EUGENE RESIDENT TURNS ART INTO PROFITABLE COMPANY
Fabric stretch-shapes used in churches, theaters, and events on an international scale
Eugene, Oregon- Across the globe large-scale facilities are embracing new decorations to meet their aesthetic needs. Fabric stretch-shapes from Oregon are being used to cover lighting trusses and speaker stands that used to interfere with elaborate set-designs.
People are happy, and it’s all due to one company started by an artist in Eugene, Oregon.
Niko Mantele was raised by two entrepreneurial parents that taught him hard work would triumph all obstacles. He was creative from a young age, fascinated by design and color. When he entered high school, he tried his hand at theater set design.
Perplexed by the ancient nature of curtains and bulky backdrops, he convinced himself that he could create something more in line with 21st century demands.
He started building full scale stage installations out of fabrics stretched from strings. Word got out, and soon enough production companies throughout the western United States were calling him to decorate their events. With his fabrics manufactured in Eugene and a five-person crew helping him on the road, Mantele had created a small empire.
Once he realized the potential of web distribution, he decided to appeal to the Internet market.
Such was the birth of
StretchShapes.net- the one-stop web shop for tension fabric decorations.
“The reason I invested my time and energy to such a unique entrepreneurial pursuit is because stretch fabrics will never disappear,” said Mantele. “It is the ultimate scenic fabric element.”
After working with local web designer Mike Lucid, Mantele launched a virtual shopping cart for fabric decorations. Growing up in Eugene, Oregon, he wasn’t aware of the wide demographics that would be interested in his products.
When churches, theaters, and A/V rental companies started to buy up tension fabrics, Mantele saw room for expansion.
“It was exciting to me being a person that’s about mobility and compact designs,” he said. “I was suddenly able to offer a my art as a product to a large group of people with the same values- only in different geographic areas. I saw so much room for expansion.
Mantele expanded to a warehouse and hired sewers and distributors on staff. But even while improving his company, he kept true to his Eugene roots.
“Copycat sites out there started popping up and offering similar products imported from China,” he said. “I said let’s keep the money and our production local. Let’s stay environmentally friendly. Quality will speak for itself.”
It has.
StretchShapes LLC continues to supply fabric shapes as far away as Southeast Asia. Mantele says they have plans to become a corporation, but the mission statement will stay the same.
“Integrity is our priority,” he said. “We only create one type of decoration, which allows us to focus on constantly improving our quality.
StretchShapes.net will continue to offer the highest quality decorations available.”