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Business & Tech

Screen Printing Business Built from Scratch

Sincere Legends has been operating in Hillsborough since 2008.

It started with the vision of two 20-somethings—to create their own clothing line.

And since 2008, Hillsborough-based Sincere Legends has handled the town's screen printing and other needs.

Sincere Legends was founded by West Virginia alums Nick Inghilterra, 26 and Allie Plaskon, 24. The company started while Nick, an advertising major, and Allie, a public relations major, were students at West Virginia University.

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The duo turned to local screen printing shops to have their early designs—titled "Duck, Duck, Legend," "The Skyline," and "The Hopscotch" – printed until the pair grew tired of relying on outside businesses and decided to purchase screen printing equipment of their own to grow their clothing line.

Securing finances was difficult at first, with Inghilterra having just graduated from college at the time and Plaskon still in the midst of her studies. However, the pair was able to rely on family to get their business off the ground.

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“Banks did not want to take the gamble on Sincere Legends for a business or a personal loan,” said Plaskon. “A loan from a family member helped us purchase the equipment we needed in February 2009 and Sincere Legends set up shop in Nick's basement.”

From there, an offer from a local school to print t-shirts for field trips led Sincere Legends to begin doing custom print work for schools, businesses and sports teams. Within a matter of months, custom orders became Sincere Legend's main business.  Now, Sincere Legends has clients all across the country and has worked with all major schools, businesses and sports teams in the area.

“(Doing custom print work) was something (we) had not thought of,” said Plaskon, “but with the equipment and supplies (we) had recently purchased, it was a great opportunity.”

The business was operated out of Inghilterra’s basement until this month, when it moved into a brand-new office space in Hillsborough Business Park after securing a small business loan from UCEDC. To celebrate, Sincere Legends has purchased new equipment and now offers heat press services and embroidery in-house in addition to screen printing, and also boasts a showroom in its new location full of samples and catalogs for prospective clients.

The expansion of Sincere Legends over the years has helped Inghilterra and Plaskon both find a niche within the community—one that had not been present in Hillsborough prior to the arrival of Sincere Legends.

“We started Sincere Legends as an indie clothing company but soon realized that there was a lack of screen printing companies in Hillsborough,” said Plaskon. “While the surrounding towns of Manville and Bridgewater are home to similar companies, there wasn't anything in Hillsborough. With Hillsborough as large as it is, we felt that putting down roots in Hillsborough would be the best for our business and the community.”

Sincere Legends certainly has not shied away from becoming a bigger part of that community. Plaskon stated that the company hopes to become even more immersed in youth sports sponsorships and charity events in the near future.

“We are beginning to get involved with the community more and more.  Each year we have sponsored a little league team.  This year we are helping to sponsor the Hillsborough Middle School Wrestling team,” said Plaskon. “We also donate a large amount of clothing locally each year.  We are always willing to do our part and help our community.  We understand the importance of charity and special events where donations are appreciated.”

Of course, it also helps that the Hillsborough community has been equally as open to the business.

“We feel that Sincere Legends has been graciously accepted by the community.  We are happy to say that we work primarily with Hillsborough-based clients,” said Plaskon. “ It is nice for us, living and working in the same community.  It has given us the opportunity to meet a lot of new people and to begin to build what we hope are long-term relationships for us personally and for Sincere Legends.”

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