Wausau Pilot & Review

Editor’s note: This sponsored weekly feature shares the stories of locally-owned and operated businesses and organizations in the Wausau area, highlighting the products and services they offer and the ways they contribute to the metro area’s unique flavor. Learn how to feature your business by emailing [email protected].

This week’s featured business is Mada Custom Apparel, 5533 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, which has served thousands of customers throughout central Wisconsin over the past 23 years. Mada was established in 1999, offering quality decorated promotional items and apparel ranging from corporate casual to team uniforms, sporting goods, awards and much more. Bernie and Stacy Plummer purchased the business in March 2020. But Bernie is no stranger to the business, having spent about 10 years working for the prior owners before taking the reins. Stacy, who had a long career in finance, joined Bernie to help manage the family business, complemented by a dynamic team that includes Wendy Cychosz in inside sales, and both Carol Iwinski and Travis Kornowski in outside sales. Mada Custom Apparel is an enterprising company that credits its success to the dedication of their more than 15 employees along with their clear, ongoing commitment to provide superior products and customer service, while continuously giving back to the community. Whether you’re looking for corporate apparel, school spirit wear, special event or recreational league items, the Mada team can can assist you. Bring in your own custom logo, choose a stock design or let the in-house graphics department create a design with a quick turnaround time – making this company a clear winner every time. From screen printing to high end tackle twill, state-of-the-art large sublimation equipment and a large number of stock designs, this team is ready to outfit your team today. You won’t be disappointed! Here, Stacy shares the couple’s vision for the business and their commitment to the people of central Wisconsin. Read on!

Give me a brief history of your background. What led you to this career? 

My husband, Bernie, worked for the prior owners for about a decade. He spent those years learning various components of the business, from graphic design to sales and more, before the opportunity to buy the family owned company arose.  I moved to central Wisconsin after college graduation to pursue a career in finance at a local paper mill. I stayed there for almost 16 years before leaving my preivous employer to help run the family business.      

Tell us about the products you offer. 

We offer decorated apparel, uniforms and spirit wear along with awards and promotional products. Corporate, school spirit wear, special event or recreational leagues, we can print to your every need. We pride ourselves as the supplier of quality sporting goods and related equipment to schools, leagues, teams and individuals. We also offer pro quality team uniforms for area teams including recreational leagues, and plenty of specialty items such as team plaques and trophies as well as corporate recognition gifts. Realizing awards are precious to each individual we can suggest the most appropriate awards for your event.

What is your number one favorite product that you sell?

Custom decorated t-shirts, long-sleeved tees and sweatshirts are the most requested products, but we have a lot more to offer. The most unique thing we’ve printed is a plane instrument panel!

What do you love most about being in business in central Wisconsin? 

Bernie has lived most of his life here in Central Wisconsin, so for him, this has been and continues to be home. We love the community support we see for local businesses, and we love being able to give back to the community we live in.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve had to overcome, and how did you do it?

We took over as owners in March of 2020, just before the Covid pandemic really hit our area.  It was a challenge to overcome the adversity we had faced in the last two years.  Currently, like most businesses, we are still trying to overcome the staffing challenges, inflation impacts and supply chain issues. As owners, you have to mentally prepare for all the unexpected, the ups and downs and manage to the best of our ability. We did and continue to do what is necessary to keep Mada in our community. Some days that meant days and nights being here as a family to ensure we met our customers deadlines. Our sales team felt the impact as well, putting in extra hours to work with our suppliers and customers to ensure the customers’ orders could be fulfilled to the best of our ability.  Our entire staff had to make adjustments given the circumstances.  It was a team effort and we are grateful to have an amazing one.

What do you wish more people knew about your business, or what you do?

Our ability to offer a wide range of products and services that include screen print, embroidery, sublimation, sporting goods, awards, promotional products.  We strive to give our customers the quality and customer service they deserve, and we love what we do.  We hope Mada continues to grow within our community and surrounding areas and be the first place you think of when you are looking for custom apparel and products. 

Connect with Mada Custom Apparel

Hours:

  • Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.