Pasco promotion business helps other local businesses profit

Spotlight | Thread Art

LUTZ — Since Thread Art's start in 2003, owner Tiffanie Kellog has watched her promotion business grow. That, she said, is what she wants for her clients' businesses, too.

"My goal is to help my clients make more money," she said.

Using experience and what they learned while earning degrees in business, Kellog and her husband Rob, both 35, create promotional products their clients can use to promote their businesses or causes.

Thread Art can brand thousands of different items for clients, Kellog said, but picking the right one — one that will prompt people to buy more or more often from a business — requires research.

"Most entrepreneurs don't have the budget to do TV commercials or billboards, but they want to stay in front of their clients and get in front of potential clients," Kellog said. "It doesn't do you any good to invest hundreds of dollars in a product your (target audience) won't use."

One of Kellog's clients is a photographer whose target audience is people with kids.

"So we do outlet covers with her logo on them" — a product parents will actually use, Kellog said.

Another Thread Art client is a financial adviser. At first guess, a calculator with a logo on it sounds like the perfect product.

But at Kellog's urging, the adviser chose silicon brushes for basting meat because her potential clients are likely to grill out on weekends.

"It's about being visible," Kellog said. "That's why it's so important to pick the product that will stay in front of your target audience."

Other Thread Art clients have included car dealerships and charities. Popular promotional products include shirts with logos embroidered or screen printed onto them, and branded pens, cups, coffee mugs and magnetic koozies you can stick to a truck while you tailgate, Kellog said.

"We look at promotional products as a tool," she said. "You've got to plan your promotion so you profit."

For information about Thread Art, visit threadartfl.com or call (813) 948-7243.

Networking for women: "Gals Golfing and Networking: Nine and Wine" is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Golfer's Grail, 10019 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. To get information or to make a reservation, call (813) 996-6100 or email chris@cooper-financial.com.