Pete Schug,
Sharon Schug, Susie Whitlock, Jean Dispennett, and Cheryl Hall
SchugAwards.com
Chamber
Small Business of the Month for August
Sponsored by Lafayette Savings Bank
It was 32 years ago that Pete Schug, then a Jefferson High School teacher
and swim coach, came home and suggested to his wife Sharon that they buy an
awards business that was for sale. “No,” said the busy mother of Brad, 8,
and Julie, 5.
Began
Business in Home Basement
The next thing the former medical secretary knew, she was down in the
basement of their home, using a hand engraver to spell out names on trophies and
plaques. She’s been at it ever since, although the working conditions and
equipment have dramatically improved, and
the product line greatly expanded.
“In 1976, Pete was buying trophies from Rohr Engraving, and Carl Rohr
wanted to sell the business,”
Sharon
recalls. When he brought the idea home, she said, “I’m not doing that.”
Then they borrowed money from her parents—“They didn’t think it would go,
but they loaned us money anyway”—and the couple was in business as Schug
Trophy.
Sharon
worked all day. Pete, who left coaching that year, spent the day teaching
science, biology and zoology, then headed for the basement after school. “For
two to three years, I engraved 12 to 14 hours every day,”
Sharon
recalls.
Expanded on
30th Street
in 1984
After seven years as a basement business, they bought a 4,000-square-foot
building at
2229 S. 30th St.
in
Lafayette
. They completely renovated it. Pete created two first-class showrooms. They
added thousands more products—custom-made awards, clocks, flags and poles,
gifts, jewelry, key rings, etched glassware, vases, portfolios, mirrors, desk
accessories, outdoor cast plaques and signs, and advertising specialty items.
Throughout it all, they built and maintained a loyal customer base. “We
try to help our customers any way possible,”
Sharon
says.
Maurie Denney, retired athletic director from
Jefferson
High School
, can attest to that. “They always put their customers first,” he says.
“They go out of they’re way to take care of you. They’re good people,
absolutely deserving of this recognition.”
Despite her initial “no,” today, she says, “The business has always
been a positive thing. Customers are so upbeat about coming in here for what
they’re doing.”
This month, the Chamber honors the business, now known as SchugAwards.com
(474-0002, 477-0200, www.schugawards.com)
as the August Small Business of the Month.
Why the name change? “That was when all the ‘dot coms’ were coming
out,”
Sharon
says. It drew attention to their business, even though they were far more than
a virtual company. And, fortunately, their ‘dot com’ survived the bust that
so many didn’t.
She does, however, use the business’ website to promote
fine gift items and specials.
‘Every
Day a Positive Experience’
Today, the company employs three full-time and two part-time.
“Every day is a positive experience,”
Sharon
says. “I love the camaraderie. We enjoy each other’s company. I have
wonderful employees who have been here a long time.”
That allows her to travel to
Florida
to visit Pete, who retired from the business in 2001 and now must live in a
warm climate because of his health.
Unique
Capabilities
The business has also expanded beyond that single hand engraver from the
early days. Today, it’s equipped with three robotic engravers, a digitalizing
system, a machine for engraving odd-shaped bowls and jewelry, a laser system,
and a color sublimation system used with color photographs.
Also, the business is open to engraving items customers bring in, if they
fit on its machines.
Knowing that her products end up pleasing other people is another positive
aspect of the business,
Sharon
says. “An award is a prestigious portion of one’s life, and the best part
of it is the presentation. Being recognized in front of people is a
remembrance.”
Community
Benefactor
SchugAwards.com is a frequent supporter of community organizations,
schools and events, from the March of Dimes to Greater Lafayette Recreational
Soccer, Taste of Tippecanoe, the Colt World Series, Food Finders Food Bank,
United Way
and Family Services, among many others.
________________________________________________________________________________
Nominate
a Small Business!!
The Small Business of the Month Award is open to Chamber members who own or
co-own a business that has 25 or fewer employees, been in business for a minimum
of three years, and the business or it’s owner has a history of community
involvement. Nominations may be
submitted to the Chamber of Commerce for consideration by the Small Business
Selection Committee. Nomination
forms are available on the Chamber
of Commerce website or call the Chamber,
742-4041
. All
monthly winners will be eligible for the Small Business of the Year Award
presented in January.
The
Small Business of the Month is sponsored by
Lafayette Savings Bank.
