A downtown Mesa home business is leaving its mark on everything from local sports teams to local celebrities.

STATS Custom Creations, owned and operated by Tauna Hutchinson, has become a destination for personalized promotional products, ranging from apparel and hats to banners, stickers, car decals and more. 

"Scott, my husband, wanted to start a clothing line for his body building business, IRON attitude,” Tauna said. “So we bought a small four-color screen-printing press just for his apparel line." 

As demand grew beyond Scott's personal venture, the couple recognized the business potential and decided to make it their full-time endeavor. 

“Before you know it, we bought a bigger press, added vinyl to the mix, then embroidery,” Tauna said. ”Now we are still going stronger than ever and have to figure out the next step to expansion." 

Adapting to market trends has been crucial for their business.  

"Depending on the customer, each industry has their own trending needs," co-owner Scott Hutchinson said. 

He said the business has a cyclical nature. 

“There are endless markets we deal with, so luckily that keeps us steady,” he said. “When one drops off, another starts, and the cycles keep going." 

Tauna said the most exciting customer collaboration was when Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas’ family contacted them to make shirts for them to wear during World Series. 

“That was pretty cool,” he said. “Although we didn't see them on TV, we did see them on social media with Alek Thomas in the picture next to them." 

The couple looks to make efficiency a cornerstone of their operation.  

“I make sure I text instead of talk on the phone, unless necessary,” Scott said. “This way I can have all conversations in writing. So if I'm questioning something I know was discussed, I go back to my texts.” 

He emphasized the importance of upfront discussions on pricing and payment to ensure a smooth order fulfillment process. 

Grace Monos is a journalism student at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.  We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.