There's a second generation bicycle shop in Nebraska City called Thurman's Bike & Sport. While my husband and I do all we can to Buy The Big O!, we do our mountain bike business there because Jim Thurman, the store's owner, simply redefines what it means to be committed to his customers - kinda like Omaha Promos.
Three years ago, I blogged about the roots of our fourth-generation family owned business. It occurred to me in our last visit to the bike shop we should on occasion pay homage to the founding fathers of our beloved custom apparel and branded merch business (just as Jim does when he talks warmly of the foundation his dad laid for him in business).
My great grandfather started this company in -wait for it!- 1923. That's a long time ago, right?? His hallmark promotional item wasn't a diversified array of imprinted, embroidered, decorated or logo items, but rather a simple calendar. He had a printing press in the basement of his house, and the basement had a dirt floor. He sold a lot of calendars...
Today, Omaha Promos wouldn't be recognizable to my great grandpa. Matter of fact, I doubt my grandfather (second generation owner) would fully appreciate all the changes since he ran our company. From calendars to custom apparel; from trinkets to uniforms; from working on a dirt floor to being fully computerized and sourcing from well over 5,000 custom clothing and promotional products suppliers worldwide - we've come a long way, baby!
Through it all, our successes, occasional failures and all the fun and satisfaction we gain in serving our clientele, I can only say this: thank you great grandpa, grandpa and mom for all you did before me. I would not be the businesswoman I am today without you.
Denise
