I was inspired to reach out, beyond my limits of purely website and newspaper analysis. Instead, I took the initiative to contact and learn from the founder of a small entrepreneurial company, Direct Sports Apparel.
Direct Sports Apparel, or more commonly known as DSA, was Founded by Katie O’Connor and her father Kevin in 2010. Due to uncertainty of reliable hockey outfitters at reasonable cost, the team of two realized that there was an opportunity to create a one stop shop for teams and players and offer a comprehensive process that was easy and had high quality affordable clothing. The journey began with supporting local hockey teams throughout Ontario. Soon, however, Katie realized and seized a major opportunity by expanding the business to incorporate not only sports teams but also companies and events who wanted their logo on clothing.
Picture from right to left: Kevin O’Connor (Co-founder) and Katie O’Connor (Co-founder)
In an email, I asked Katie to explain the strengths of DSA, as well as explain the opportunities and projections she sees for her small company in ten years.
DSA always aims to bring the highest level of customer service to each client. Doing so by generating communication that is on a personal level, in order to appropriately guide the customer through a simple step by step process. Instead of having customers scroll through hundreds of options online, DSA will ask each client what their specific needs are and suggest items from their large network of brand name suppliers. Creativity is a major strength that Katie offers to her company. She believes that inspiration is in every aspect of the world and that imagination and creativity can exist in this market, to distinguish a team or company.
DSA looks for absolute simplicity for the customer, in order to make the process quick, efficient and easy. No more collecting order forms and money. They take care of it all.
The company has a wide range of athletes from both local and national levels, as well as organizational employees, who not only model their clothing, but also market and are spokesmen and women for the company and the product they trust.
DSA projects a major growth through their ability to be customizable and creative for sports teams uniforms and training gear at the local, national, and even international level as they are now having products worn by athletes at world championship events.
A quote taken from Katie this past weekend about her company in the next decade, “In 10 years, I see DSA being a major player in not only the rowing market but other elite sports such as cycling , running and canoeing in Canada. I think the same models and values we have now can be applied into any of these markets. I also see DSA being prevalent in US and European markets in these sports with sales reps throughout both areas.”
DSA is changing the face of team apparel, by not only raising the standards, but exceeding them to new limits.
For more information check out DSA’s website: http://www.directsportsapparel.com/
And follow them on twitter @DSA_inc
And on facebook @https://www.facebook.com/Direct.Sports.Apparel
Picture from right to left: Graham Schenck (Lightweight Senior National Rowing Team), Katie O’Connor (Co-Founder), Mark Russell Henry (Lightweight Senior National Rowing Team)