Bedford Woman Starts Online Boys Clothing Company

Bedford resident Colette Jurnak has started an online boys apparel company marketing to moms of boys.

The apparel line consists of T-shirts showing a young boy getting into different precarious situations: digging up his mother's flowers, riding a train down a skateboard ramp, and watching football like he has seen his dad do.

Jurnak said she often found moments where her son and his friends reminded her of things that grown men would do. One day at the bus stop while watching her son play with other boys, she remarked that he was acting like a "Man in Training."

A few years of research and putting together some former co-workers with talents that complimented her own led to the launch of a retail website featuring the boys apparel line, Man in Training.

"It wasn't hard coming up with the designs for our shirts," Jurnak said. "Over coffee, at book club, or sharing a bottle of wine with other moms – the ideas just flowed naturally. There are many more designs to come. Boys will always find ways to cause trouble while stealing their mothers' hearts."  

The T-shirts, which are available in sizes from newborn to Adult XL, are printed in Amherst by Jeff Lee of VarsiTee Ink Apparel Decorators. Organic T-shirts are also available. The designs on all of the shirts are printed with eco-friendly water-based ink, without the use of solvents and harsh chemicals.

Jurnak approached Silvertech of Manchester to assist with the design of the company's website. She wanted manintraining.com to not only be a retail store, but also an online community for moms of boys.

"We are girls, they are boys," she said. "Sometimes, we just don't get it. Man in Training brings moms together so we know that we are not alone." 

The website also provides an opportunity for moms to share their own experiences.