March 2014
| Business World Magazine | 79
trial park.
“There are people who’ve told me they
wouldn’t set foot into a mall, but they come
to our stores.”
Going forward, Bean says the company
is seeking to expand its footprint into the
Canadian market while deciding internally
whether to expand the product line to in-
clude new items or to remain plugged ex-
clusively into its lucrative niche. Either way,
though, the aim is to be considered a world
leader in garment decorating.
“That’s what our objective is, regardless of
where it takes us,” Bean says. “We want to be
the front line for the customer when it comes
to direct-to-garment printing, embroidery
and silk-screening. And if we can’t provide
what the customer is looking for, we’ll be
able to recommend a solution for them.”
And no matter the destination, fun will
be the mandate.
“It’s all about having fun,” says Bean, who’s
referred to on the company website as Chief
Executive Frog. “I came out of retirement to
do this, and if you’re not having fun at some-
thing you should do something else. Each
time we award a franchise, we give someone
a chance to create their own destiny. That’s
about the best feeling you can get.
“These people have put down a lot of
money and it’s our job to make sure that
they’re successful.”
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
Big Frog Custom T-Shirts
WHAT:
Retailer of custom T-shirts,
sports shirts, tank tops and sweat-
shirts, as well as other clothing and
accessories
WHERE:
Headquarters in Dunedin.
Fla.; franchises in 20 states
