1993 was a good year!!! It is the year the Corporate Mark journey began!
Welcome to Corporate Mark Inc. It has been a journey that's for sure!!!!
Corporate Mark Inc. came to life in October of 1993.
After dreaming of owning my own company my entire life, in 1993 I decided it was either now or never.
I was a single mom with two small children. Trying to always include my children in our life decisions I sat them down and asked them what they thought, my son's reply was, "Mom, I know you can do it!" And the rest is history!
History yes, but not without many rough patches along the way. I always learned from the mistakes and continued forward never letting the obstactles keep me from continuing my dream. My long time friend, Jim Braaten was always there to support me when I struggled reminding me to never give up! Thank you Jim, without you I would not be here today!
In 1996 I hit a financial hardship and went to Wells Fargo, my bank at the time, and asked for a loan. They said 'NO"! I was devastated as I thought my dream was over. I called Western Bank, a small private bank and asked to speak with a loan officer. I made an appointment with loan officer Carol Maloney. I explained my hardship and explained in detail my plan to make it thru the hardship. She believed in me, gave me the loan and she is the reason I am still in business today! Thank you Carol, I couldn't have done it without you!!!!!
For many years Josh Kadrie ran my embroidery shop. We worked hard together and little by little were able to add more machines. He was like a son to me and in 2008 he got melanoma and passed away. He was only 28. I was devastated and struggled to keep going. He had taught me so much and told me when he was dying that he would help me as much as he could from heaven and he did! Thank you my beautiful son/employee, I couldn't have made it with out you! I love you to the moon and miss you everyday!!!
Yes, there have been many days during the last 28 years I didn't think I could keep going, but with support from my customers and friends I made it! I believed in myself and continued to keep my head in the game.
Besides running my business I also dispatched for Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Maplewood Police Dept. and St. Croix County Sheriff's Office to help make ends meet. Many days I barely slept but I knew this is what I had to do to continue my dream.
In 2005 I married the love of my life! He is a law enforcement officer and has been my strength and support for the last 16 years. Thank you to the love of my life, I couldn't continue without you!!!
My tag line has always been "Integrity for Longevity" and I have held strong to that all these years and will continue until the end.
It has been quite the journey. I have met so many folks over the years and learned so much.
I thank all of my customers who have believed in me to make their projects/events/corporate branding a success! I thank all of my vendors/factories/manufacturers who have worked with me to keep our quality top notch and produce exactly what our customers ask for.
I am blessed beyond measure and will never take it for granted. I thank God everyday for folks who were there for me and gave me the strength to keep going. I will be indebted to them forever.