Cool looks for Sound Machine: When N.C. Central University’s marching band Sound Machine steps out onto the Rose Bowl field on Jan. 1, the performers will be decked out in attires designed by Subject 2 Change Customs, a graphic design and apparel company based in Durham.

Subject 2 Change delivered 230 caps, polo shirts and warm-up shirts, not to mention 920 T-shirts to the Sound Machine. This was the 6-year-old company’s largest order to date, according to co-owner Jamie Patterson, an NCCU grad.

The company has also donated about 250 tote bags to band members for the event. The donated totes “are a chance for us to give back to the band and to share in the excitement of this national opportunity for NCCU,” Patterson said.

NCCU has been a client of Subject 2 Change’s since its founding in 2004 by Patterson and business partner Nykia Elvy, a Duke grad who has an MBA from Fordham University.

The 122nd Rose Parade, “Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories,” will take place 8 a.m. Jan. 1, featuring 16 marching bands from throughout the nation along with floral floats and high-stepping equestrian units. The parade is a part of the Tournament of Roses and takes place immediately before the Rose Bowl Game. The Sound Machine is the first band from a historically black college/university from North Carolina invited to the prestigious event.

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Bull market: Buzz checked in this week with Tom Campbell, organizer of Sustain-a-Bull, to see whether the shop local campaign turned out to be, well, sustainable.

Local businesses with Sustain-a-Bull offered discounts and promotions throughout the week after Thanksgiving. The event sought to bring attention to local businesses and draw some of that holiday season shopping to the local economy.

From the sound of it, Sustain-a-Bull did help, and Campbell hopes to expand it into a larger organization and have a couple events a year.

“We got reports from places that they did well,” said Campbell, who is also co-owner of The Regulator Books. “It’s continuing to be a positive factor in our sales. Lots of people mention it when they come in.”

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SNbSNew: Verizon Wireless purchases can now be made in hhgregg, the appliances retailer located on Renaissance Parkway near The Streets at Southpoint.

The Cellular Connection, the largest Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer in the Midwest, has opened a kiosk in the store, one of 12 it has opened in North Carolina.

The kiosks offer a full array of Verizon Wireless customer support, products and services, including the latest 3G smartphones. Customers will be able to pay their bills, get services and upgrades at the kiosk.

What’s the Buzz? Call Business Writer Monica Chen at (919) 419-6636, send a fax to (919) 419-6889 or e-mail mchen@heraldsun.com.

Read more: The Herald-Sun – Sound Machine looks good too

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/10723364/article-Sound-Machine-looks-good–too?instance=BUSINESS-buzz