MVT Spotlight: Matthew Shannon, Champion Trophy
Wednesday June 25, 2014
Champion Trophy at 409 K Street is Washington’s oldest and largest awards and trophy company. For more than 52 years, Champion has provided superior trophies, plaques, clocks, medals, signs, and other items of recognition to the Washington, D.C. Area. The store’s customers include individuals, corporations, churches, schools, universities, hospitals, businesses, non-profits, governments (local, state and federal), sororities, fraternities and community-based organizations. They can do everything from crystal and acrylic to bronze casting, corporate awards, custom designed and sublimated items. Check out their website at www.dcchampiontrophies.com.
MVTCID: You’ve been a DC resident for a very long time – can you tell us a bit about your history in DC and Mount Vernon Triangle?
MATTHEW SHANNON: I visited Champion as a college student to purchase a small trophy 46 years ago and several more times as a young professional. During one of my visits, I said to the sales clerk: “This is a very nice store, perhaps some day when I have time, I’d like to operate an awards store.” Nearly a quarter of a century later, when I visited Champion to purchase a plaque for my church, the owner, Alice Spellman, asked “Aren’t you the man that wanted a trophy shop… would you like to buy this business?” An almost fortuitous question because my daughter Tiffany had just finished a second degree in graphic design. It was a perfect time to launch her into business. That was nearly a decade ago. Tiffany and the Champion Team are proud to carry on the high standard of service which has allowed Champion to survive and shine as Washington’s largest trophies and awards business for more than half a century. We have a hardworking team at Champion which is committed to quality products and service.
MVTCID: The community has changed a lot over the years – – can you tell us your thoughts on the changes you’ve seen – the good and the challenges for a small business?
MATTHEW SHANNON: The most significant challenge to our business model has been online sales from China. Our standard is 100% customer satisfaction as compared to “a gamble” with online purchasing. Many customers shop online in China and thereafter must come to Champion to correct or replace items shipped with errors. We have incorporated a competitive online marketing and purchase program with a double guarantee: we are local to assure customer satisfaction. Our team has found that what makes this business rewarding is the job of seeing customers’ happiness with the finished products for their special persons or events.
MVTCID: How has your business changed to mirror the City’s development?
MATTHEW SHANNON: Two additions have enabled Champion to mirror recent development… showroom upgrade and personal delivery of our products
MVTCID: What would you like our local residents and businesses to know about Champion Trophies that they might not be aware of?
MATTHEW SHANNON: Champion serves a variety of corporate clients and we offer a full line of corporate recognition productions for various levels of incentives and events.
MVTCID: Thank you, Matthew!
