Apparel Lab

AApparel Lab has been offering quality custom apparel and merchandise for businesses, organizations, and nonprofits since 2017 when local entrepreneur Matt McLellan founded the company.

With clients such as Bob Jones High School PTSA, the Singing River Trail, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Apparel Lab has carved a niche for community organizations and businesses to create custom apparel locally.

The team at Apparel Lab aims to give the community a platform to create change through their business as well as through their philanthropic work.

“We are most passionate about giving a voice to those who may seem forgotten or have a hard time speaking up for themselves,” said Nicole Reynolds, sales and production manager at Apparel Lab.

Matt, Nicole, and other team members volunteer and partner with organizations and projects who have a special focus on individuals with special needs and disabled veterans like the Madison City Disability Board and the Kids Kingdom renovation project, as well as Bearded Warriors.

“We do our best to engage with these communities and find ways to help these individuals get the resources they need to live the kind of life we all deserve. Their happiness, access to care, and ability to connect with the rest of our community as a whole are very important to us,” said Matt.

A big focus of Apparel Lab’s business is helping both the education and nonprofit sectors in the community grow their fundraising opportunities. They have found a way to break down the traditional barriers and red tape that many small organizations face when fundraising through merchandise sales. The Apparel Lab team can have a fundraiser online in less than 24 hours. They handle everything on the back end: payments, printing, and shipping.

Once the fundraiser is over, Apparel Lab cuts the organization a check for their profits. In 2022, they were able to foster $100,000 in merchandise sales for local schools and organizations in the Huntsville/Madison area.

“We put our community first. We spend time with each customer to make sure their merchandise gets the creative attention it deserves,” said Matt. “I know some may think we just sell t-shirts, but these shirts are conversation starters. These t-shirts help bring awareness and a voice to people who need it the most.”

The company’s willingness to go the extra mile for schools and community groups has raised not only awareness for their causes, but donation dollars.

“We just want to see others succeed and be a catalyst to help foster positive action in any way that we can.”