Canadian soldier starts custom-clothing company before retiring from military

A Canadian soldier has started his own business to help make soldiers’ transition to civilian life easier

Jeff Alpaugh has been in the military for eight years serving as a member of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).  He currently teaches at the infantry school at CFB Gagetown, but will be retiring on September 13.

When Alpaugh isn’t at the base, he and his partner Emliee Boychuk run a custom clothing company out of their downtown Fredericton condo — making what they call “the world’s most dangerous dress shirts.”

The couple came up with the idea when they were visiting Vietnam and saw a man wearing a brightly-coloured shirt. That man brought the inspiration for these snazzy, brightly coloured and patterned shirts that give people a sense of individuality.

Alpaugh says in the six months they’ve been in business, he and Boychuk have sold 1,100 shirts to 400 clients, bringing in $75,000 in revenue.

He says he’s been balancing his military job by day, then trading in his camouflage combat uniform for something more colourful on the off-times.

Alpaugh gets up at 5 a.m. each day designing shirts, and after working most of the day at the base, he comes home and works until midnight with Boychuk, — who’s been doing a majority of the work while he’s at work.

He says he’s looking forward to being able to focus all his time on the business.

He attributes his success to the values and skills he’s learned through the Canadian Armed Forces.

“The military is all about doing your best, going for it, you know, not having no fear, but having the courage to do things you might be afraid to do,” Alpaugh said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The military is all about doing your best, going for it, you know, not having no fear, but having the courage to do things you might be afraid to do," Alpaugh said.

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The shirts are made outside of Canada in Vietman, where Alpaugh’s brother oversees the production and supply chain side of the business.

“I love to see him do something he’s passionate about you know. He, over the years, has been so passionate about the military and now I see that exact same passion and excitement with the shirts,” Boychuk said.

Alpaugh says he’s sold shirts to many members of the military in Victoria, Edmonton, Toronto and Halifax.  He says everyone has been extremely supportive of the business.

“I think it’s important that veterans see that it is possible to get out of the military and thrive,”Alpaugh said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think it's important that veterans see that it is possible to get out of the military and thrive,"Alpaugh said.

Military colleague Martin Orr agrees that it’s important for Alpaugh to share his story with others.

“I think it’s very motivational to anyone who might be leaving the military and shows them that in short-order people can rally behind them and you can have a successful career outside of it,” Orr said.

Alpaugh says he’s going to stay in the reserves part-time and says he hopes the business will grow globally.