Team Mates

If you’ve worked in a niche industry for any amount of time, you’ve probably had this moment: you’re chatting with a friend or colleague, recommending a product or solution you genuinely believe in—and then suddenly you hear yourself say, “Sorry, I don’t mean to be sales-y…”

Let’s stop doing that.

In a specialized world like ours, relationships are at the heart of everything. We’re not just vendors and buyers—we’re teammates, collaborators, and often longtime friends. We’ve grown up together in this space. We’ve crossed paths at conferences, shared ideas at workshops, and probably even marched or taught side by side.

So why hesitate to talk shop with people we care about?

Here’s the truth: we’re not pitching—we’re problem solving. We carefully choose the tools we share because we know how much they can help. We’re not here to sell for the sake of it. We’re here to make our friends’ lives easier, their programs stronger, and their seasons smoother. That’s something worth sharing—and something we’re proud of.

We started this company because we are directors and assistants. We’ve lived the pressure of the season, the timelines, the curveballs. Our products were born out of that shared experience—and yes, those friendships.

Take the EZ Hem™ Tuxedo. It wasn’t created to move more inventory—it was designed to fix a real problem we kept seeing: too many ill-fitting uniforms and way too much time wasted on fittings. We saw a better way and built it.

Same goes for the Heelix™ Marching Shoe. It’s not just a shoe—it’s a better marching experience. More comfort, better performance, longer life. And it’s made its way into programs we care deeply about, led by people we’ve known for years.

So if someone you trust says, “Hey, I think this could help you,” listen. And if you’re the one with a solution to share—don’t apologize. You’re not being pushy. You’re being helpful.

In a close-knit industry like ours, the line between business and friendship doesn’t divide—it connects. It’s where the best ideas are born and the best solutions are shared. At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to do right by our teams, our students, and each other.

Helping each other isn’t selling—it’s serving. And that’s something we’ll always stand behind.

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Chris Walls
Director’s Assistant, LLC
Creators of the EZ Hem™ Tuxedo & Exclusive Distributor of the Heelix™ Marching Shoe
Proudly serving our community of friends, directors, and professionals for over a decade.