Paula Anderson

As a self-employed commercial realtor, Paula enjoys a great deal of schedule flexibility and earns a nice living. Her husband, David, loves his corporate career with Best Buy and intends to stay with them until he retires.

Paula and Dave were interested in establishing a family business that would allow them to continue their existing career paths, yet create a family business for their kids to participate in. They also wanted an equity building business model that has repeat and referral customers.

They found just the fit with Educational Outfitters. It's a retail business that provides school uniforms and spirit wear. They also offer athletic wear and corporate apparel (think golf shirts with company logos).

With Paula's sales and customer service abilities and Dave's retail background, they make a great team. Paula works "on" the business by focusing on building relationships with schools to ensure they have the right colors and uniforms in stock when the kids come to shop. Their employees work "in" the business and run the daily operations - serving the families who come to buy their school uniforms, doing screen printing and handling customer service. Dave is the behind-the-scenes guy monitoring the books and inventory. Neither Paula nor Dave works full-time in the business.

The kids roles? Well, all of the kids helped paint and get the store ready for opening. Today, their 15-year old daughter Lauren works on the floor selling, Jack is a stock boy and checks out customers and their youngest Grant, does a lot of the embroidery. As the business matures and the kids do to, there will be more for them to do to earn their keep!

So if your kids need uniforms or spirit wear - stop by their store in St. Louis Park on West 36th or give them a call at 952-927-6778. Not only are they ready to help, they donate 3% of sales back to your school!