Built By Battle, LLC (BXB) has been a client of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since 2015.
Owner Danny Smith created BXB to offer quality t-shirts, baseball tees, tanks, and sweatshirts for both men and women. When an individual wears the BXB apparel, it’s a message that battles have been faced and life challenges have been tackled. The apparel reflects BXB’s optimistic messages “for the everyday fighter.”
Like his customers, Smith has faced hardships in life and understands what a positive mindset can do. He wants to remind those who face challenges that they have the BXB network available to support them.
BXB is a family of people from all walks of life who strive to become better versions of themselves. Smith wants his company to empower those who are going through a difficult time through the BXB brand.
To aid in the progress of BXB, Smith has received help from the SBDC and Director Jo Ann DiMaggio May. She has provided direction and answered all of his business questions and needs.
“My experience with the SBDC and Jo Ann has been awesome,” Smith says. “She is always there to respond to my questions and has provided many useful resources. I even refer my entrepreneurial friends to the SBDC because of the help I’ve received.”
May is acquainted with Smith from his work at her father’s business, DiMaggio’s Italian Restaurant. “Danny is full of passion and drive. It has been a pleasure to know and assist him in achieving his business aspirations. I look forward to helping BXB grow and succeed,” says May.
Smith had been recently exploring ways to purchase screen-printing equipment to do in-house printing to meet demand and improve customer service.
He found the necessary equipment through Jill Dorsey. The two business owners had several discussions about the equipment and something exciting happened - a new business was created, Plum Creek Printing Co.
BXB and Plum Creek Printing have joined forces to improve both parties. Smith will operate Plum Creek Printing as senior business manager and manage it as a separate entity. As a result, he will be able to access the screen-printing equipment to produce BXB products.
Plum Creek Printing currently offers custom apparel and accessories, embroidery, vinyl products, digital printing, full color wall wraps, and more. Plum Creek Printing is located in the Plum Creek building near Mike Shannon’s Grill at 871 South Arbor Vitae, Ste. 004 in Edwardsville.
With this arrangement, Smith will be able to successfully print in-house and have his hands touch every product delivered under the BXB label. His vision is stronger than ever, and he is excited to pursue his new business objectives.
Smith and co-host Scott Short have also created a BXB podcast, available free of charge on iTunes and Stitcher. Smith invites diverse guests with a unique perspective on life to discuss their hardships and triumphs. This is just another way BXB is a source of optimism for life.
To learn more about BXB, contact danny@builtbybattle.com or builtbybattle.com. BXB is also available on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Contact Plum Creek Printing at 618-307-9937, on Facebook or plumcreekprinting.com.
The Illinois SBDC for the Metro East assists start-up ventures like Built By Battle, as well as existing businesses headquartered in the nine-county region of Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and SIUE as a service to Illinois small businesses.
By aiding entrepreneurs and companies in defining their path to success, the SBDC network positively impacts the Metro East by strengthening the business community, creating and retaining new jobs and encouraging new investment. It enhances the region’s economic interests by providing one-stop assistance to individuals by means of counseling, training, research and advocacy for new ventures and existing small businesses. When appropriate, the SBDC strives to affiliate its ties to the region to support the goals and objectives of both the SIUE School of Business and the University at large.
To learn about the SBDC, contact theIL SBDC for the Metro East at SIUE at (618) 650-2929.