Suisun City family business honored

By Reporter Staff

Teams by Design, a family business located on Suisun City's up-and-coming waterfront business district, has been named the region's 2006 Small Business of Year. Honored at the recent California Small Business Day gathering in Sacramento, the firm, owned by Connie Tualla and her husband, Ed, was nominated by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, D-Solano.

"The Tuallas have a strong ethic and a strong sense of community," noted Wolk. "They support the Suisun Little League, the local Boy Scouts. They are active in local chambers of commerce. They are a model local business."

The couple started the company in 1999, specializing in custom embroidery and silk screening. They ran the business out of their home in Vacaville until December 2001, when they opened a store on the waterfront in Suisun City.

"We wanted to have our own retail storefront," said Connie Tualla. "So we worked with a consultant, put together a business and finance plan, and made it happen."

Expansion is already in the updated business plan, she said. They continually add new local customers and recently signed a nationwide contract.

Chuck Eason, director of Solano Community College's Small Business Development Center, said the couple gives back, which is a smart business practice. "The Tuallas are very active in their community," he said. "I've worked with them for nearly two years. They are great clients and big supporters of our program, always there to help other entrepreneurs."