A lot of feeling good comes from looking good—at least that’s what Vicki Trejo believes.
A native of Santa Maria and former employee of the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Trejo is now the owner of Uniforms & More.
“My husband and I drove around looking for a needed business,” Trejo explained, adding that they discovered there wasn’t a store specializing in uniforms for doctors and nurses. They started their business venture in 2002, but didn’t take it seriously until 2005.
The business has grown to now include three different locations in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Trejo said they put a lot of work into the business.
“We used to bring our toothbrushes and sleep in the store,” Trejo said. “My kids were raised in this environment.”
Uniforms & More features 24 different lines of scrubs for women and men. Walking into the store and taking a quick glance around shows just how far scrubs have come.
Shelves and racks full of every brand and style of scrubs are laid out throughout the store. Gone are the days of itchy, stiff, blue scrub— instead, Trejo welcomes fashion and function.
Trejo said that after spending time with her grandma in the hospital, she now understands just how much doctors and nurses do.
“They are serving people at their most vulnerable,” Trejo said. “They work long days; there’s no need for them to feel drabby.”
Drabby isn’t the word that comes to mind when you browse through the scrubs at Trejo’s store.
“A lof of companies are seeking out high-fashion designers to help design uniforms,” she said.
From Ecko to Baby Phat, Uniforms & More has a plethora of fashionable scrubs for professionals to choose from. From lace detailing available on the Rampage scrubs, to the country-inspired scrubs designed by Mary Engelbret.
Trejo even has a Grey’s Anatomy and Katherin Heigl line available. She said uniforms have come a long way in not only appearence, but function and feel as well.
“The material is much more comfortable than it used to be,” she said. “These uniforms need to allow for a lot of movement.”
Men’s scrubs are becoming more high-end too, as companies reach out to designers such as Carrhart.
Trejo also carries a selection of surgical caps of varying design, as well as a selection of shoes.
She said that in addition to medical staff, teachers and servers also come in looking for cute, comfortable shoes for work. There is also an array of decorated lanyards and personalized surgical tools and stethescopes also available. For nurses who face tighter restrictions on scrub color, there’s a selection of bright, ’50s era inspired purses to help spice up uniforms.
Trejo said an important part of her job is really getting to know her products so that she can help professionals find the right fit of functional scrubs.
Uniforms & More also specializes in culinary uniforms and embroidery.
“Before I started running a business, I worked for the migrant program through the [school] district,” Trejo said. “I’ve always wanted to serve people.”
Uniforms & More is located at 722 E. Main St. Call 928-6513 for more information.
Highlights
• More than 15 local wineries will be participating in the fifth annual Vino de Sueños (Wine of Dreams) benefit for People Helping People on Nov. 3 at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott in Buellton.
Bringing together vintners and artists, the event is a celebration of the “first release” of wines under the new Vino de Sueños brand, which will be available for tasting and sales. In addition, the original artwork for each of the wine labels will be placed on silent auction.
The fundraiser takes place from 3 to 6 p.m., and includes catered appetizers and live music. Participating wineries include Foxen, Buttonwood, Longoria, and Alma Rosa.
For more information, visit vinodesuenos.com.
Staff Writer Kristina Sewell wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Highlights are written and compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Oct 4-11, 2012.