It was a love for design and commitment to her community that inspired Kim Puddicombe to launch her new business. As of this month, KIMBO Print will be serving Portage la Prairie and the surrounding area with custom printed apparel and promotional items.
Puddicombe says it was the right time to turn her creativity into a business.
“I was in the potato industry for 20 years, and I decided to take a different path,” she reflects. “I thought to myself, ‘What a perfect time to test the waters in this business’.”
A naturally creative person, she says the design aspect of her business provides her opportunities to both think outside the box and transmit her ideas to customers.
“For me to be able to bring my ideas or someone else’s ideas to life is a satisfying feeling,” she says.
KIMBO Print offers design creation, vinyl apparel printing, embroidery and DTF (Direct to Film) printing.
A small or medium-sized business, for example, might want to have their logo printed on a few hundred promotional items for a summer campaign. Another might prefer their wordmark embroidered on a lawn chair, or t-shirts made up for give-aways or a special event.
Individuals, too, are welcome to bring their ideas to KIMBO Print.
“I have a folder you can look through to see the different font and size options,” says Puddicombe. “It’s endless. And for embroidery, colour-wise you’re only limited to the colours of the threads.”
She explains that she does mock-ups for her customers so they can see the font, the colours and the actual merchandise itself.
Puddicombe says that she strives to have orders completed within two days of confirmation of the mock-up, although it can take a few days longer if additional inventory has to be ordered.
“If I’m creating the actual design for the customer, it might take a little bit longer, depending on what they’re looking for and the size of the order. But once the customer has confirmed, I get started right away.”
As a reward for customer loyalty, Puddicombe also has a promotion of her own: KIMBO Bucks.
“KIMBO Bucks is a rewards program we offer, where for every $20 you spend before taxes you receive a dollar in KIMBO BUCKS. Then you can use the KIMBO Bucks on your next order,” she explains.
Consider it a give-back to a community she loves.
“Portage has always been very important to me,” she says. “I hope in the future KIMBO Print will contribute to economic growth and be a factor in the overall well-being of our great community.”
As of April 30, KIMBO Print will be located at 435 8th St NW in Portage. Prospective customers can also visit the KIMBO Print website or connect with them on Facebook. They can also be reached by calling (204) 871-7921 or by emailing kimboprint@gmail.com.