University Tees Sets Up Shop In Lakewood
In these days of economic uncertainty it can seem, at times, that the number of negative stories in the news still outweigh the few that are positive. We hear small businesses continue to suffer and the vacant storefronts on Lakewood’s major streets are hard to miss. But in spite of all the hype, many businesses are doing well and have been steadily growing. One such company, which has chosen to move in to Lakewood’s East Side, is known as University Tees.
University Tees has been based in Westlake since 2006 but its origins take place inside a dorm room at Miami University back in 2003. At that time, roommates Nick Dadas and Joe Haddad took part in many student organizations. After interacting with some other, pricier print shops Nick and Joe decided they could better serve campus life through creating their own custom apparel company providing the best overall experience for student and faculty alike.
Being students, Nick and Joe employed their peers to help with graphic design and sales, a tradition the company still keeps. Today, these Campus Managers operate out of approximately 85 Universities and serve as an easily accessible bridge to a company that sells their products at a lower price with faster delivery. All while supplying the customer with flexibility and understanding that can only be provided by a fellow busy college student.
Over the years Nick and Joe (now President and Vice President of UT respectively) have met with success on the college front and have watched their company grow. Since their college time they have widened their gaze to include orders from corporate clients requiring a wider range of promotional products such as hats, pens and mugs. To meet these demands UT expanded to include www.Onpointpromos.com which was designed to work for local groups, businesses and non profit organizations, some of which include Sherwin Williams, AT&T and State Farm. Their company’s next addition came last September in the form of 717 Inc (spelled Ink) which was established in Lakewood’s Templar Industrial Park located on Athens Avenue just south of Madison Park. This very appropriate locale is already known for the Lake Erie Screw Factory with its Screw Factory Artists galleries and shows. After outsourcing to other companies for almost six years UT now has their own manufacturing center with ample space on the second floor for the site of their new company headquarters.
From a college dorm, to an office in Westlake the members of UT have done a lot of traveling on their way to Lakewood. When asked about the move, President Nick Dadas stated, “There’s a lot of cost involved, we hope to be fully moved in by July. The City Planning Director Nate Kelly has been a big help bringing young companies to Lakewood. We received a C.D.B.G. loan (Community Development Block Grant) which helps finance the cost of moving.”
Despite all the changes over the years the company has never lost sight of the core philosophies they were founded upon. “We pride ourselves on our customer service,” said Vice President Joe Haddad. “We’re a young company so we’re very passionate and energetic; we go straight to the customer for everything to make the experience better for them.”
Creating a better experience is a common theme at University Tees, both for the customer and the employee. Among their reasons for moving to Lakewood Nick and Joe both cited its popularity among young people and the fact that many of their employees already live in the city. “A lot of our employees are straight out of college and now live in Lakewood, people should like living where they work,” said Joe. Nick agreed, going on to say, “We like the culture here, the popular restaurants. It’s the best place to live when you’re young.”
The history of University Tees is full of success; its future appears to be nothing but bright. In the past six months they have already hired seven additional people and with their continued growth more jobs will be created as they appear. As the year wears on residents can only hope to hear of the continued success of local business like UT and by extension, the continued revitalization of Lakewood as a whole.Learn more about University Tees at www.Universitytees.com or become a fan of their Facebook page.