Imagine you’re at a bustling youth soccer tournament, the air buzzing with excitement. You notice kids from various teams eagerly exchanging something small, shiny, and evidently full of significance. This scene, which caught the eye of Jon Bivens’ wife Connie while their son played in a Canada-based tournament in 1979, sparked a business idea that would thrive for over four decades. Enter Sport Pins International Inc., a company that filled a niche by bringing the tradition of pin exchanging to youth sports events across the USA.
Connie Bivens, turned the recognition of a need into an opportunity. Today, Sport Pins is a testament to the vision and determination of a couple who believed in the potential of a family room business. As Jon recounts, “In the early days, I supported the venture through artwork by hand in the evenings and attending trade shows on the weekends.” What began as evening ventures and weekend trips to trade shows, evolved into a full-time commitment that both he and his wife embraced with open arms.
Their routine was grueling but fulfilling: “work all week, fly out somewhere on Friday to a trade show, do the show on Saturday, fly home on Sunday, and then back to work on Monday,” Jon says. A schedule like this requires not just dedication but passion—a passion that clearly runs deep in the Bivens family.
By 1989, Sport Pins International had grown into a burgeoning enterprise that could support the Bivens family, encouraging Jon to retire from his corporate position and devote himself entirely to the company. Fast forward to the present, the company has long outgrown its humble beginnings in the family room and now operates out of a 14,000 square foot building. It’s a family legacy continuing into its third generation, showing no signs of slowing down.
Sport Pins International Inc. has expanded its product line beyond the initial pins to include a full line of promotional products (medallions, coins, embroidered patches, decals, t-shirts, hats, and other merchandise). Sport Pins International Inc. | Awards, Promotional Products and amswagstore.
With over 44 years of experience, Jon and his team continue to uphold the company’s tagline: “MAKE MEMORIES OF YOUR EVENT LAST A LIFETIME™”.
For those curious to witness the magic that Sport Pins offers, Jon invites you to check out their 3 minute video here. It’s a sneak peek into the creativity and craftsmanship that go into every product designed by the family-run enterprise. Or simply make contact here.
The enduring success of Sport Pins International Inc. is not just in the product but in the culture and relationship it builds with its clients. From youth leagues to professional sports, the reach of their products spans wide, capturing every meaningful moment and turning it into a tangible keepsake.
The Bivens family’s story is one of entrepreneurial spirit, family unity, and the understanding that fulfilling a need in the market could lead to extraordinary accomplishments. As Jon and Connie have showcased, with the right blend of observation, opportunity, and tireless dedication, a small business can blossom into a lasting legacy.
To connect with the Sport Pins team, you can find them actively sharing their latest designs and success stories on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram Sport Pins International, Inc. (@sportpins) – Instagram. With each post, they invite us into the world of commemorating sportsmanship, achievements, and memories—one pin at a time. Their legacy is a reminder that sometimes, the simplest observations can be the seed for a thriving, multi-generational business, carving its niche and leaving a mark on the industry.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
