Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanequa Geter.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Sassy Teez Printing Co. was created with an arts and crafts night with my oldest daughter, whom at the time was six years old. Arts and crafts night was a way to bond with my daughter and to discover her likes and dislikes. While I thought I was discovering her, I was actually discovering myself.
My first t-shirt the public would see was for my daughter car wash school event. The school did not have any shirts for the event so I decided to make one for my daughter. I came up with a design, and once the design was approved by the school. I rushed out to Walmart and bought iron on transfers. On the day of the event, my daughter wore her shirt proudly and we received so many compliments. I even received an order request from the event and in that moment was when I knew, T-shirt Printing was going to be apart of my life. Once I reached home on that very day, I Googled “How to print T-shirts Professionally.”
Now I was sitting there with a new business venture and no money or real experience to start. I decided to make a plan or goals on how I was goin to open this new business. My first goal was to get a machine for the new year with my income tax money. I knew I had to invest into myself and my business to get it started.
After I made all the necessary purchases, I had to train my self on how to use the machines. So while working my 9-5 on lunch breaks and after work I would watch YouTube Videos. I studied the “How to” until I knew for sure how to run the machine properly.
After about a month or two of getting myself comfortable with the machines, I established what type of customers I wanted to gear my business to and I accept aspiring designers, events coordinators, and professionals. While in the creation phase of my business I created a Facebook page and then I went to Instagram after I was established.
Once I officially opened my business, my very first customer was an Aspiring Designer of children clothes and I printed her designs and logos on her T-shirts, joggers, hoodies, etc.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles are and understatement and you have to go through it to get to the good part. When I first thought I was going to open a business, I didn’t have the money to start. I was only able to afford an DBA from the courthouse. I had to wait six months or more to start the business. After the business was started I had computer malfunctions during an order of 100 shirts. I did not have enough money to go buy another computer to help complete this order so I had to borrow a computer from family to get through. I had shirts I ordered online come in different shades or sizes that ran smaller and your shirt order would be due in five days or so. I had plenty of late night phone calls to the online store getting things in order. But at the end of it all, it was all worth it when you have a satisfied customer.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sassy Teez Printing Company – what should we know?
Sassy Teez Printing Co. is an apparel printing company. I am the Owner/Face and also your design team. I print mostly apparel (T-Shirts, Joggers, Hoodies, etc.). We specialize in printing for personal or business events, designer and professional apparel. What sets Sassy Teez apart from the others is we have one on one session time with the customer to create the perfect design for their event or clothing-line. And we have Customer Appreciation day every year for Valentine’s Day which is a free gift.
What makes me proud of opening Sassy Teez Printing Co. is I have met so many different entrepreneurs. I have printed so many different things from door signage to coffee mugs and wine glasses for so many different people. Watching my customers open their Sassy Teez bag is like watching them open a Christmas gift it gives me a wonderful feeling seeing their faces light up. I honestly can say taking this leap of faith and starting this venture was the best thing I have ever done.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
The characteristic I feel that is most important to my success was building patience, professionalism and the understanding of how I want the public to view me as an owner and my product.
Contact Info:
- Email: sassyteez2012@gmail.com
- Instagram: sassyteezprintingco
- Other: Sassy Teez Printing Company
Image Credit:
Sariya Carter
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