his parent’s garage, Jeff Meilander has built a thriving contract apparel decoration business in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.  They serve a variety of businesses and decoration types, where literally no job is too big or too small. We’ll dig into all of that with Jeff and learn how he has built his company from the ground up into a major player in the industry with over 100,000 square fee...

You're in for a real treat on today's Success Stories podcast.  In 1978, Greg Muzzillo began to start in the industry by starting his own company perform up with a $200 investment and an answering machine and some business cards. He started franchising, his distributorship model in 1986.  And fast forward today, the company has over 650 offices with over $650 million in annual sales. We&...

One of the leading process-driven shops in the industry is Tiny Fish Printing in Rochester, NY.  Tony Esteves has worked diligently to create a fantastic shop, and on today’s Success Stories podcast, he’ll share his journey and what makes his shop tick. So, if you are interested in learning more about how to build a process-driven shop that uses SOPs, training, and a fanatical dedication to positi...

When do you decide to start your own shop?  That’s the subject of today’s Success Stories podcast with guest Ray Markey with Evrik Imprints in Flint Township, Michigan. Ray has always believed in himself and what he brings to the table.  Gathering resources and pushing out to begin his entrepreneurial journey was the next evolutionary step for him.  We’ll discuss that and more on this episode, so...

On today’s Success Stories podcast, we’ll take a hard look at retail merchandising with industry veteran Seth Anderson with Westside Merchandising.  You might not know their name, but you’ve seen their work in virtually every mall or concert venue in the United States. With over 160,000 square feet of combined production space in Mexico and the US, Westside cranks out over one million monthly shir...

What happens when a few college buddies get together and start hosting local events?  Sooner or later, they will need t-shirts.  That’s what happened back in 1984 when Steve Taylor with Native Sons Apparel Printing begin printing and selling their own merch. A lot has evolved for Native Sons since then, and we’ll get into that and more on this next episode of the Success Stories podcast.  So, grab...

We all talk about alignment with our customers.  One shop, in particular, has taken that to another level with its focus on sustainability, company culture, and branding, and that is Dom Rosacci’s shop Superior Ink in Denver, Colorado. On today’s Success Stories podcast, we’ll speak with Dom and learn about his shop and its focus on doing things correctly for the outdoor brands and customers they...

One mark of success is how you inspire or help other people on this planet. On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll chat with King Tilley about his life's journey has helped him focus on giving back to the world.  Buckle up and get ready for a moving and inspirational journey that also has a business edge to it too

One of the true treasures in this industry has to be Richard Greaves. He started in this industry in 1979, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has held many roles and shops and companies in the supply chain. During his career, Richard has traveled the world, assisting shops with improvement and changes, and as always open to assisting someone new to resolve their problems. So get ready to get a hand cram...

What if you built your business on some core positive attributes like Love and Sustainability?  That’s what Citrus Heights, California shop owner Jessica Tillery has done with her business, All Quality Graphics. She turned her background in corporate wellness into a business that is all about giving back and enriching others.   On today’s Success Stories podcast, get ready to feel good and learn m...

Occasionally in business, we have to take a “Leap of Faith” and trust that things will succeed.   That’s the background story with today’s Success Stories podcast guest, Josh Wylie, with IGG Screen Printing and Graphics in El Reno, Oklahoma.  It is a family business, and you’ll learn all about how their dedication to doing things the right way has proved to be the winning ticket. So buckle up, spo...