We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Juzar “Jazz” Sulemanji. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Juzar “Jazz” below.
Alright, Juzar “Jazz” thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Yes, I am very happy as a business owner. At times it is very stressful since you don’t know when the next order is coming in. You still have bills to pay and still have employees to pay. When times get stressful, I think about selling and getting a full-time job. That thought goes away as fast as it came in. I love the flexibility owning a business provides.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My family and I came to USA in 1973 as refugees from Uganda, Africa. We had 90 days to leave the country or face severe consequences from the ruthless dictatorship of Idi Amin. A Lutheran church sponsored us, and we arrived in the US with only the clothes on our backs. If it was not for the Lutheran church, I am not sure where we would be. My father was trying to support four small kids and going from job to job. In 1983, he saw an ad in the newspaper for a franchise opportunity. With $3.000 in his pocket, my father talked to the owner of T-shirts Etcetera. They wanted $10,000 to get him started, but they had sympathy for my father’s situation and they discounted the franchise fee and helped to get him on his feet. They even helped to supply him with pre-owned equipment. Several years later, I received a tennis scholarship and attended and graduated college in 1991. At the time, the business was going through lean times and struggling. I took over in 1991 and grew it to what it is today. We currently have two additional stores as franchises that my nephews operate, and we are planning to have more stores in the future.
Our business consists of screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, banners, signs, and much more. We work, for example, with many schools, little leagues, small businesses, churches and many other organizations..
I still try to do business with a handshake and a smile. Trust is a huge part of my business. You can place an order with me online and I will never ask for a deposit. You pay when you pick up your order. My customers enjoy the convenience of placing an order. 85% of my customers are repeat or they have recommended someone to us.
I am most proud of providing my nephews an opportunity to own their own business.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When Covid hit, it placed many businesses in dire straits. We were severely impacted since we provide goods for large gatherings like conventions, little leagues and so forth. None of that was happening, but I still needed to pay my employees and bills. We had faithful repeat customers that helped us significantly by placing orders for items that they would not need until many months later. That helped us to make it through the lean times.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
We are known for fast turnaround times. In this business, it normally takes 7-10 days to get things done. I get calls every day from someone who forgot to order jerseys for a baseball tournament or the company that they used dropped the ball and can’t provide the uniforms that they need. That is when I am able to come in and help.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tshirtsetchouston.com
- Facebook: T-shirts Etcetera Houston
- Instagram: tshirtsetchou