Promotional Products Company In Thunder Bay Experiences Great Growth
by Scott A. Sumner
www.thunderbaybusiness.ca
John Phyllis, age 43, President of Impact Promotions and Uniform Pros was born in Kenora, lived in Dryden and came to Thunder Bay at age 5. His first business venture was a “cool aid stand” where at age 5, he made over $100 in a summer! After a work career that included a lawn care business and jobs with Pepsi and Grant Forest Products, he started in his current company full time 3 years ago.
“ I had a passion for promotional items work so decided to get into it full time. In Impact Promotions we do embroidery and imprinting on clothing including uniforms and promotional products. Uniform Pros is the other division where we focus on uniforms, scrubs, corporate
wear and chef clothing,” said John Phyllis. “I love the business, dealing with people and being in sales. There is nothing better than interacting with people. I just don’t want to sit in an office all day. Today we have a staff of 7 full time and 2 part time people with a facility in London, Ontario where we do 95% of our production there including all our screen printing and most embroidery. We have a couple staff down there and a partner.”
“ Everything comes to us here complete from London or we can do some embroidery here. You can start off with graphic design where we design your logo or graphic. Then we offer promotional items and clothing for staff so they can look and work like a team. If they need
something for a trade show to get their business known we can help. We sell scrubs which most nurses wear, as well as stethoscopes or surgical scissors for students, lab coats and other health care products,” notes Phyllis. “ It’s been crazy. We have doubled our business three years in a row and expanded our staff. There have been growing pains but they are now under control. I like to think we are almost all grown up now!”
“ There’s lot of business going on in Southern Ontario but lots going on here as well. I love the natural part of Thunder Bay and live by the NorWestor Mountains. The people here are friendly. I just want to stay here and have my kids grow up here,” smiles Phyllis. “We want to grow successfully, not too fast so our quality and service stays the same. Things that I don’t do well I am hiring people to do for me so we can be successful. Things are tough here in certain sectors such as forestry but still there is lots of business out there. You have to work hard and hustle but you can do very well inThunder Bay.”
How did John Phyllis start his company from scratch and succeed?
“It is a vision. I had a plan and worked toward my plan. As we grew we changed our plan. I have liked building things ever since I was a kid. You just go with it and have a gut feel. You need good staff, good customers and a good bank that supports you as well. There is a lot of
capital involved. The banks have seen our growth and profitability so support us well. Our goal is to have fun, work hard and service the people to provide my family and employees with a good income. We will provide great service and quality products with on time delivery. We
are willing to help people find what they need and go direct to their door, bring samples and deliver the finished product. We will go seethem where ever it is convenient. Our customers become our friends.”
The promotional industry is over $1 billion in sales annually in Canada with over 750,000 items available. Impact Promotions has a sales rep in Thunder Bay, two who cover the east and one based in Fort Frances. They brand clothing, uniforms or promotional products for
people and their companies.
