Dave Flook is bringing back an old school marketing tool and collectible.
Flook is the owner of Printoga, a design, digital print and marketing company in Hespeler.
While working the recent municipal elections he noticed that buttons were flying off his shelf as a way for candidates to promote themselves and spread their messages.
It gave him an idea.
Being a collector himself, he started the side business Nothin' But Buttons. With his design background it was a natural fit.
“The idea behind Nothin' But Buttons is to provide custom buttons to individuals and students but also businesses for marketing purposes,” Flook said.
“Pound for pound, buttons are actually a very affordable form of marketing. Buttons are also just fun. I want to bring that back a little bit. You see kids with buttons on their backpacks, it’s almost like an expression.”
The designs for the buttons are endless. Flook has created everything from The Simpsons and superheroes to specialized minor sports teams.
He’s also able to create customized buttons for gifts or stocking stuffers. Each button comes with a customizable backing card, giving people the ability to personalize their purchase with a special message.
The side business is more than just an additional stream of income for Flook. He’s teamed up with his 15-year-old daughter, Stevie, to make it a family affair.
“It’s a means for me to hire my daughter and a few of her friends,” he said.
“I’m a single dad. I want to have a side business I can share with my daughter. I hope she learns self-reliance, dependence and a go-getting attitude. I want her to know she can see opportunities and go after them but you sometimes need to look at things from an original angle. She’s actually already sold a few to her friends at school.”
A former graphic and web design professor at Fanshawe College, Flook hopes to see the business take off.
“It’s so universally applicable,” he said.
“You’re looking at everything from buttons for kids to the school teams and the municipalities. I cater to various industries that are pre-designed. We’re launching a fundraising program so schools can use the buttons as a fundraising tool.”
At the end of the day, Flook believes buttons are meant to be a fun way to express yourself.
“Buttons are awesome and cool,” Flook said.
“I started off designing all the buttons I would want. It’s fun to express yourself with awesome buttons.”
For more information on Nothin But Buttons visit nothinbutbuttons.com.
