ST. GEORGE —A St. George couple went from unemployed to self-employed after they took a devastating moment and flipped it into limitless possibilities.
Ariel Bundy, mother of two and owner of Bundy Customs, said she was six months pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic when both she and her husband Zach Bundy lost their jobs. The company they both worked for made a devastating cut in staff, laying off 14 people out of an already small staff of 20.
After they were laid off, Ariel Bundy said she and her husband discussed what they felt their individual skills were and what they should do next. Her mom had a screen-printing business for over 25 years and she decided she would learn to do the same skills herself. Running under her own business, Bundy Customs, Bundy learned how to screenprint, then added vinyl and woodburning art to the mix, which she learned completely on her own.
As Bundy started with small orders such as custom Disney T-shirts for birthdays, she said her business began to grow. She saw the highest growth right before her baby arrived and went back to work immediately after her baby was born. Now, Bundy said her business has mostly transitioned into logo T-shirts, polos and embroidered hats for businesses.
“I feel like every month it just doubles in size,” she said. “I plan to keep growing and working with more businesses and more people.”
She has worked with various local companies such as Benja’s Thai Garden, SkyWest Airlines, Red Stone Construction, Sconies food truck, along with cleaning companies such as Dream Cleaning and 435 Cleaning. She also has done T-shirts for many local church groups.
Bundy said her biggest order has been for the Bundy Reunion, an event that brings thousands of Bundy families together each year. She now creates T-shirts and hats every year for the reunion, which includes about 600-800 pieces of Bundy Customs’ unique designs.
Zach Bundy said after he was laid off from his job he felt an initial fear of the unknown. He also found himself equally excited, knowing he had felt stagnant at his previous job and that this pivotal point could actually signal an opportunity to pursue something of his own.
With a goal to support his family, he took the past experience and skills he obtained from a previous company and started his own business – Bundy Coatings – which specializes in custom epoxy garages and concrete staining.
Bundy said owning his own business has been an amazing experience. And to those who dream of taking the leap but haven’t, he said it helps to find a mentor who excels in the appropriate field, as they will become the greatest advocate and resource for the business.
“We didn’t know we would become small business owners, but we just had to stay open to opportunities that arose and not be afraid to fail,” Bundy said.
Ariel Bundy said she’s extremely proud of how hard her husband has worked and loves that they are both able to make their own hours. Their jobs now allow them the freedom and flexibility to be present for all the special moments in their families’ lives.
Her husband also raved about her and said that she is an amazing wife who juggles two kids and orders of her own while also scheduling jobs and quotes for his business.
“It brings me excitement and joy and pride to see her succeed,” Bundy said. “I truly love the person she’s growing into while running her business.”
For more information on Bundy Customs, visit them on Instagram and Facebook. For more information on Bundy Coatings, visit their website or find them on Instagram.
Photo Gallery
Zach Bundy sits in his backyard, St. George, Utah, June 20, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
Zach and Ariel Bundy pose for family photos with their two children, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
Ariel Bundy, owner of Bundy Customs, sits in her home office, St. George, Utah, June 8, 2022 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
Hats by Bundy Customs are stacked and ready for the annual Bundy Family Reunion, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features work done by Bundy Customs for Benja's Thai Garden, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features work done by Bundy Customs for Redstone Construction, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features work done by Bundy Customs for Redstone Construction, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features work done by Bundy Customs, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features a tumbler created by Bundy Customs, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features custom flooring done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features custom flooring done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features custom flooring done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features custom flooring done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features concrete staining done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
A photo features custom flooring done by Bundy Coatings, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
Zach and Ariel Bundy pose for the camera, date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of Ariel Bundy, St. George News
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