ROSEBURG, Oregon – Oregon Serigraphics (ORS) is a premier designer and print technical shop located in Roseburg. Stephanie Lafleur and Jean Wall have owned and operated the shop since February 2015. Lafleur has a love for graphics arts and a true passion for paying it forward. Purchasing an existing shop, she transformed it into Oregon Serigraphics with a mission to create branded apparel, create inspiring messages, and do good in her community. Her philosophy is “to be a better business with a primary focus on quality of life over money, because through that, the money will come.” Lafleur and her crew get to do what they love every day, with people and the planet in mind.
ORS specializes in one-stop messaging for apparel and graphics. The company provides award-winning design services, screen-printing, embroidery, sublimation for polyester, tiles and metal; vinyl and large format graphics. Their customer base expands throughout southern Oregon; serving the business community, non-profit organizations, school and sports programs, as well as nationwide clientele. Customer service and education is paramount in what they provide — matching decoration method with substrate, messaging, and price point are all parts of great service. The company places a high value on education; staying up to date with industry trends and techniques. The crew participates in continuing education courses to expand and perfect their craft; all of which is evident in the quality products they produce.
Oregon Serigraphics has shown to be a pillar in the community by keeping the needs of the community at the forefront of what they do. Most recently, Lafleur recognized almost immediately that even though she wasn’t able to bring in general sales, she had a facility that could help make cloth masks. In turn, it could help the community.
Lafleur created and orchestrated the local all-volunteer mask making community effort aptly named ‘Umpqua Sewing Warrior.’ More than 600 people belong to the group and have contributed more than 20,000 masks for our community through the Douglas Public Health Network. The effort, which is still underway, is supporting the medical community.
“Hosting the effort is part of using capitalism for good, which is what I see as a business responsibility,” Lafleur said. “We could hunker down and do things for profit or we could do things to pay bills and do good in the community. I think it’s just an extension of that.”
For the past four years, Lafleur has been an active participant in the Small Business Management (SBM) class that is offered at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). She has reported quite a few impacts over this period of time; mostly in general sales growth. She feels as if SBDC is a partner in the business, because the organization has been a resource in helping Oregon Serigraphics to grow.
“We would without question recommend the SBDC to anyone who has a business or who is looking to start a business,” Lafleur said. “The no-cost advising that is provided and the classes and workshops are invaluable resources to any business owner.”
SBM, which is offered in three levels starting each Fall and meeting once-per-month through June, is for small businesses to spend time working on their business rather than in their business. In between the once-per-month class sessions, business owners meet with advisors to apply what they’ve learned to their business. Whether new, expanding, or planning an exit strategy, SBM offers subject matter experts and counseling to grow the business and reach goals.
About Umpqua Community College
Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities.
Contact
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Phone: 541-440-7824