| How Does A Store Start? |
| Central Florida Area Orlando Sanford Kissimmee |
| Owner Stephen Schaffer |
| Biography / Formalwear Experience: |
I started my journey with formalwear over 16 years ago in a production facility
for Gingiss Formalwear in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Within a year I was
promoted to General Manager. I have specialized knowledge about the
Orlando wedding market, along with the unique aspect of on-site service.
Along the way I learned everything about the industry from the grunge work to
hosting fantastic bridal shows. During my time at Gingiss I had the opportunity
to learn and work in:
Tuxedo Production
Inventory Control
Product Quality Control
Wholesale
Event Timing and Coordination
Delivery
Minor Tailoring
Customer Service
Management
Staff development
Bridal Show Planning and Management
I also had the distinct opportunity to work for two competitors Sacino’s and
After Hours (now MW Tux). Both of these experiences taught me a deeper
understanding for the industry and how fragile service can be when related to
a wedding or formal event. I gained appreciation for what was learned at
Gingiss, and what we could offer the customer that the other companies could
not. I now have the opportunity to bring all these experiences to you.
An educated specialist, not a mall employee who clocks out at the end of the
day. I am
someone who truly enjoys what they do and believes in the customer
experience. Don’t settle for another run of the mill “Fast Food” experience for
your wedding or event. Make your wedding / event personal & unique.
for Gingiss Formalwear in Altamonte Springs, Florida. Within a year I was
promoted to General Manager. I have specialized knowledge about the
Orlando wedding market, along with the unique aspect of on-site service.
Along the way I learned everything about the industry from the grunge work to
hosting fantastic bridal shows. During my time at Gingiss I had the opportunity
to learn and work in:
Tuxedo Production
Inventory Control
Product Quality Control
Wholesale
Event Timing and Coordination
Delivery
Minor Tailoring
Customer Service
Management
Staff development
Bridal Show Planning and Management
I also had the distinct opportunity to work for two competitors Sacino’s and
After Hours (now MW Tux). Both of these experiences taught me a deeper
understanding for the industry and how fragile service can be when related to
a wedding or formal event. I gained appreciation for what was learned at
Gingiss, and what we could offer the customer that the other companies could
not. I now have the opportunity to bring all these experiences to you.
An educated specialist, not a mall employee who clocks out at the end of the
day. I am
someone who truly enjoys what they do and believes in the customer
experience. Don’t settle for another run of the mill “Fast Food” experience for
your wedding or event. Make your wedding / event personal & unique.
| Contact for more information or to book an appointment Stephen Schaffer stephen@tux2u.com 407.267.3552 |
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Love, Care and Commitment: These are all important qualities in constructing a
store, especially one that has been sought after for so long. My journey into
opening a tuxedo store began over 12 years ago. Multiple attempts were made,
but always seemed to fall through at the last minute. Numerous people requested
to be a part of my journey, but they all fell to the wayside when their selfish
motives eventually began to show through. For several years I made many a
tuxedo company thrive with success, and through all of this I gave my all without
proper thanks or compensation.
An imperative ingredient that goes into making my dream a reality has been the
support I have received from friends and family. Throughout the years I
brainstormed, organized and eventually formulated a plan to make this store come
to life. All the while, my wife and most of my family were by my side. Continuing to
support me both emotionally and financially. Along the way I encountered a lot of
negativity and adversity, but in the end I had to overcome these obstacles. In the
end, take with you this bit of advice: Do not allow anyone to bring you down or take
your dreams away.
1998 - Research began to create a Gingiss store in Tennessee.
Fell through when initial funding was pulled by my father. (Later 3 stores
opened with in the next 2 years by another party)
2001 - Planned on buying a dry-cleaning drop store. The bank pulled the loan when
I could not secure a 7 year lease for the location.
2003 - Signed a contract to buy the Altamonte Springs Gingiss store with work
equity. The contract was rescinded a year later when Gingiss International
was bought out by After Hours. (I was now unemployed)
2007 - After many years of being incontinent at other jobs, I decided to start
Tuxedos To You as a home based business. Offering service right to the
customers home or location.
2009 - Business was slow with the home based business, so I chose to
offer consulting to tuxedos stores throughout Florida.
2010 - (September) It dawned on me late in the year that I was giving away to much
of my experience for too little. I consulted with my mom about opening a
store that provided both tuxedos and photography packages
(October) Looked at numerous locations for a store, before discovering the
perfect spot. (The old Gingiss Location)
(November) Started to negotiate the lease and consulted with my dad about
investing. After much consideration and investigating, it just didn't seem
feasible to have both products sold out of the same store front. I felt terrible.
(December) Approved for the lease on my own without assistance!
My father refused to provide some minor start-up funds, thus creating a
small issue with funds to open the store.
2011 - (January) Here is the month! We take over the space and start construction
on 01.24.11. Received a gift from one of my aunts to help defray the loss of
funds I was counting on from my father. One of my old friends who owns a
tuxedo store in north Florida, offered me some tuxedos to stock my store.
Jan 24.2011- Got the keys to the store, had a fiasco w/ progress energy.
Jan 27.2011- Power is finally on! Things are progressing steadily.
Jan 30.2011- Bridal show was a success!
Feb 07.2011- 13th anniversary, the store is a gift to both of us.
Look for photos on the side to see the advancement of the store
store, especially one that has been sought after for so long. My journey into
opening a tuxedo store began over 12 years ago. Multiple attempts were made,
but always seemed to fall through at the last minute. Numerous people requested
to be a part of my journey, but they all fell to the wayside when their selfish
motives eventually began to show through. For several years I made many a
tuxedo company thrive with success, and through all of this I gave my all without
proper thanks or compensation.
An imperative ingredient that goes into making my dream a reality has been the
support I have received from friends and family. Throughout the years I
brainstormed, organized and eventually formulated a plan to make this store come
to life. All the while, my wife and most of my family were by my side. Continuing to
support me both emotionally and financially. Along the way I encountered a lot of
negativity and adversity, but in the end I had to overcome these obstacles. In the
end, take with you this bit of advice: Do not allow anyone to bring you down or take
your dreams away.
1998 - Research began to create a Gingiss store in Tennessee.
Fell through when initial funding was pulled by my father. (Later 3 stores
opened with in the next 2 years by another party)
2001 - Planned on buying a dry-cleaning drop store. The bank pulled the loan when
I could not secure a 7 year lease for the location.
2003 - Signed a contract to buy the Altamonte Springs Gingiss store with work
equity. The contract was rescinded a year later when Gingiss International
was bought out by After Hours. (I was now unemployed)
2007 - After many years of being incontinent at other jobs, I decided to start
Tuxedos To You as a home based business. Offering service right to the
customers home or location.
2009 - Business was slow with the home based business, so I chose to
offer consulting to tuxedos stores throughout Florida.
2010 - (September) It dawned on me late in the year that I was giving away to much
of my experience for too little. I consulted with my mom about opening a
store that provided both tuxedos and photography packages
(October) Looked at numerous locations for a store, before discovering the
perfect spot. (The old Gingiss Location)
(November) Started to negotiate the lease and consulted with my dad about
investing. After much consideration and investigating, it just didn't seem
feasible to have both products sold out of the same store front. I felt terrible.
(December) Approved for the lease on my own without assistance!
My father refused to provide some minor start-up funds, thus creating a
small issue with funds to open the store.
2011 - (January) Here is the month! We take over the space and start construction
on 01.24.11. Received a gift from one of my aunts to help defray the loss of
funds I was counting on from my father. One of my old friends who owns a
tuxedo store in north Florida, offered me some tuxedos to stock my store.
Jan 24.2011- Got the keys to the store, had a fiasco w/ progress energy.
Jan 27.2011- Power is finally on! Things are progressing steadily.
Jan 30.2011- Bridal show was a success!
Feb 07.2011- 13th anniversary, the store is a gift to both of us.
Look for photos on the side to see the advancement of the store
| Mannequins Take over my house Jan 5th 2011 |
| Side shot of the sewing machine. |
An army of coats and vests from my friend
| Thank you!!! Wife - Ticy Schaffer Mom - Terri Schaffer Mother In Law - Polly Pitre Step Dad - John Padgett Aunt - Ann Slaghter Father In Law - Kennith Griffen Brother - Andrew Schaffer Marketing Guy - Karel Felipe |
| The 1st racks are up in only 2 hours! |
| Coming Soon! (Made by Wife) |
| Before... |