Your One-Stop-Shop for All Things Custom - Steve Dean

Team Subkit -

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Steve Dean, CEO of Addix Sportswear, located in Jacksonville, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Addix Sportswear is a USA-based manufacturer of custom athletic uniforms for over 20 different sports. Our customers are schools, clubs, colleges, and professional sports organizations seeking fast, custom, quality sporting uniforms. This includes their fan base as well.

Tell us about yourself

After 35+ years working for Global 1000 logistics & supply chain companies, I decided to semi-retire and try my hand at a small business. I love the almost immediate "cause and effect" of running a small business that is inherent with all of the challenges of running a small company and continuing to drive progressively forward.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We've weathered taking over a company in bankruptcy, the pandemic, partner buyouts, and the move 1300 miles away to a new factory/state, all within the past four years. During this period, we've come out of bankruptcy, expanded our product lines, bought out various partners, and made two acquisitions of like companies.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Maintaining the delicate balance of being a tactical leader versus a strategic one. Keeping one eye focused on today and the other on the horizon is a forever and ongoing endeavor.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Thoroughly investigate the market, the challenges, the upside potential, and the downsides.
  2. Ideally, have some knowledge of the business - the customers and the trends.
  3. Always, always trust your intuition, and don't be afraid to engage your trusted colleagues and mentors both inside and outside of the business when faced with a difficult decision.
  4. Have a strategy.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://addixsportswear.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/addixsportswearUSA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/addixsportswear/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/addixgear
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/addixgear/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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