Meet Tom Deitte of FonDuLac Wisconsin. Tom is one of the board members who operates a single store and does it well. He and his wife have this great big 3 story full service bridal and tuxedo store located in a thriving downtown business area. The building is as full of character as the owner and definitely worth a visit if you are ever in the area.

Name and family information.
Tom Deitte, married 27 years to Cathy. Four children, Maria (24), graduated from UW Madison, currently in graduate school at Purdue University for Family and Marriage Counseling. Steven (21) attending UW Madison for Computer Science. Colleen (18) Senior at St Mary Springs High School will be attending Marian College in Fond du Lac. Christine (16) attending St Mary Springs High School. Mom, Rose (78)

Background.
Edith’s has been a family owned business since the doors opened in 1937. It all began with my Great Aunt Edith. In 1971, when she was ready to sell the business my uncle, Rollie Deitte bought it. I started working for him at the age of 14. In 1972 he decided to start the tuxedo division, Edith’s Tuxedo Junction. I managed the tuxedo division and was the buyer for the sportswear department. In 1989 my wife Cathy and I purchased the tuxedo division of Edith’s. In 2000 we purchased the bridal and women’s ready to wear divisions.

What part of the business is your favorite?
My favorite part of the business has always been helping tuxedo customers.

What part is your least favorite?
Training new employees!

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
I would like to see us keep developing our outstanding team of employees. Also would like to take a vacation to Hawaii.

How long have you been on the IFA board?
1 ½ Years.

What are your main focuses or committees you serve on?
New ways to exchange ideas with members at the IFA convention.

What has been the biggest surprise in being a board member?
The dedication and willingness of the other board members to improve the IFA.


In a perfect world what would you like to see change with the IFA?
I would like to see the IFA improve a website that would drive consumers to our member’s front doors. This could be achieved similar to other web sites like “theknot.com”. The website could also be used to provide a fitting service for out of town customers.

Who have you met through the board that you didn’t know beforehand?
Many people including Rod Benbrook, Chris Brown, Mark Morrow, Nancy Haboush, Jim Carrow and Wayne Griner.

How can members of the board become more accessible to people in the industry?
EASY, Email, td@ediths.com Phone 920 921-2420 or come enjoy Wisconsin!

Can you tie a bow tie?
Yes.

What are your thoughts on what small operators can do to remain competitive?
This is a question that I deal with every day. I have operated one store for many years. I believe that it can be done. Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising. Also, this is where I think the IFA has an extra hidden value. Exchanging ideas has been a very helpful to me through the IFA. I have often left a convention with an idea that will improve my store.

What does your company do better than your competition?
A great greeting and an excellent fit for 70 years.

Give a favorite quote or motto you live by.
Plan for tomorrow, but live for TODAY!

Favorite things to do outside of formalwear?
Enjoying and spending time with my family. Traveling to St. Maarten, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Las Vegas, Florida, Key West, anywhere warm for one week in the winter. I played city league basketball for 27 years. Snowmobiling.

Mentor or source of greatest support?
I was very lucky, My father, Kenneth Deitte was a gentle giant to me.

Also, my uncle Rolland Deitte trained and mentored me on retailing, salesmanship, business planning, and customer relations.

Thoughts or ending remarks to get to know you and remember you by?
Smile, and BE HAPPY.

IFA EXPO26! September 8-10 Nashville, Tennessee at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Make plans now to attend! The theme for this year’s EXPO is “New Challenges, Innovative Solutions.” Do not miss this once a year opportunity to see what is on the horizon for our industry and reconnect with old friends. We always seem to add in some time to have a little fun and Nashville should be a great place to look for it!! Click here for more information about EXPO26.

Industry Happenings
FTC OK’s After Hours Men’s Wearhouse Deal.
Men’s Wearhouse has been given approval by the FTC completing the acquisition of After Hours Formalwear stores. The second request for information by the commission resulted in no further action. They were investigating under the Hart-Scott Rodino Act which generally focuses on antitrust issues. After both the FTC and the Department of Justice investigation were completed it was determined to take no further action. The FTC reports no anti-competitive impact with the merger that would cause them to challenge the transaction.

Analysts have estimated Men’s Wearhouse will have 30% share of the tuxedo rental market upon completion of the merger. The question many smaller operators are asking about the connection to David’s Bridal remains unanswered. It is not clear if the agreement includes total access to bridal leads through David’s.

Hang in there everybody! Happy prom time to all!!

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
- John C. Maxwell

What would you attempt to do if you knew you would not fail?
- Robert Schuler

Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the International Formalwear Association, its officers, directors or staff.  Each author is solely responsible for its content.

Most of you are really busy right now and have very little time to spare. Look towards Formal Times to provide important information for your busy season. Have you ever (even with the best laid plans) run short on pants during a busy weekend? Well, read the pant article to know where to turn if that happens this year. Also continuing with featuring business’ who serve our industry, take note of the discount DHL is offering IFA members. Also meet another player in the formalwear business--a great funny guy, Tom Deitte of Edith’s Tuxedo Junction. Nancy Haboush of Mister Neat’s has again graced us with her vast employee training knowledge with an article on employee dress. Read on and contact us if you find time in the weeks ahead at rebeccamc522@aol.com.

Options are good. Options are even better when it comes to shipping packages. We all remember being burned by the shipping strike that hit in ‘97. The formalwear industry moves a lot of product on a regular basis. Shipping choices for ground packages now include DHL, along with UPS and FedEx. DHL has submitted information about their company and discounts they offer IFA members. Check it out; let us know your thoughts. Contact Becky at rebeccamc522@aol.com.  

About DHL
At DHL, Customer Service is back in shipping. Our mission is to provide the most flexible, personable and enjoyable experience in the shipping industry for our customers.

DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source. DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, and contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide with over 285,000 employees dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.

For more than 35 years, DHL has built a global delivery network by trailblazing express shipping in one country after another. Over 225 countries and territories later, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry.

IFA Members can save up to 25% on the following award winning services:

• DHL Next Day 10:30am
• DHL Next Day 12:00pm
• DHL Next Day 3:00pm
• DHL 2nd Day
• DHL Ground
• DHL International

It’s easy to open your DHL account. Sign up today by these convenient ways:

Call: 800-647-3061 ext 6572      Fax: 913-982-5943

Nancy Haboush, President, Mister Neat’s Formalwear, Colorado
Professional Dress Code
As our society continues to support a casual dress trend, it’s becoming increasingly popular for sales people to be dressing down at work. So the question becomes, do you join the trends or continue to enforce a professional dress code? I think the number one reason to support a professional dress code is credibility. It’s all about respect and trust.

When a customer enters your store and is greeted by a sharp-dressed associate, before the associate utters a word, they have achieved a level of respect from the customer just by the way they’re dressed. Conversely, if the associate is dressed casually or unprofessionally, the associate will have to work twice as hard to earn credibility because the customer will have already made a judgment about the sloppy dress of the associate. The customer makes a determination about whether the associate is capable of advising them on what’s appropriate to wear for the most important day of their life by how well the associate can dress themselves.

So think twice before you choose a company-logo polo over a sharp business suit! Your sales may depend on it!

Advance planning and fill in orders need to be done far in advance of the busy season for manufacturers to plan ahead on production. New pants delivered and checked in a month before prom ready to go. Yet, we all know that prom weekend, the kind that make the cash registers ring and the production staff cry. You are short pants and no matter how you rework it you need them now. Falling short with even with the best plans happens to many of us. When you need pants you need them now, who do you call? We asked the leading rental pant providers’ simple questions about availability and price, so in the next two months when you are a sleep deprived zombie you will know who to call. Good luck!

After Six
240 Collins Industrial Boulevard
Athens, GA 30601

CSS Chaplin
15580 East Hinsdale Circle
Englewood CO 80112
800-422-1229

FLOW Formal Alliance
257 Rittenhouse Circle
Bristol, PA 19007
888-500-0033