We’ve featured so many great businesses on this Made in Kern County segment. Luigi’s, Woolgrower's, Buck Owen’s Crystal Palace. And where do they do to make sure their brand is being reflected the best way possible? Wall Street Imprintables, it's been around in Kern County for more than 36 years and Dominic Webby has been leading that charge since the beginning.
Dominic, who goes by his last name Webby tells us about his Boston roots, and how during his childhood he was known by his last name. We'll refer to Dominic, as Webby through out this story. "I’m a Boston boy and where I grew up everybody knew you by your last name.”
Today, everyone knows him by what he prints on your favorite t-shirts, but Wall Street Imprintables Webby says is so much more.
"People might just think it’s simple, you’re making t-shirts and hats but you put a lot of love and attention in this," 23ABC news anchor Tim Calahan tells Webby. "Tell me about the business," Calahan says.
"Well we started in 1980, and ever since we’ve been in the business it’s all been about custom," Webby said.
An idea that began in their original location above Guthery’s Alley Cat bar in wall street alley downtown. The location that spawned the name Wall Street Imprintables. Webby rooting his work in the belief that if you take care of the customer your business will grow.
"In the world we live in today everyone thinks they can get everything off the internet, but the internet doesn’t give you service, or personal touch," Webby says. "So what we try to do here is try to develop a relationship, because I feel a relationship first, then the sales come.”
And those sales have been growing over the last decade. The family business now expanding into a 10,000 square foot facility on east Brundage Lane, just off Highway 58.
And as Webby shows us around you quickly learn just how important his employees are to his operation. Fom the accounting and processing department, to art design. "This is basically where all the work is done," says Webby as he shows us some of Wall Streeet's latest print designs.
Then there's the massive production room, here the process plays out. A computer printing a design on a large screen,t hen going to the press. ”The ink that we use is a oil based, it has to go through the oven, so it has to be cooked, I like to tell everyone its like were making pizzas," says Webby and we watch a line of t-shirts enter to so called oven.
A complicated, and detailed process carried out by most employees who have been with the company for more than 10-years.
A commitment to excellence that has drawn hundreds of local companies to Wall Street Imprintables from legendary restaurants, international agricultural operations and local school districts and non-profits.
But Webby’s success didn't come without hardship, just as the business was getting off the ground Webby’s life took a dramatic turn. "When I started wall street I was a cocaine dealer, and I ended up going to federal prison because of the choices that I made, and while I was in prison I found Jesus," Webby told us.
He says his faith in Jesus Christ steered him in the right direction, and ultimately saved his business. "God gave me scriptures of what to do. So a lot of times when I feel like running away, when I feel the responsibility of the equipment, I don't want to carry the responsibility of all these peoples lives--God comforts my heart, and says He’s in control.”
Not only did Webby's business survive his turbulent past, so did his marriage. and now his two children, and extended family helping to run the business.
A Kern County business, running on faith, that has allowed Wall Street Imprintables to focus on making sure countless local companies look their best. ”Our job is to try and look out for our clients.”
A selfless design that was made right here in Kern County.
