Star City 6: Mike Eldridge
Sunflower Marketing (www.SunflowerMarketing.com) provides branded merchandise and apparel to deliver superior marketing results in the corporate, non-profit, and school markets in addition to experience with the development and operation of online company stores for select local and national businesses. The company recently launched its new online store, 12ormoretees.com, which is a one-stop shop for designing and ordering custom screen print apparel items for those who need 12 or more pieces. Mike Eldridge is the President/CEO of Sunflower Marketing.
Tell us a little about your business. – Our production facility is based in Geneva, NE where we specialize in screen printing, embroidery and promotional products (pens, mugs, executive gifts, etc.). We also have fulfillment capabilities and have administered nationwide programs like Jump Rope for Heart for the American Heart Association.
How did you get started in the business? – I got the t-shirt bug when I was in high school. The local blood bank made its way through town and was passing out t-shirts for people who were able to donate blood. I donated and got a t-shirt that was part of my casual wardrobe attire for the next 10 years. I was a walking billboard for that blood bank in places like Hawaii and the Philippines. Because of that one experience I’ve always kept an eye out for free t-shirts and eventually found my way to a company that prints awesome t-shirts.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Running a business is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Making sure all of the pieces of a company are working in harmony together takes determination, guts, humility, and a lot of hard work.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Putting together a leadership team of diverse people (and personalities) who really care about improving life for our employees and our customers.
Tell us a little about your family. – I’ve been married to my wife for 13 years and have 3 daughters ages 4, 7, and 10. My male companion in our house is a French bulldog named Tank.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Making the transition from employee to owner/leader of a company.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy all the family time, and even some of the chores that come with a day off. But what I really look forward to is a good, long nap after lunch.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I speak Tagalog.
What are you the most proud of? – My daughters. Watching them learn and grow is truly fascinating and rewarding.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Mistakes are the stepping stones to learning.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Generous.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I have volunteered in the classroom for Junior Achievement for the past 5 years. I find the material to be extremely relevant to the kids and I have a lot of fun teaching them.
What is your favorite movie? – The Toy Story movies.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – George Washington.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Call (800) 337-1097 Ext. 104, email me at meldridge@sunflowermarketing.com, or visit our website at www.SunflowerMarketing.com.
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