A Supportive Partnership Yields Double Success

June 26, 2008

TrimSpa apparel, decorated by Alley Silkscreen and Embroidery, offers sweatshirts such as this one proclaiming "Work In Progress," as well as more fitted apparel.

Amanda Sedlacek lost weight and gained a whole new business. After struggling to lose unwanted pounds for several years, she found success with TrimSpa, a weight-loss company. Encouraged by her success, she embarked on a completely new endeavor by purchasing an up-and-running decorated apparel business.

Alley Silkscreen and Embroidery, Marshalltown, Iowa, was established by its original owners in 1979. Sedlacek purchased the company in February 2006. "It had good clientele to keep it running, but it needed a push," says Sedlacek. "I've always enjoyed artsy stuff, and I love working with [silk screening] now that I've learned the business." One of her employees, Kathy Lupkes, has been in the industry for more than 20 years and was instrumental in teaching Sedlacek the ropes.

After revamping Alley Silkscreen, Sedlacek wanted to give back to TrimSpa for the difference it made in her life. She approached the company with a proposal to create an e-commerce Web site to sell clothing featuring the TrimSpa logo. The company loved the idea. She worked with representatives to come up with a variety of apparel for people of any size. "We have some hooded sweatshirts and unisex T-shirts that anyone can wear," says Sedlacek. The site also offers more fitted garments for people who have lost weight and want to show off their new figures.

TrimSpa was very supportive of Sedlacek and her weight-loss efforts. "[It's] a very different company. I have committed my life to it and represented it at a weight-loss competition in the Bahamas," she says. "In exchange, they've given me the rights to use the TrimSpa name to sell clothing for a year." The company plans to study the effects the gear has on its advertising throughout the year. Afterwards, Sedlacek and TrimSpa will determine the next steps in their decorated apparel partnership.

Sedlacek expects success from the TrimSpa gear Web site, which has been up for a few weeks. "People are proud that they're making a commitment to their lives and changing them," she says. — Liz Aull

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