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Former dental hygienists Toni and Simon Read have opted for a complete change of scene by taking over Trade Mark Embroidery.
The pair, formerly of Titirangi, are delighted to have the chance to engage in creative work and become their own bosses.
The business specialises in embroidering names and logos on all kinds of garments, including hats, shirts, jackets and hoodies for schools, sports clubs and businesses.
Toni admits that jumping into something entirely new is a bit nerve-wracking. But the business has done well in the past, largely through word-of-mouth advertising under former owner Barbara Sullivan.
Barbara has agreed to stick around for a month or two to help the couple find their feet and has no doubt they will succeed.
“They have got the right attitude – lots of enthusiasm and they enjoy relating to people,” she says.
Since Toni and Simon took over, the business has moved from Hepburn Street to the basement of a house at 70 Pulham Road.
Simon thinks Warkworth is the perfect location.
“It’s a growing town – which is good for business – but it’s still got that community feel to it as well,” he says.
The couple also like the fact that they are closer to family and within striking distance of great beaches.
Currently, Trade Mark Embroidery has one four-head and two one-head embroidery machines.
They handle orders for embroidering hundreds of garments, but are also happy to do one-offs. They can also take care of clients’ needs for screen printing and heat-transfer printing.
Already the pair are thinking of ways to expand their business through acquiring more embroidery machines and the creative use of advertising and social media.
“We don’t want to be restricted to Warkworth. We would like to branch out more and take the business further afield.” Toni says.
