Jim and Melody Woods of J2M Apparel take over clothes decorating, gym business
Jim and Melody Woods took seriously the idea that all great business ideas start roughly sketched on a napkin.
Jim’s idea for a Rainy Lake map T-shirt design several years ago has quickly blossomed into a whole different business venture.
Jim said he and former business partner Joe Van Guse drew a version of a T-shirt, including a map of Rainy Lake and facts about the border water, on a napkin over coffee. They brought the idea back to Jim’s wife Melody and she used her design experience to fine-tune the graphics.
J2M Apparel, as their lake map shirt company would be known, would become one of the largest customers of North Site Screen Printing.
About two weeks ago, the Woods purchased North Site, including the screen printing business and the adjoining gym.
“It only made sense being his top No. 1 customer in sales that we’d eventually move up to our own screen printing and take out the middle man; be more competitive and flexible in what we can produce,” Jim said.
They have changed the name of the screen printing business to J2M Apparel to reflect their already established brand identity in that business market.
They hope to add more lakes to their lake map T-shirts, as well as continue with the business operated by the previous owner, Mike DeBenedet.
DeBenedet will stay on to assist with the screen printing aspect of the business they add. The Woods say they simply can’t replace his 30-plus years of experience in screen printing. DeBenedet, along with other employees who are trained in various aspects of the business, will make for a smooth transition, they note.
Melody’s design experience will be a benefit for the screen printing side of the business, Jim said. She has done all of the artwork on the lake map shirts.
“We don’t like putting out designs that are borderline,” Jim said, noting they are now well-versed in what looks good on shirts based on their lake map business.
They describe the new business venture as they have their own line of designed shirts, but also do general decorated apparel, including shirts for many area school teams and companies. They also provide embroidery service.
The gym will be renamed Stride Fitness & Health. They have plans to update the facility throughout the next year.
They have already added a Zumba class and plan to continue to increase the selections of fitness classes they offer. Classes are open to members and non-members, and schedules are flexible as the Woods gauge turnout.
One of the first changes they hope to make in June is to provide 24-hour access to the facility for gym members.
They also hope to add a fresh coat of paint, move machines to increase the flow around the gym, replace equipment and better utilize a room above the gym over the next year.
Jim said they plan to run special pricing to increase their customer base and provide their current customers with incentives as well. He reminds those interested in the gym that several insurance companies offer reimbursements for gym memberships and Stride can check to see if a particular insurance is included. He also hopes to work with area businesses to increase the use of business memberships.
“We want anyone who wants to work out to be able to,” Jim said.
He said he had considered opening a gym in Fort Frances, so the combination of the two businesses he enjoys was a good fit for them.
“Fitness is fun. T-shirts are fun. It’s a fun business,” Jim said.
The number for gym and screen printing is 285-7143. E-mail for the gym is stridefitnesshealth@gmail.com and the e-mail for the screen printing and embroidery is info@j2mapparel.com. The business is located at 10 Shorewood Drive.
