TMEZ-1504Shark Creek Graphics started as a small side hustle in a backyard shed, helping the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® with patches, apparel, and merchandise. Today, it’s a thriving veteran-owned embroidery and apparel decoration shop serving both the CVMA® and local businesses. With high-quality equipment like Tajima embroidery machines, Shark Creek has elevated its production, improved stitch quality, and expanded its offerings — all while staying true to its roots of craftsmanship and community. In this blog, we take a closer look at the journey, the tools that made it possible, and what’s next for this growing business.
The Story Behind Shark Creek Graphics
About the business, founder’s journey, and what sets them apart.
Why Tajima Became the Engine of Our Embroidery Success
Experience with Tajima & Hirsch Solutions, machine choice, and benefits to quality and productivity.
Creating the CVMA® Back Patch: A Labor of Love
The story behind the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® project, techniques, and significance.
How High-Quality Equipment Fueled Growth and Opportunity
Business expansion, new capabilities, and the impact on customers and product offerings.
What’s Next for Shark Creek Graphics
Future goals, upcoming projects, and focus on expanding embroidery offerings.
"In the end I trusted Tajima more for the quality of the machine and the service/support after the sale."
1. Can you tell us a little about Shark Creek Graphics — how you got started, what you specialize in, and what kind of customers you typically serve?
"Shark Creek is here today because of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association® (CVMA®). In 1997 I started work at a plastics factory in Flippin, Arkansas called Ark-Plas Products Inc. General factory work. A small factory, but growing, opportunity allowed me to move up through department supervisor to production management in short time. Here I capitalized on company need with my growing graphics and programming skillset to create what would be my job title for more than 15 years… Projects Manager. Basically, I found areas of the company to improve with better procedures and technology. The gentleman who owned the company is a Vietnam Veteran and one of the founding members of the CVMA. He served on the board of directors for the CVMA for eight years. In the beginning days and through his entire run on the board, I was his go to for anything to help, create, or improve within the CVMA. I helped design artwork, build web sites, make ID cards, streamline processes, etc. As the CVMA grew, the demands of the volunteers at every level increased as well. When the “official store” for the CVMA became more than the original volunteer wanted to handle, I threw my hand up as a solution. November 2007 began my side hustle of managing the CVMA Store. After years of operating on a handshake agreement, the first contract was on the table, and I needed an LLC to represent my side. Shark Creek Graphics LLC is born in August 2013. All product was purchased from outside vendors, managed and resold through the CVMA Store to our members. Still a side hustle, I started looking at manufacturing to support the needs of the CVMA swag. As so many do, I started with a heat press. Then a small decal printer, then my first employee to help a growing product offering and the desire to increase in-house production. All of this started in my den, then a small shed in the back yard. I continued operating solely for the CVMA for a few more years. Then a friend needs something I can do. Then another friend’s business needs some shirts. The local school has a theme night for football. More local business is coming on board. In 2016 I moved the company out of my house to a brick-and-mortar rental in a larger town 20 miles away. Hired two more employees and started pushing local business a little. I continued to expand our in-house production capabilities, slowly and effectively. I left the plastics factory in 2017 to work Shark Creek full time. My day job as the Operations Manager at Ark-Plas and a growing Shark Creek were both demanding more of my time. It was bittersweet leaving the company I enjoyed so much and the ownership who became more of a brother-in-arms than a boss. But, it was time to focus 100% on Shark Creek! In 2019 I purchased the property where Shark Creek now resides and in 2023 added additional 2,000 sq ft to the building to bring our total floor space to 5,280 sq ft. And we need more already. The CVMA is the biggest part of our business, but the local side of the business gains in ratio year over year. Our product offerings include apparel, signage, drink ware, caps, engraved awards, and embroidered patches. We locally serve schools, hospitals, churches, non-profits, and individuals. No job too large or too small."
2. What inspired you to get into embroidery and apparel decoration in the first place?
"Embroidered patches have been the staple of our product line since the beginning. We used the same vendor for nearly 18 years. The vendor was dependable and provided great service. Natural evolution of small business could easily predict our move to bring embroidery in house. After building our capabilities with every other production need, embroidery was last on the list. Better control of quality and production schedules were top reasons to do this for ourselves."
3. What types of projects or products do you enjoy creating most?
"Embroidery is my favorite now. Probably because it’s the newest and I so very much enjoy learning new skills."
4. What led you to choose Tajima embroidery machines for your business?
"I spent several months researching machines. Tajima and Ricoma were my top two. I then visited the Lab in Ft Worth and the Deco Summit in Miami. In the end I trusted Tajima more for the quality of the machine and the service/support after the sale."
5. Which Tajima model(s) are you currently running, and how have they performed for you so far?
"TMEZ-1501 and TMEZ-1504. We were thrown to the deep end on day one. Our plan to learn at a reasonable pace over time was not an option. The TMEZ models gave us the best path to production quality and speed with the automatic tension and presser foot control. A few hiccups, but good support by phone and on site has kept us running (not walking) since day one."
6. How did your experience working with Hirsch Solutions go — from purchase to training and support?
"Very easy process. Jeff has always been quick to reply to my questions. Support by phone has worked well for us thus far and service tech Jason lives 8 miles down the road."
7. In your opinion, what makes Tajima stand out compared to other embroidery machines you’ve used or considered?
"Global reputation tipped the scales for Tajima. My first 10 months have confirmed this."
8. Has the Tajima helped you increase productivity, improve stitch quality, or take on new types of work? If so, how?
"Embroidery in general has for sure. Tajima as the brand gives us a solid production platform on which to build. We are still perfecting production processes in this new area for us. I do see opportunity to expand our product line when we find the best groove to satisfy our current demand."
9. The Combat Vets Association piece you created looked incredible — can you tell us the story behind that project?
"The design was created back in 2000. It evolved slightly in the first few years and has been the circle logo you saw for most of our 25 years. The skull and spade part (Skully) was a piece of art hanging in the mechanic garage of one of the early members of the CVMA. It became the foundation of the official logo. In the world of motorcycle groups, the back patch is the primary patch, but a motorcycle vest can have so many more patches. Road names, officer positions, event patches, memoriam patches, military patches, etc."
10. What techniques or materials went into producing it, and how did your Tajima help bring it to life?
"We outsourced digitizing for this piece in the beginning. From that, minor tweaks to achieve the best quality product has been an ongoing challenge. The right application of twill, backing and heat seal all contribute the final product. Thankfully the Tajima is a stable variable in the equation."
11. Was that project especially meaningful or challenging for you in any way?
"The back patch is the primary product for the CVMA. All other patches are supplemental to the back patch. It is our identity as a group. Making this product with top shelf quality is our goal every day. We’ve stumbled along the way but have always found a better way to keep our goal in sight."
12. How has investing in high-quality equipment like Tajima helped your business grow or reach new customers?
"Our commitment to the current demand is holding all our attention for now. We do see opportunity for new business, through new products and new customers, supported by our Tajima machines."
13. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to another shop owner considering making the jump to Tajima or Hirsch?
"I am in a rural area and one of just two embroidery shops in town, and our operations are notably different. If I could go back to the start of this journey, I would ask Jeff to connect me with a shop making patches that is willing to explain the hows and whys they do what they do. We jumped into this blind. No experience, only expectations. It’s been a fun, but also stressful adventure. I chose the TMEZ because of it's automatic features – one less thing I need to learn. I really did not know how big a deal this would be. Jeff offered great advice, only parts of which I truly understood."
14. What’s next for Shark Creek Graphics? Any exciting new projects, goals, or directions for the business?
"Perfecting our production processes in embroidery are sharp focus right now. The right machines with the right people are crucial for efficient operation. The rest of the shop is a well oiled machine. Embroidery will get there with determination and a little patience. Opening new product lines based on embroidery will be a big deal for us, both in the Combat Vets Store and to our local customers."
15. Where can people find and follow your work online (website, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)?
"SharkCreek.com is an information site showing a little of what we do and how to contact us. CVMAStore.net is our main online store, mostly for the CVMA membership, but we do have some product available to the public."