Big Frog, Big Heart

T-shirts can be fun and flirty; they can make a statement; they even serve to unite people for a cause or event. It is probably a safe bet to say that nearly everyone has at least one T-shirt in his closet or drawer.

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More offers customers fast, convenient, stress-free and affordable options when shopping for custom-designed T-shirts or any other personalized item. The experienced staff of graphic designers works with clients from concept to production.

“I have always been a huge fan of graphic T-shirts,” said Nancy Salcido, who opened a Big Frog franchise in 2009. “Whenever we would go on vacation, I would always go into the T-shirt shops.”

So, when Salcido and her husband, Moses, were looking for a business opportunity, Big Frog seemed a natural fit. What sealed the deal for Salcido was a first-hand experience with the service at the company’s Clearwater headquarters. She had been unable to find a specific graphic T-shirt for her son. However, when she visited Big Frog, they were able to create the design, print and hand her the T-shirt within 20 minutes.

“That’s when I knew this was the business I wanted to do,” she said.

In addition to T-shirts, Big Frog is a full-service, one-stop shop for other customized items, such as hoodies, polo shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, boxer shorts, bandanas, mouse pads, wine bags, koozies, coasters, puzzles, tote bags, dog clothes, golf towels and more. Since everything is done on-site, orders can be completed within 24 hours or less for items that are in stock.

There is no minimum order, so if a customer wants to have a design created and printed on one item, that is fine with the Big Frog staff. Also, there are no setup fees or color charges. Customers can choose to bring their own images, artwork or photos to be scanned into a special graphic design program, or they can use the expertise of Big Frog’s graphic artists to create the design, free of charge. Before a final decision is made, customers can see examples of how different inks will look on a variety of fabric colors.

Big Frog uses the latest direct-to-garment fabric-printing method that essentially dyes the image onto the fabric. It also does vinyl transfers and will even “bling-out” fabric products with rhinestones.

Obviously, great customer service, affordable prices and expert design work are all reasons people choose Big Frog for their custom printing needs. However, those who know Salcido and the many charitable endeavors she supports will say that the real success of the business lies with her philosophy of paying it forward.

Throughout the years, she has given time and donations to many local nonprofit organizations.

Salcido offers all nonprofit organizations a discount on products, in addition to donating 15 percent of the total order back to the organization. Many teams, churches, schools and support organizations have benefited from her generosity.

She also is an advocate for Libby’s Legacy, which is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive breast health services to the under-served in Central Florida through education, mammograms and follow-up diagnostics.

Owning and operating her own business enables Salcido to make a difference in her community.

“To be able to do something as simple as creating a T-shirt that puts a smile on someone’s face for something that means so much to them, is great,” Salcido said. “I take every T-shirt [order] personally. Everyone has a story to tell, whether it is a family reunion or they are part of a team.

“One of my friends says I am changing the world one T-shirt at a time,” Salcido said, with a smile.

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, located at 975 S. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. For more information, call 321-972-8879 or visit www.bigfrog.com on the Web.