Tech One Designs in Minden, Nevada makes graphics and apparel for racers, both amateur and professionals.

Sometimes finding the right business takes a while and sometimes it’s something a person was trained to do in the first place. For Barry “Jamie” Bonner his route to opening and building Tech One Designs was like that.

“I went to school for graphic design in Seattle and did that until 2000 when I moved to Tahoe,” he said. “Then I got out of it, had many jobs and made snow board videos for a snowboard shop.”

Eventually he and his wife later bought a hot tub business in the Tahoe area. However when Bonner came home what he wanted to do was design work.”So my wife said, ‘why not start a graphic company.'”

The real inspiration came when he ran into a wall trying to get some graphics done. And knowing a fellow in Gardnerville that had the necessary machine helped him get Tech One going.

Tech One owner Jamie Bonner in his shop designing graphics. Photo courtesy – Tech One Designs.

“When I first started I paid him to do printing for me then I started looking into equipment found the monthly payment wasn’t too expensive,” he said.

He soon learned that starting a business takes a bit more effort than most realize.

“It was a lot more overwhelming than I thought and hard to do correctly when you’re part time,” he said. “I learned and am still learning as probably the biggest complaint is that we take a long time to get things done but the whole business has been just me. Now I’m getting to the point I can put more time in Tech One and we really work hard to get everyone’s stuff done quickly.

“It was hard and is still hard but I think this year is when we are doing things correctly as I can spend more time and we can start moving this thing much better.”

One problem Bonner explained is that he and his wife still have their hot tub business. The means he’s jumping between each business and many times it’s a challenge due to the time needed for each enterprise .

Over the years Tech One has been expanding both in assisting customers as well as Bonner starting a company, Relius Wraps that creates wraps for vehicles and the like.

Jamie Bonner by his van that advertises both his graphic and wrap business. Photo courtesy – Tech One Designs.

He also does printing for other graphic companies as well as his own.He explained that many of these companies are people just using a computer for designs but lack printing capability.

Tech One has also produces a line of apparel that includes T-shirts, jackets and pit shirts, which team members wear during events.

This team uses both graphics for their bike as well as pit shirts and a rider’s uniform from Tech One Design. Photo courtesy – Tech One Designs.

Like any business, the economic meltdown had an effect but Bonner really wasn’t hurt by it.

“Honestly we were lucky because I have the hot tub business and we made money through it,” he said. “I don’t depend on Tech One for mortgage and if things are slow, it doesn’t hurt me too terribly bad.”

Over the past few years he’s seen an improvement in the market for his products.

“I’ve seen a huge upswing, we’ve had a lot of people coming to us for clothing and graphics,” he said. “When our new website is done thing will get better for us. Now I need to figure out how to have employees. Right now I have Kevin Fox doing all my printing for me.”

Jamie Bonner and Kevin Fox in Tech One’s shop. Photo courtesy – Tech One Designs.

One of Bonner’s high school friends gave him a great deal on building and administrating his new website. That friend’s business is doing this type of work.

When he was a youngster Bonner discovered skate boarding. He commented that the group of friends he met then really helped him during those years.

He said anytime a kid moves or wants to make friends, he’d recommend skate boarding.

“The people are non-judgemental and just want to have a good time so it’s great for making lasting friendships,” he said.

That experience was the motivation to forming a Tech One motocross team in the Gardnerville area. It’s open to any kid that wants to be a part of the sport and even offers support to parents new to motocross.

Bonner’s son Oliver races motocross and his bike sports Tech One graphics. Photo courtesy – Tech One Designs.

“The only reason we’re doing this is for the kids. It costs money, I don’t make money from it, but it’s worth it to me if these kids can be part of something,” he said. “We give the a deal on graphics to show them our support. But for any other team, we’d do that in a second as we would help anybody.”

For years Bonner used to compete on the desert with MRANN but now his market is in motocross. He has customers that are pro riders, compete in freestyle motocross and even Formula 1 champion Louis Hamilton has Tech One graphics on his recreational vehicles.

“We sponsor Beau Bamburg on the Nitro Circus Tour and Colton Aeck, who races both Supercross and the Outdoor series,” he said

While Aeck may only be a top 20 rider right now, it’s the amount of time he spends pushing his sponsors that impressed Bonner.

An ad for two of Tech One’s professional riders that are sponsored and carry the shop’s graphics. Photo courtesy – Tech One Design.

One local supporter of the business has been Testa Motor Sports in Gardnerville.

“They have supported us since day one. Anything we offer, they buy it. And probably a quarter of things we get come from them,” he said

Now that he’s able to spend more time on the business he’s optimistic about the future.

“I want to do more graphics and clothing but to keep it simple,” he said. “Want to make it as profitable as possible so I can give it to my son Oliver to help him down the road. He races and that’s why we started the team.”

As for the future, it’s simple, “I just want to see the business go and have a really good time.

For more information on Tech One Designs one can go to their website; www.techonedesigns.com or call them at 775-790-0381.

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