The Locker Room – How Sportiqe is Growing a Safe and Conscious Place for Employees While Being a Profitable Business E10
This show was a very unique show that we were excited to finally execute on. The Culture Crush Business Podcast and the People and Profit Podcast, sponsored by Conscious Capitalism Arizona, came together for a special crossover episode.
Matt Altman, with Sportiqe, was the best guest for this crossover experience. His knowledge and understanding of running and growing a conscious business was perfect for the conversation with co-hosts Jeremy Neis and Kindra Maples. Yes, businesses are here to make money and be profitable, but this can be done while also supporting the employees as humans. People and Profit should be on the same level. Your people are the ones that are going to take care of your customers. It is important to try and support their fundamental human needs; freedom, independence, community, family, and teamwork.
When we are connected together, we can help each other and there is a win- win outcome. They even had the chance to dive into the six values that Sportiqe has, that go beyond just writing on the walls. The “values and behavior are what drive a team and a family.” Teamwork, Evolve, Respect, Can Do, Integrity, and Fun are all values that have grown with the company and continuously lived through the team at Sportiqe.
This episode is great for all listeners! This conversation is great for any job level to listen in and find motivation in the way that Sportiqe is growing their brand. This conversation is great for CEO’s out there to listen to in order to understand the benefit and the need in taking care of your people with the same passion that drives the company to be profitable. This conversation shares insight into how to treat employees and the why behind it. We look forward to the next opportunity to have Matt back on the show.
Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Sportiqe is a global, lifestyle apparel brand that is committed to delivering elevated basics using premium fabrics, innovative designs and an on-trend fit that not only look and feel good, but provide superior comfort no matter the occasion.
Outfitting more than four-million people around the world since its inception in 2006, Sportiqe designs, manufactures and sells premium, Modern American comfort wear for men, women and youth with a focus on t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, headwear and more. All apparel is designed and decorated in Sportiqe’s home-state of Ariz.
The company was founded on the success of its wholesale division, which bridges the gap between the fan and fashion world by providing comfortable attire with on-trend garments and graphics to a number of globally recognized brands including the NBA, Nintendo, Dave Matthews Band, Peloton and Live Nation, to name a few. For more information about Sportiqe, visit Sportiqe.com.
The brand was founded on the success of its wholesale division, which bridges the gap between the fan and fashion world by providing comfortable attire with on-trend graphics to a variety of globally recognized brands across the entertainment, sporting, food and beverage, health and wellness, and tech and gaming industries.
Serving as a fashion house for clients, Sportiqe designs, creates and delivers elevated and on-trend, custom apparel for companies who can choose from a graphics package from the Sportiqe wheelhouse or work with the company’s skilled graphic design team for custom looks and themes
Sportiqe believes in making an impact that reaches far beyond its comfortable fabrics and clothing. That’s why Sportiqe is dedicated to improving the lives of children in crisis around the world by investing their time and resources in causes that support their mission.
As co-founder and CEO of Sportiqe, Matt Altman is a Phoenix native who spent more than a decade as the director of merchandise for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks and NHL’s Arizona Coyotes where he oversaw all retail operations including buying, sourcing, designing, product development, inventory, sales and logistics for Talking Stick Arena and Chase Field.
In 2006, Altman co-founded Sportiqe, a global, lifestyle apparel company, that is committed to delivering elevated basics using high-quality fabrics, innovative designs and on-trend fit that not only look and feel good, but provide superior comfort no matter the occasion. Sportiqe quickly became a household name amongst some of the most recognizable brands, athletes and celebrities in the world after landing a licensing deal with the NBA early on and being amongst the first apparel companies to bridge the gap between the sports fan and fashion world.
To date, Sportiqe collaborates with global leaders like the NBA, Nintendo, TREK, Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Warner Bros. and the Dave Matthews Band, to name a few. Sportiqe has outfitted more than four-million people around the world since its inception.
Altman has a lifelong passion for helping people – supporting them to live their dreams and be the best version of themselves. He serves on the board of The Prem Rawat Foundation, which addresses the fundamental human needs of food, water and peace. He is a member of Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) and serves on the board of the Arizona Chapter.
Altman holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from the University of Arizona. In his personal life, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, as well as practicing yoga, skiing, travelling and living his life with the goal of always learning.
Follow Sportiqe on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter.
About Our People and Profit Co-Hosts
Sarah McCraren is an Arizona native with a strong sense of community. Sarah spent many years in the corporate finance world specializing in the operational analysis, measurement and accountability systems, project management and software implementations. However, Sarah wanted to do work which was meaningful and would positively impact her community.
She found that saving lives and reducing injuries through comprehensive safety programs fit that bill. Sarah currently leads the McCraren Compliance team by keeping everyone focused on their primary purpose, creating workplaces where we all watch out for each other, and balancing the needs of all their stakeholders.
Sarah serves on the Boards for Conscious Capitalism Arizona and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration Tucson Chapter, and is also active with the Arizona Builders Alliance, Arizona Rock Products Association , Arizona Transportation Builders and Women in Mining Az.
Sarah McCraren
Part of an Awesome Team
www.McCrarenCompliance.com
Creating Workplaces Where We All Watch Out for Each Other
No arm twisting is required to get Jeremy Neis, a CC Arizona leadership team member, to engage in conversation with impassioned business minds on the topic of leveraging enterprise to create long lasting advancements for humanity.
His two plus decades of entrepreneurial experience, leading strategic initiatives and tailoring solutions for organizations, families and individuals has led to a strong appreciation of the profound impact business wields over the people it serves and relies upon.
It is his delight to explore with inspiration, show guests their experiences, observations and approaches to doing business in a people centered manner.
About Our Sponsor – Conscious Capitalism Arizona
Business has the potential to be a powerful force for good.
Free enterprise capitalism has served to lift more people out of poverty than any other socio-economic system ever conceived – empowering social cooperation, human progress, and elevating humanity. 
Good business is the answer to many of the global issues that humankind is facing. This is what we will dive into on the show.
We are working to change the capitalism narrative by shining a bright light on good business – telling the stories of conscious Arizona companies and encouraging others to follow in their footsteps.
