3 minute read
For stitch-FX founder, helping community is key
Tinker Clayton says GMA’s work to support the community was a big draw for him
When stitch-FX started selling promotional items, founder Tinker Clayton finally got a chance to flex his marketing degree.
“I did not realize how much I was going to like that,” he said.
Tinker started stitch-FX in 1993, using what he’d learned about graphic design and embroidery design from a previous job. Today, stitch-FX has a production facility on Patterson Street in Greensboro and a storefront downtown on South Elm Street. The company specializes in custom decorated apparel, embroidery, screen printing, and promotional products.
It wasn’t until 2004, at the urging of a friend and fellow business owner, that Tinker started selling promotional items. That same year, stitch-FX joined the Guilford Merchants Association, and started sponsoring the After Work Network events.
“What I found with the promotional stuff is, I like being an extension of other people’s marketing efforts,” he said.
When discussing a client’s needs, he asks himself, “Would I buy that? Would I use that?”
“If I wouldn’t buy it, if I wouldn’t use it, I will generally tell someone that and see if there’s a way we can spend their money more wisely,” he said.
Two of his children work with him at stitch-FX. His oldest handles anything related to graphic design and the print shop and takes on special assignments, such as updating the website. His youngest handles all the social media and also takes on special projects as needed. Tinker credits his family, friends and teammates for the success of stitch-FX due to their dedication and hard work throughout the years.
The company also likes to help out the community by supporting local nonprofits. They’re getting ready to add several nonprofits to the list of groups they help. They’re all local, have fairly small annual budgets and could use some marketing assistance.
“We’re going to try to provide the marketing that they perhaps can’t afford, or that they’re constantly seeking sponsors to pitch in and take care of,” he said.
That community-mindedness is something stitch-FX shares with GMA, he said. GMA donates money and provides support to a variety of community programs and organizations.
“They’re interested in their community and supporting local businesses and supporting each other. And that was very attractive to me,” he said.
When Tinker joined GMA, he also joined the Competitive Advantage Networking (CAN) group. It’s one of GMA’s three networking groups.
He enjoys the networking events the most because he gets to talk to people and hear their stories. He said GMA “feels a little more like family.”
“The GMA, in comparison to most other organizations I’ve visited, is far superior when it comes to their efforts to simply get people to connect to each other,” he said.
When he first joined GMA, “the connections were fast and furious,” he said. Now, after two decades, it’s about deepening relationships. So, someone he met months or even years ago but formed a relationship with may reach out to stitch-FX when one of their clients needs something.
And some of the relationships go even deeper.
“Some of the people I’ve met through GMA are lifelong friends at this point,” he said.
Tinker Clayton founded stitch-FX in 1993. When he started selling promotional items in 2004, he joined GMA and has sponsored the After Work Network ever since.
Tinker Clayton
stitch-FX
336-379-7929
www.stitch-fx.com or sfxpromos.com
