May 2, 2018
To celebrate National Small Business Week, the Port of Seattle is spotlighting successful small businesses in the region.
Gloria Rosario, the owner of Ideal Commercial Uniforms in Port Orchard, speaks about the challenges of managing a small business.
Ideal Commercial Uniforms provides uniforms, corporate apparel and promotional items to the Port of Seattle. We have a retail store that sells scrubs, school uniforms, safety apparel and other types of corporate or industrial apparel, like the visibility vests worn by employees in the Port marine maintenance division. Next to our retail store is our screen printing and embroidery offices where we process the custom orders. We also have a web store.
What’s the biggest challenge of being a small business?
If you are considered a small business, (sometimes) big businesses won't even consider your product offering just based on the fact that you have one or two employees. It's a misconception that your small business won't know how to process their order. A long time ago, I used to be a cook in a school lunchroom. It was easier to make 100 meals than it was to make one meal. The same goes for what I do now. It's easier to embroider 100 shirts than it is to embroider one shirt. As long as you have done all the prep work, everything will work out.
No one ever goes into business hoping to stay small — we all want our businesses to grow.
How has working with the Port of Seattle impacted your business?
Before working with the Port, we had a few small orders from other small businesses, and that was it. Once we started working with the Port, it gave us the credibility and confidence to pick up larger orders from medium to big businesses. It has helped us to grow our business in so many ways. No one ever goes into business hoping to stay small — we all want our businesses to grow.
The Port Small Business programs act as an incubator, to allow your business to work with the Port on small jobs, then keep growing as the work allows. The Port has identified areas where small businesses can participate. There is so much growth at the airport with lots of construction projects — more travelers means more of everything. I was over the moon when I found out that ICUniforms was selected as Small Business Champion in 2013. I thought, Wow, I just want to make sure we keep doing a good job for the Port. I am at the airport every week and I see someone wearing the hats or jackets that my business provided. It's an incredible feeling to know the Port has great confidence in your business.
Have you participated in any training sessions like PortGen workshops ?
Yes, I have attended the small business workshops. The more you know about the processes of the Port, the more you know what the Port needs, or what your business can offer to the Port. I would highly recommend that other businesses take time out of their day to attend the PortGen sessions. They are held at different locations so vendors can learn about opportunities available in other areas, not just the airport setting. It's also a great way to meet other vendors, share information and develop relationships.
Can you share your advice with other small business owners about working with the Port of Seattle?
I want other businesses to get involved in the PortGen sessions and am always inviting other small business owners to attend. If I see an opportunity coming up for another trade and I know another small business that can do that, I pass the information along. The Port has made a commitment to invest in small business. There are so many opportunities. When you are a small business, it just takes one order to make a difference!
