Teamuniformorders.com was started in 2008 by 5 former IBM executives. This was long before it was cool to order everything online. Their initial focus was on automating the most complex ordering challenge there is—outfitting thousands of Players within large soccer organizations.
Where Personal Service and Advanced Technology Meet
Our Story
Teamuniformorders.com was started in 2008 by 5 former IBM executives. This was long before it was cool to order everything online. Their initial focus was on automating the most complex ordering challenge there is—outfitting thousands of Players within large soccer organizations.
2008
FOUNDED
Teamuniformorders.com is started in Lancaster, PA by 5 former IBM Executives. They leave their stable jobs to launch a venture assisting Soccer Dealers and Soccer organizations in using technology to simplify uniform ordering for large groups.
2010
PROOF OF CONCEPT
After developing a beta version, and many trials (and tribulations) later the initial system for automating ordering online is introduced and embraced by 15 of the nation’s largest Soccer Dealers and the Clubs they serve.
2012
PREPARE FOR GROWTH
Outside counsel is sought to assist in navigating growth in the coming years. New Executive Management and Technical team joins to assist. Business is relocated to Atlanta, GA to aid in hiring staff and sustaining growth.
2014
ADVANCE THE TECHNOLOGY
Extensive rebuild of the cloud-based technology is completed. Initial development of the advanced API’s to support integration with 3rd party solutions begins. Now serving over 250 Dealers and Providers in North America.
2016
RAPID EXPANSION
New Executive Management Team takes over day-to-day strategic and operational control of the business. Previous “Founders” step away from the business. Year-over-year growth continues at 350% annually.
2018
NEW OWNERSHIP
Transition to new ownership is completed with no outside investors. Continued, rapid organic growth is the mission. Honored to serve over 2,000 Dealer Clients.
2020
SURVIVING A PANDEMIC
Offering different STORE TYPES becomes vital to continued growth as Dealers transition to diversifying beyond sports and offering CORPORATE APPAREL stores to sustain their businesses.
2022
MARKET DEMANDS CHANGE
Double-digit, year-over-year growth continues. Exclusive ROSTER-DRIVEN TECHNOLOGY attracts more and more new Dealers as ordering online requires more advanced technology and flexibility that Customers now demand.
Our Mission
To offer the best service, support and business expertise, matched with the most advanced technology, all at the best value for every client we serve.
Core Beliefs
Personal Service
A common problem with “tech companies” is their accessibility to you. It makes no sense to offer great software / technology solutions if there is no one available to help you use it. The entire team at TUO is literally ALWAYS AVAILABLE to help you. Want proof? Providing Personal Service to every Client we serve is the #1 reason TUO has grown over 500% in just the last 5 years.
Innovation
Let’s face it. The industry is changing. And FAST! Customers are demanding as ever, and consolidation means you’re facing more and more competition. You need a partner who is both knowledgeable and committed to delivering the “Best In Class” technology to help you compete and thrive. In fact, in just the last year alone, TUO introduced over 3,000 New Features, with many inspired by the Clients we serve.
Partnerships
Frankly, TUO does not seek to work with everyone. The truth is, we purposely choose to partner ONLY with providers with whom we can forge a close working relationship, and with whom the addition of our expertise can lead to success. In our vast experience, we’ve come to learn that the best Partnerships have one common bond—mutual respect and a sincere commitment to help each other grow.
Integrity
In today’s environment, even the partners you’ve leaned on over the years are quickly transitioning to becoming your competitors (think of some of the vendor initiatives to “go direct.”). And some online ordering providers are actively sharing and selling their clients’ confidential business data. To put it simply, that is just WRONG! TUO NEVER sells or shares your confidential business information to ANYONE. No exceptions! By the way, that is not a popular position to take as the market continues to transform.
Commitment
By its very definition, COMMITMENT means being passionately dedicated to a cause or desired outcome, no matter the obstacles faced along the way. TUO was started in 2008 when ordering online was not a “thing.” The commitment was (and continues today) to grow organically, based solely on perseverance and personal service. While TUO is certainly not the largest Online Ordering provider, we maintain our commitment to truly be the best partner we can be to every Client we serve.
Value
It all comes down to VALUE, and ensuring you get (much more) than that for which you pay. Our intent is NOT to be the lowest-cost solution but rather, to ensure every client we serve believes they are receiving true VALUE. That is why there are no upfront costs to get started (as others charge) nor any monthly subscription fees. And the TUO Pricing is tiered, which simply means the more sales you transact, the lower your costs. The BOTTOM LINE is, we only get paid when you sell something online.
The People Behind the Technology
Over 75 years of combined software and technology experience (and wisdom).
Payal may have the most interesting story in when / how she joined the TUO family. Soon after the business was relocated to Atlanta in 2012, Payal was the first person to interview in the new offices. Of course, she arrived on time and when she walked into the office, looked around at the stark office space (one long plastic table with folding chairs all around), she politely introduced herself and promptly said good-bye. About one year later, she received a follow-up call, as TUO needs had changed dramatically due to the rapid growth. It took some convincing, but Payal did agree to come in for another visit. The rest, as they say, is history. Payal has been a key member of the TUO family since 2014 and has been instrumental in shaping, guiding and directing the amazing growth and transformation of TUO over the years.
Today Payal manages and controls (and we do mean controls) everything related to all accounting and finances that are involved with transacting business online. Trust us when we say, the challenges are numerous and endless. Of her many accomplishments, her biggest contribution is definitely the development of the myriad of advanced systems, technology and internal business processes required for managing the financial complexities in the world of running an e-commerce technology company.
Personal Interests
Payal is the proud mama of a beautiful, intelligent daughter named Sanvvi. In fact, Sanvvi has recently developed a keen interest in graphic design software and has even designed some of the promotional marketing materials TUO offers to clients to assist them in preaching the benefits of online ordering.
Susie is a customer service professional. After graduating with a Business degree from Emory University, she began her career at (what was at the time considered to be) the most highly-regarded airline in the world—Delta Airlines as a customer Service Representative. In fact, Susie was a part of the team of employees at Delta that voluntarily contributed a significant portion of their salaries so that the company could purchase the newest aircraft available at the time—a Boeing 767. Still today this is considered one of the greatest demonstrations of employee morale (and Public Relations) in the history of business:
How Delta Employees Bought The Airline A Boeing 767 (simpleflying.com)
After raising 4 perfect children, Susie ventured back into the business world. She took a position with a fast-growing retail chain (Von Maur) that was rapidly expanding into new markets. She quickly became the Assistant Store Manager for the retailer’s anchor store in Georgia where she served for 2 years. (For those that are not aware, the retail business can be extremely brutal, especially during the holiday season). After many late nights followed by early mornings, including being the one to unlock the doors at 5:30 am, Susie decided it was time to move on. Her decision coincided with a period In which the TUO team was struggling in setting up the systems and protocols to manage the growing number of customers who needed assistance when placing order in any TUO online store. The match was perfect. Susie joined the TUO family in 2014.
Today Susie heads up the team that is responsible for providing the best-in-class customer service and support for every shopper who places an order in any TUO online store. Susie and her team also coordinate all support issues with every Dealer using the TUO platform. Has Susie made a difference? We’ll let you decide. See this recent email a customer sent to Susie directly:
From Darin: “You have to be the most on the ball company I have ever dealt with. I truly appreciate working with professionals.”
Personal Interests
While Susie is proud of all of her professional accomplishments, no doubt her greatest source of pride is in having raised her family. Not many parents can say they successfully got 4 kids (3 boys and one girl) through high school, then college, then onto their respective, successful careers. Today, with all 4 children having found their soulmates and now each married, Susie gets the greatest title of all….WA! Grandma to 2 beautiful (and soon to be 3) grandchildren.
Personal Interests
Caroline got married in December, 2021 and spends a significant amount of her “off” time attending any sporting event she can with her husband Kelly. On November 3, 2021 Caroline’s lifelong dream came to fruition when her beloved Atlanta Braves won the World Series.
Bridget graduated with her undergrad and MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) while on an athletic scholarship for Track. Upon graduation Bridget worked as a consultant with a firm that offered her the flexibility to travel while her husband was on the ATP Tour (Professional Tennis). With the interest to begin raising a family, Bridget decided to cut back her work hours and focus more of her time with a more flexible work schedule. Volunteering became the best option, working with charities and non-profits while spending time raising her 4 young children.
In May, 2016 there was a knock on the door at the new offices of Teamuniformorders.com. In walked Bridget, confidently asking if she could speak with someone from management. Turns out Bridget had come across an online store set-up by a TUO Dealer and she was interested in seeing if there was a need to match her software / design experience with an opportunity at TUO. Bridget became the first (and still only) person to walk into TUO and get hired on the spot. It turns out TUO was the perfect match for her where she could work with a fast-growing, cutting-edge technology company that could utilize her design skills and knowledge with software. In the 6 years since that day Bridget has played an important and vital role in improving the online store experience for every Dealer and customer alike. As you review the dynamic, multi-media online stores offered on the TUO platform, you can thank Bridget for having the gumption to walk in the doors of TUO in 2016.
Personal Interests
Bridget and her husband Kenny met at Georgia Tech where they were both athletes, Bridget was a track star (and still runs every day today) and Kenny an outstanding tennis player who would go on to play professionally. Bridget and Kenny have been married 32 years and have 4 adult children. Over the past decade Bridget has volunteered with the Fulton County Elections Board, and today is a member of the steering Committee for the Georgia Election Integrity Project. Her involvement in elections has led her to a new race. Recently Bridget was elected to become a member of the Fulton County Board, which is a powerful governing arm for one of the largest counties in Georgia. By the way, she has some compelling stories to share about the experiences she had with our election process.
Personal Interests
Lee has earned the nick name “Fire Dancer” among his TUO family. Of his many, varied interests outside of work, the most interesting “hobby” Lee has is his incredible skill in dancing with fire. This is an example of a video being worth a thousand words, so see a sample of Lee’s skills:
Personal Interests
James loves all sports and is a sports trivia genius. The entire TUO family has learned to NEVER challenge James with his knowledge of anything related to sports. In October, 2021 James married the love of his life Ansley. As fate would have it, James’ favorite team (the Atlanta Braves) also made their final run to victory in the World Series on the weekend he was wed. Each night of the wedding weekend concluded with everyone sitting around a huge bonfire in the clear mountain air, watching the Braves on a large projection TV, cheering them on to victory (and cheering the newlyweds with best wishes for the new life ahead). James and Ansley are preparing to add to their family as they are expecting their first child due Christmas Day this year.
Following his graduation from Florida State University, Rich became enamored with the potential of the newly-emerging world wide web. Having worked in various positions in security with various defense contractors, Rich took a position with a new technology start-up in Atlanta (iXL) where he designed and developed the second state online transaction portals for selling licenses online for Georgia residents. While at iXL during the “Dot Com” years he was able to work with numerous Fortune 500 companies to bring other innovative solutions to the internet. In an interesting twist of fate, eventually the online license portal and capability was spun out of iXL as a wholly separate business called Permit.com
Rich was introduced to Gerry (current CEO of TUO) in early 2002 where the two developed custom automated marketing systems for a variety of companies (Audi of North America, Porsche and AGCO Tractors, to name just a few). It’s a business partnership that remains to this day. Eventually Rich took a position as a security specialist with cyber security company named Predictive Solutions, but continued his partnership with Gerry over the years.
In 2014 Rich agreed to assist Gerry in conducting a full and complete technology audit of, what was at the time, the fledging platform called TUO systems. Within 3 months Rich delivered a compelling, objective review of the technology. Rich was asked on the spot to join TUO as the lead technology developer.
Rich continues today as the Chief Technology Officer of TUO and leads the TUO Tech Team in the design, architecture, development and implementation of all new features. Under his supervision the TUO platform has gone from transacting $1.5 million per year (when he joined) to a projected $70 million in 2022.
Personal Interests
Rich is the epitome of an outdoorsman. Besides his lovely wife Julie and his talented, intelligent daughter Kira (a member of the National Champions Georgia Bulldogs Marching band) Rich spends as much available time he has in nature. Besides the occasional 3-day adventure hikes where he backpacks and camps deep into the woods surviving on only what he can carry in, he also mountain bikes several times a week, often going on treks of 20 plus miles.
Sumit showed his enthusiasm for computers while very young. He started tinkering and experimenting with programming computers right at the time the personal computer craze was taking shape. He started out by working on small utility software programs in FoxBase and Foxpro. With his father being a Civil Engineer, Sumit soon set out to fulfill his father’s wish for him to earn his engineering degree in Architecture. While doing so, Sumit continued with his passion for computers and completed his 3 year Certification from NIIT (one of highest-ranking private learning institutes in India ) where he earned a scholarship to help fund his studies. Soon thereafter Sumit started his professional career as a teaching faculty member in the same institute, where he quickly demonstrated his skills at analyzing and solving complex logic problems.
Being a self-starter with the zeal and appetite to always learn more, Sumit took a leap of faith and joined a newly-formed start-up. This proved to set him on the trajectory that led him to where he is today. While working at the start-up Sumit was exposed to and experienced all of the necessary business skills needed to succeed—from Pre sales research, marketing, client interface, project management, team leading, and direct programming with experience with a wide swath application programming (Java, .net, PHP, Python, C, C++ and many more). In 2008 Sumit was introduced to the Ruby on Rails programming language and instantly committed himself to become an expert at this new and emerging technology.
Since 2008 Sumit has been an active member of the Ruby on Rails Community. The TUO system transitioned to Ruby on Rails under the advice and leadership of Sumit when he initially joined the newly-formed company. Today Sumit works directly in collaboration with Rich (CTO) to conceive and develop all new features within the TUO system.
Personal Interests
Sumit is a science-fiction fanatic. Yet, like most folks who work in technology, Sumit also enjoys escaping the rigors of sitting behind a computer screen all day and he makes a point to spend as much time alone he can in nature. On those days you can find Sumit near any body of water, preferably surrounded by trees and mountains.
Gerry spent the first part of his career in the advertising business, eventually working with the largest advertising agency network in the world (WPP) where he headed up the Chicago office of Ogilvy & Mather Direct / Database Marketing. Gerry quickly developed a keen interest (and skill) in guiding and consulting Fortune 500 client companies in the future of data-driven marketing. This when the internet was but a nascent new enigma to most people. In 1995 Gerry was selected to be one of 5 Worldwide Subject Matter Experts to consult with global clients on the emerging new field of data-driven marketing. Traveling the globe to consult with some of the world’s leading companies became his full-time job, including working with global brands such as Kraft General Foods, Kimberly Clark, American Express and Nutrasweet (to name-drop a few).
However, after close to 10 years of extensive traveling, and with a young family at home, Gerry decided to scratch the itch he had to become an entrepreneur. In 2000 Gerry took the leap and partnered with the former CEO of the world’s first internet success story (Monster.com) to form a digital consultancy firm targeting technology start-ups. For the next 10 years Gerry applied his deep knowledge and business acumen to assist early-stage technology companies in raising seed and growth capital, setting up their business operations, and helping with their go-to-market strategies.
Then in 2014, a favor to a friend led to a chance meeting with a few former IBM executives who had been working to develop a technology platform to automate ordering for large sports organizations (Teamuniformorders.com). Gerry agreed to serve as a “CEO Coach” to guide and counsel them on the necessary steps to grow their business. Within 6 months it became clear that dramatic changes were needed for the business to sustain, and within one year Gerry accepted the offer to become CEO, Managing Director of Teamuniformorders.com. Once the business began to experience rapid growth in the ensuing years, it became apparent that the ownership structure of the business needed to change, and the new management team that Gerry brought on board took ownership and control of the business in 2018.
Personal Interests
Who has time for personal interests when you work in technology? The truth is, in the spare hours Gerry has on any given weekend, he does enjoy kayaking and trail running.