The Smart Network for Business

The Smart Network for Business

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Ink Tees and TradeFirst:
Turning custom apparel into new customers, preserved cash, and lasting business relationships

Shawn McFaul, Owner
Member Since 4/2025

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Anita's Kitchen and TradeFirst:
Using Trade for Just About Everything

Joe Wegrzyn
Member Since 1/2008

Ink Tees and TradeFirst: Printing New Customers, Cash Savings, and Lasting Business Growth

Ink Tees Custom T‑shirts uses high-quality custom apparel to help businesses, teams, and events stand out with branded gear that people actually want to wear. As an active participant in the TradeFirst network, Ink Tees treats trade as a core growth tool rather than a side channel.

Expanding The Customer Base

By joining TradeFirst, Ink Tees gained access to a wide range of businesses specifically looking for custom apparel solutions. These connections have brought in new clients who likely would not have discovered Ink Tees through traditional marketing alone.

Preserving Cash While Investing

TradeFirst has allowed Ink Tees to conserve cash by using trade dollars for key purchases like a new sign and advertising instead of paying out of pocket. This approach frees up cash flow for other priorities while still investing in branding and visibility.

Driving Sales And Visibility

The additional trade-driven projects create new sales opportunities that strengthen Ink Tees’ bottom line and foster long-term customer relationships. With TradeFirst actively promoting its members, Ink Tees also benefits from extra marketing exposure, referrals, and repeat business within a trusted network of owners.

Built On Relationships And Growth

Working within the TradeFirst community allows Ink Tees to build lasting relationships with like-minded companies that value partnership and collaboration. These connections often grow beyond the initial trade into ongoing business, making TradeFirst a true growth engine that increases revenue, preserves cash, and keeps Ink Tees connected to new opportunities.

In short, Trade First has been more than just a barter system—it has been a growth engine that increases revenue, preserves cash, and connects my business to a powerful network of opportunities. I am confident that continued participation with Trade First will keep delivering value to my business for years to come.