Company Gear
Owner: Vivian Simonis
Phone: 360-220-5192
E-mail: companygear@gmail.com
Website: www.co-gear.com
These days, it’s all about the team — at work and at play. Sequim entrepreneur Vivian Simonis deals daily with the means to accentuate an “all for one and one for all” cohesiveness through her firm Company Gear, an advertising specialties business that puts logos on all kinds of products.
Want ball caps for your team — mesh or solid back? How about pens as giveaways — plain ballpoints or stylus-types with a mini-flashlight? From mugs, to key chains, apparel to umbrellas, if your logo can be embroidered on it or imprinted on it, Simonis can track down exactly what you want to identify your organization through her contacts with thousands of manufacturers and vendors.
“I bought Company Gear in 1999 on a whim from a friend in San Diego,” said Simonis, who moved to Sequim this past November. “It was a challenge because I knew nothing about business except customer service. I tend to their needs — not just push product.”
She has access to an enormous number of catalogues and pretty much, the sky’s the limit when it comes to products to put your logo or special event on.
“What the customer asks for in a specific size and shape, I can research and find it. Some manufacturers do their own embellishing and there are others I have that don’t, so I have embellishers about everywhere,” Simonis said. “They’re mom and pop embroiderers and I try to work as close to the client and use as many small businesses as I can. Stitch count is very important in embroidery — a nice thick logo.”
The process begins with lots of questions by Simonis to discern what the customer needs.
“I find out what their business is, what their budget is, and I listen to what type of product they’re expecting — high end or economical as giveaways. I find the product and give them three or four choices and prices ranges. We make the decision and decide upon an imprint,” Simonis explained.
Selecting a logo’s graphics, down to the exact color and fonts, and where to place logos and other information on a product is a critical piece of the process.
“Now, I’m working on the North Coast Steelhead Derby and there’s a very particular color of salmon they want because a slightly different color makes it look like another variety,” Simonis said. “This one also is a challenge because they want logos on one side, the front and the back.”
Simonis said she goes the extra mile for her clients, many of which have been referred by satisfied customers.
“I have the first orders shipped to me and hand-deliver them to the client. After a couple of orders and they’re satisfied, then I ship directly. My forte is getting things done in a push and my integrity is on the line,” Simonis said, recalling with a wince that one of her embroiderers inadvertently flipped the background color of a logo from white to black on 48 jackets. “I replaced them at my own expense, nearly 100 of them.”
She added, “I love the business because it’s a challenge and my clients know I’m good in a pinch. It’s never dull because of the variety of clients and products that they need. The best part is working at home and so is the worst because I like working with people but sometimes I’m trapped in the office — and it’s part of the job, too.”
If you want to spread your business brand or team loyalty around, let Simonis find your “look.”
