It All Started with My Husband

My Thought to Start an Online T-Shirt Business Started with my Husband

"Remember how you always told me I should give Etsy another shot?" I looked at my husband, a twinkle in my eye. "Well, I've finally taken your advice to heart!"

He grinned, "Did I say that?" He laughed.  

Working at a full-time job and driving part-time for DoorDash, starting an online business was the last thing on my mind. But the more I thought about it, the more it appealed.

I remember having several Etsy stores a while back, but they were more of a hobby than a business. I loved designing and putting those designs onto t-shirts, clocks, blankets, and other products. However, I never operated them like a business—until now.

Starting my Business

I began my business in December 2024. Rather than start with a business plan, I winged it. I just started. I supposed I had ideas in my mind, but I had nothing on paper. I was familiar with many business concepts, such as branding, marketing, and finding your passion.

A few months later, I have grown expeditiously in my experience.  I will share my journey with you in the hopes of helping you succeed in your endeavors.

Finding your Niche

There is a lot of advice out there for selling online.  Some approach business by researching all the popular niches.  You may be wondering, what are the top niches for selling online?  According to Gemini Google, finding a demand niche with low competition is good. 

Is there a problem I can solve?

We have all seen people on Shark Tank, social media, or TV advertising products that help consumers.  I recently saw a TikTok affiliate selling a magnet-type phone holder that allows creators to film from any direction.  Who knew the sticky note would solve organization and memory issues?  What problems can I solve with my T-shirts?  A major problem I encounter daily is the lack of joy and kindness.  By designing t-shirts with positive, happy images, perhaps I can send some joy and kindness into the world by encouraging my customers to "Wear their Happy."  Nakedness is another problem we all share.  We all need clothes, some more than others, just kidding.

What am I passionate about?

I have tried everything over the years.  I tried nail design, painting, coloring, writing, photography, and baking.  You name it, I have tried it.  A few things have stuck with me: my love for writing, my passion for graphic design, and my love for spreading positivity.

What are others passionate about?  Why would they buy my t-shirt over others?  I hope to serve customers like me who want to share joy. One tip I did not consider that I learned from Google Gemini is to make t-shirts for hobbyists.  That is a great idea!

Should my products be customizable?

Most definitely. We all like to put our personal spin on things. I make all of my designs customizable by changing the colors, adding words, or changing the content. I remember one time creating a blanket with over a hundred pictures for a mom who wanted to support her son in the playoffs. I felt good helping her. That's why I make everything customizable. 

Having Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Products

This thought never occurred to me; I am not going to lie.  I have not been conscious of the environment.  It's not that I don't care; I just never looked into it.  I try not to litter, but I can do much more to help the environment.  I am going to try to learn more about this.  I do know our t-shirts are eco-friendly.  The manufacturer, Gildan, states they make their shirts with respect for the climate, energy, and water.  Their shirts are "made with 100% U.S. Cotton that is sustainably grown and ethically harvested.:

Self-Improvement and Wellness

Self-improvement appeals to me as a lifelong learner. I have grown a lot by delving into my shadow, learning some of my bad traits, and aiming to fix them. I agree with Gemini Google that this area will always have a market.

In Summary

Putting this all together, I think I am on the right path.  I am genuinely excited about designing t-shirts, spreading joy, and enthusiastically connecting with my customers.  While I believe it is essential to seek out emerging trends, finding something you love is more sustainable; that way, work doesn't feel like work.  I tend to get lost in the flow of everything I do for my business.  Whether updating my website, writing my blog, or marketing my products, I love being in the flow.

One thing I did do was make it my own.  While it's easy to do what everyone else does, I wanted to keep my products unique to my personality and talents.  I want to stand out.

I would love to hear your thoughts.  Have you tried Etsy?  Do you sell products online?  Have you ever started a business?  What makes you want to purchase a T-shirt?

I hope that, no, I know I will be thanking my husband for his guidance one day.