Impressions - April 2024 - 39

cial success, but the company's relationship
with the Somerville community as a whole,
where they regularly partner with local
service organizations, like Somerville Road
Runners, a group dedicated to providing
an inclusive environment for members to
enjoy the experience of running.
" Growing up in Somerville, I knew I
wanted to bring something to the community, "
Jabir says of this aspect of his business
philosophy and the way it affects how they
do things at VilleSide Customs.
The company's emphasis on its relationships
with customers and suppliers proved
especially important during the early days
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the
business suffered financially, Marck and Jabir
found that by increasing the importance of
online orders they were able to continue
operating. As part of this effort, Jabir also
hosted a series of live Facebook sessions
with a number of customers to not only
assure them of the business's strength, but
chat and build human connections in a
time of isolation.
Additionally, they partnered with and
advocated for a number of other local businesses
in order to ensure they all stayed
afloat. The result has been a tight-knit network
of business owners they know they
can call on in time of need. " We learned
a lot about ourselves, " Jabir says of those
challenging times.
In terms of the nuts and bolts of the business,
when Jabir started out in 2008, he had
a GS-24 Roland vinyl cutter, a laptop and
a heat press. When Marck came aboard and
the two acquired their current Somerville
storefront as part of their commitment to
establishing the business, they invested in
two M&R Sportsman six-station autos
and an M&R dryer and conveyor belt.
They also installed a Workhorse Products
exposure unit to further boost efficiency
and production capacity.
Most recently, they installed a new Barudan
multi-head embroidery machine
to accommodate the company's growing
embroidery business. During a recent visit,
the Barudan was in a middle of a job for
nearby Tufts University-evidence of the
revenue potential with this kind of decorating
tech. In the beginning, VilleSide
consisted of Jabir, Marck and three other
employees. Today the company employs
no less than seven full- and part-time staff.
Of course, with change comes opportunities
but also hardships. And as is the case
with many small businesses, Marck and
Jabir have, on occasion, not only found
themselves pushing themselves to the limit
in an effort to increase profitability, but
hustling to stay afloat.
" We are a mid-six-figure-a-year company,
and at the start of business we weren't making
enough to cover our salaries together, "
Marck says of the challenges he and Jabir
faced early on. " But we kept pushing. "
The good news is all that work is clearly
paying off, and a decade after forming
their partnership VilleSide Customs is now
among the largest custom print shops in
the town of Somerville. Marck and Jabir
have also been featured in a number of
interviews highlighting the work they've
done both with and for organizations across
the Boston area.
Looking ahead, the pair have a number
of goals in mind, including staying busy;
fostering the company's existing business
relationships; and continuing to expand
the company's abilities and capabilities, as is
evident in their recent Barudan purchase. At
present the products and services VilleSide
offer include screen printing, embroidery,
retail apparel and adhesive stickers. While
Marck and Jabir recognize some orders require
outsourcing, they prefer the assurance
of doing as much of the work as possible
in-house to ensure their costumers get
what they both want and need.
As for the many lessons they have learned
since going into business together, Marck
says, " Having the right business partner
means everything. Get a team that is here
for the growth of the business and get rid
of the lazy, unmotivated people. I honestly
couldn't have gotten this far without [Jabir]
and will always give him credit throughout
our future success, as we watch VilleSide
Customs flourish and continually grow year
after year while walking at a steady pace. "
" Without failure, you're not going to see
success. Be resilient, " Jabir says. Beyond that,
he adds, " Once the heat comes, I know I
have Marck with me. " 
Located in the heart of Somerville,
Massachusetts, being a part of the
wider community is one of the keys to
VilleSide's success. Photo by Adam Cort
A brand-new multi-head embroidery
machine serves as evidence of VilleSide's
continued growth and desire to do things
in-house. Photo by Adam Cort
April 2024
P.39
Impressions - April 2024

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