Pulse BEAT

MISSION: COMFORTABLE Matt Alman and Jason Franklin design effortless apparel with Sportiqe

BY MANDY HOLMES / PHOTO BY CLAUDIA JOHNSTONE

Matt Altman and Jason Franklin are dedicated to delivering comfortable, elevated wardrobe staples with their local lifestyle apparel company, Sportiqe. Altman and Franklin’s combined backgrounds in finance, design, sales, and merchandising were the perfect match of skills to launch the global brand in 2006. Altman spent 12 years as the director of merchandise for the Phoenix Suns and the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he gained retail experience in buying, sourcing, inventory, and operations. Franklin realized his passion for design and sales around age 10 and was lucky enough to be given the opportunity and immerse himself in the field early on. “My hobby quickly turned into a career and all of my experiences working in design and sales were stepping stones that led me to being able to start Sportiqe,” Franklin says. The business partners found their opening in the early 2000s, when the market was saturated with heavyweight, boxy T-shirts and sweatshirts with no focus on design aesthetic. “Sportiqe was born from the idea of fusing boutique-inspired apparel with classic sportswear featuring premium quality fabrics and fashion cut apparel with on-trend graphics,” Altman says. The brand quickly shot to fame as a result of landing the NBA and Dave Matthews Band as its first clients. To date, the duo has dressed over 4 million people and recently expanded its wholesale division. “Our products not only make you look good but more importantly, feel good,” Franklin says. “When you’re in your most comfortable state, you’re able to achieve your maximum potential. Being able to provide comfort to our customers is the most rewarding part of my career.” Giving back to the community is also a priority for the Sportiqe family. The company currently works with Only Human and Not My Kid. Some of their other partners include UMOM New Day Centers and Himalayan Children’s Charities. “We look to partner with organizations who are making a difference in helping kids, whether it be education, health, safety, or environment. Our goal is to provide a little bit of comfort through a challenging time,” Franklin says.

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Uptown November ‘19