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Major Impression is a family affair

Free Lance-Star - 8/21/2017

Aug. 21--Army veteran Jim Broad was looking for a business that his family could be involved in and pass along to future generations.

The Stafford County resident's day job is in computer security, but he said that his son Mako's eyes glazed over when he mentioned starting a computer security business.

Instead, they started Major Impression, a company that designs and prints custom apparel such as T-shirts and other promotional items using such techniques as screen printing, embroidery and vinyl heat press in Stafford about 1 1/2 years ago.

"We like to do specialty stuff using glow-in-the-dark and reflective inks," Broad said.

The family initially rented space near Adventure Brewing on U.S. 1, but moved their business three months ago to 21 Commerce Parkway, which is behind Progressive Auto on U.S. 17. It will hold a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m.Sept. 27 that will feature giveaways and refreshments.

"It's a better location for the work we do and for our customers," Broad said.

He said that his son and his son's girlfriend, Emily Leinenbach, are "the driving force" of the business and are there daily. He and his wife, who has a degree in human resources, pitch in part time.

After a day spent working at a computer, Broad said that it's nice to do something physical that makes a product.

He spent 14 years on active duty and 13 in the reserves, which is why the company's name and part of its business has a military slant. He was a sergeant, but the family decided that major was a better choice for the business's name.

Among other things, Major Impression makes stickers, mugs and T-shirts bearing the logos of the Berlin Brigade, USAF Berlin and Berlin American High School, and sells them on its website, majorimpression.com. None of those units or the school exist now that the Cold War is over.

"We're able to recreate things folks can't get anymore," Broad said. "We're happy to bring those memories back."

The company also designs and makes apparel and promotional items for local groups, including Tour Stafford Virginia, the North Stafford High School JROTC and school groups that want to sell items as fund-raisers.

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(c)2017 The Free Lance-Star (Fredericksburg, Va.)

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