One of the things that I've always enjoyed is talking about art with our other artists. On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll wade forehead deep into some tasty art ways with my friend Jon Anderson with XLNT 3D Art. Jon has been designing amazing t-shirts for years and now, he applies his craft to something completely different: courtroom graph…

It's rock star day at the Success Stories Podcast! Today, you will be lucky enough to hear all about Johanna Gottlieb, the powerhouse sales force, who lives in the windy city of Chicago. She has been a staple in the promotional products industry for a long time, and is a force multiplier for any organization she touches. On today's show, we'll lear…

If you've read any business books in the past few years, you'll know that a lot of them advise you to do things differently. Well, our guest today on the Success Stories podcast not only does things his own way, he authored a book to outline what he believes in, and why it should resonate with you, too. Of course, I'm talking about Ryan Schraffenbe…

On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll chat with Joe Ortinau now with Ortinau Art in Pemberville, Ohio. Joe has a unique spin on running a t-shirt shop. From wearing flip-flops daily to his viewpoint on creativity. He has built a great business in his corner of Ohio. So how does he think about creating someone's new favorite shirt? You'll learn …

On today's Success Stories podcast, the guest is none other than Nashville's own Adam Tanaka. Adam is a thought leader, consultant, and merch specialist and he's also an entrepreneur with several businesses to his name. On today's show, we'll chat with Adam about his origins, building companies, and you're gonna want to know this to future of merch…

You're in for a real treat on today's Success Stories podcast! Cole Lundstrom with LA-based ShirtAgency -- is on the show! Cole has been the driving force behind the success of this business since its inception in 2012. Want to know how great a shop Cole has? Well, brands like Bella + Canvas and NextLevel film their marketing videos in his shop; so…

Let's talk sales. And if you want to truly talk sales, let's chat with one of the best in the industry, Tim Gibson, Tim has held major sales roles and some of the top apparel companies in the industry. So what makes a great salesperson? Where do leads come from? How do you keep customers coming back for more? We'll get into all that and more with T…

What is it like to design and print for the big boys? On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll speak with Kim Cartano, who has worked with Team Edition apparel, also known as Footlocker for over two decades. Kim will share her story, some process ideas, and what she's excited about in the future of apparel decorating. This is going to be a good on…

One art term used for decades in the decorated apparel industry is simulated process. This technique separates an image into spot colors to build the correct colors and simulate the usual four-color separation process. On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll speak with Dave Gardner, who invented and perfected that technique. We'll go to art schoo…

On today's Success Stories podcast, I'm delighted to have the one and only Scott Fresener on the show! Scott was instrumental in bringing DTG technology to the industry. He wrote the book "How to Print T-shirts for Fun and Profit!" And is an expert in separating art for printing. So buckle up campers, we'll have a fun episode today!…

On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll talk to Matt Reese with Blk Ankr Originals about his career in Maryland: the self-proclaimed sailing capital of the world, and now he has established a foothold in the Annapolis area. Matt does things his way and has a unique spin on keeping local businesses loyal to him. And we're going to learn all about …

Are you a fan of sports apparel? Want to know the secrets behind building something for a brand? Well, you are in luck! As today on the Success Stories podcast, we'll be speaking to Mariellen Auer with Custom Apparel Stores about just that. Whether you're starting a brand growing a brand or working with sublimated apparel, Mariellen can help you. L…

If you are in the print-on-demand game, today's guest will be someone you need to hear. Jed Siefert with stakes manufacturing in Eastlake, Ohio, joins us today to chat all about high-volume digital print-on-demand services. They have one of the largest print-on-demand shops in the United States so you are in for a real treat. But that's not all! Th…

If you are a fan of great-looking t-shirts, especially those with a race car, then today’s episode of Success Stories will be built just for you. Today on the show, we welcome Bruce Kittle, an industry vet since 1983. He’s been designing for national sports teams, the music industry, labor unions, national parks, and the auto racing industry. Bruce…

We have a real treat for you on today's Success Stories podcast. How do you go from working as a new hire in the screen room to working all the way up to running a massive production facility printing millions of shirts…to starting your own small print shop and beginning your own entrepreneurial journey? Today we’re talking with Nate Leber with Leb…

On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll talk to Ben Spurlock with SE Impressions in Lebanon, Tennessee just outside of Nashville. He's a second-generation t-shirt printer and has taken over the business from his parents. How has he taken his business to another level with increased sales, new processes, standards, and organization? We'll learn al…

Today’s guest on the Success Stories podcast is Erich Campbell, and we’ll focus on all things embroidery. Erich is a prolific writer, content creator, and a fantastic teacher. You may have seen him at a trade show, on the 2 Regular Guys podcast, or on his own podcast, The Takeup. But what do you actually know about Erich? How did he get into this b…

Since 2009, Corvallis Custom has been a mainstay in the Oregon region for custom-printed apparel, promotional items, and large-format print production. They have served in the collegiate market since day one, with a recent name, image likeness, or ni l movement they have been helping athletes was customized merchandise that reflects their unique pe…

If one person in the decorated apparel industry has been leading the charge on innovation, it is Michelle Moxley Hruby. She always seems to be at the forefront of the next big thing. But where did all of that start? On this episode of Success Stories, we’ll chat with Michelle about her roots and career journey and what she is excited about now. So,…

How do you grow from a germ of an idea into a partnership and a flourishing business? That’s the subject of today’s podcast with guest Marckendy Jean and Jabir Ducasse with Somerville Printing by Villeside Customs. They partnered up in 2018 and have been a leading apparel decoration shop in the Somerville, Massachusetts, area since. We’ll learn wha…

Behind the oil industry, fashion is the second leading global polluter. As part of the decorated apparel industry, this is something that we should be concerned about. One person who cares is our guest today on the Success Stories podcast. His name is Ben Grossman, and he’s leading the charge at SwagCycle. Their mission is to help companies repurpo…

Starting out in his parent’s garage, Jeff Meilander has built a thriving contract apparel decoration business in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. They serve a variety of businesses and decoration types, where literally no job is too big or too small. We’ll dig into all of that with Jeff and learn how he has built his company from the ground up into a major pl…

You're in for a real treat on today's Success Stories podcast. In 1978, Greg Muzzillo began to start in the industry by starting his own company perform up with a $200 investment and an answering machine and some business cards. He started franchising, his distributorship model in 1986. And fast forward today, the company has over 650 offices with …

One of the leading process-driven shops in the industry is Tiny Fish Printing in Rochester, NY. Tony Esteves has worked diligently to create a fantastic shop, and on today’s Success Stories podcast, he’ll share his journey and what makes his shop tick. So, if you are interested in learning more about how to build a process-driven shop that uses SOP…

When do you decide to start your own shop? That’s the subject of today’s Success Stories podcast with guest Ray Markey with Evrik Imprints in Flint Township, Michigan. Ray has always believed in himself and what he brings to the table. Gathering resources and pushing out to begin his entrepreneurial journey was the next evolutionary step for him. W…

On today’s Success Stories podcast, we’ll take a hard look at retail merchandising with industry veteran Seth Anderson with Westside Merchandising. You might not know their name, but you’ve seen their work in virtually every mall or concert venue in the United States. With over 160,000 square feet of combined production space in Mexico and the US, …

What happens when a few college buddies get together and start hosting local events? Sooner or later, they will need t-shirts. That’s what happened back in 1984 when Steve Taylor with Native Sons Apparel Printing begin printing and selling their own merch. A lot has evolved for Native Sons since then, and we’ll get into that and more on this next e…

We all talk about alignment with our customers. One shop, in particular, has taken that to another level with its focus on sustainability, company culture, and branding, and that is Dom Rosacci’s shop Superior Ink in Denver, Colorado. On today’s Success Stories podcast, we’ll speak with Dom and learn about his shop and its focus on doing things cor…

One mark of success is how you inspire or help other people on this planet. On today's Success Stories podcast, we'll chat with King Tilley about his life's journey has helped him focus on giving back to the world. Buckle up and get ready for a moving and inspirational journey that also has a business edge to it too…

One of the true treasures in this industry has to be Richard Greaves. He started in this industry in 1979, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has held many roles and shops and companies in the supply chain. During his career, Richard has traveled the world, assisting shops with improvement and changes, and as always open to assisting someone new to resol…

What if you built your business on some core positive attributes like Love and Sustainability? That’s what Citrus Heights, California shop owner Jessica Tillery has done with her business, All Quality Graphics. She turned her background in corporate wellness into a business that is all about giving back and enriching others. On today’s Success Stor…

Occasionally in business, we have to take a “Leap of Faith” and trust that things will succeed. That’s the background story with today’s Success Stories podcast guest, Josh Wylie, with IGG Screen Printing and Graphics in El Reno, Oklahoma. It is a family business, and you’ll learn all about how their dedication to doing things the right way has pro…

How do you know when it is right to shift your business from one strategy to another completely? That’s the focus of today’s Success Stories podcast, as we’ll talk to Josiah Blackmore with Red Threads in Midland, Michigan. Red Threads went from a retail focus and in-house production company to one that outsources the work and has brought in a diffe…

As everyone should know by now, the fundamentals of business matter. On today’s Success Stories podcast, LaTonna Roberson - also known as the Lady Print Boss, will share her thoughts on the industry, what are the key fundamentals for running a profitable business, and her views on what’s ahead for the industry. LaTonna operates her company, T-shirt…

Just how good are the processes in your shop? What do you do if you learn something and need to begin installing what you have learned? On today’s Success Stories podcast, we’ll dig into that continuous improvement conversation with Cory Beal with Floodway Print Co in Winnipeg, Canada. Cory’s journey started from the early days as a BMX bike rider …

It’s been said that it is important to be different if you want to stand out from a crowd. As the self-title Fairy Gothmother in Roanoke, Virginia’s Big Lick Screen Printing, Marj Easterling, has done that. Her local Roanoke magazine dubbed her “the face of custom apparel.” This was no accident. For Marj, what earned her that title was her emphasis…

On today’s Success Stories podcast, we will discuss starting a t-shirt side hustle with the guru on this, Stan Banks. Stan has amassed a large YouTube following for his show “T-shirt Side Hustle,” which has over 100,000 subscribers. But how did he get started? What is it like to have a successful t-shirt YouTube show career? How does Stan see the f…

What happens when both you and your wife lose your jobs and also find out that you are expecting your first child? Naturally, you start a business and work both hard and fast to grow your new company. That’s how today’s guest Jonathan Tynes with Kick Print, started out with his shop. Since then, he and his wife Danielle have continually evolved the…

One of the true legends of the industry is Mark Coudray. A master printer, forward-thinking entrepreneur, and mentor to a myriad of shops in the industry. Mark has helped scores of businesses across the globe reach their profit potential. On today’s Success Stories podcast we’ll take a look back to the past, and also be scouting out the future, wit…

One of the most remarkable Success Stories in the industry is Chicago’s own, Culture Studio. In today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with Rich Santo about providing tour merch for some of the biggest names in the music industry, how they launched their own shop software, and how they have grown over the years. Get ready to be inspired as we chat about…

What would you do if you could spend some time with a person who has been active in this industry since 1976? What questions would you ask? What would you want to know? That’s what we’re going to do on this episode of Success Stories as our guest for the podcast is none other than Charlie Taublieb. If you have attended a trade show in the past twen…

Let’s say you have a family-owned shop that has been around for over 43 years. You’ve gone from the early founding and startup years to the mega national music touring years, to the contract printing (Custom Ink) years, post-contract printing, COVID, and now a whole new era for your company. That’s what we’re going to discuss on today’s Success Sto…

How can screen printing a shirt or running a screen-printing business factor in with the aspect of mental health? What about the concept of running a business with a bigger mission mentality? On today’s Success Stories podcast we are going to hear the amazing journey of Amber Massey who runs T-shirts for Hope in Fortson, Georgia… which is 90 minute…

Today’s Success Stories podcast is all about how you find new information and put it to use in your shop. Terry Keeven with St. Louis Print Company has been refining his business since 2007 with new ideas. We’ll learn where these ideas come from, how he is implementing them, and what it takes to get continuous improvement changes working in a busin…

On today’s Success Stories podcast you are in for a real treat, as we have legendary industry character Pete Junior on board to talk about his family business, New Era Apparel in Oceanside, NY. Pete’s father started the business in 1989 with a single table-top press, and now they are one of the go-to shops in the northeast and New York City. We’ll …

On today’s Success Stories podcast we are going to focus on what it takes to change the focus of your business from one type of customer base to another. That’s what Ron Augelli with We Talk Shirty in Scranton Pennsylvania did, and he is going to share his insights with that journey. So grab some paper and a pencil and come along for the ride as we…

In today’s Success Stories Podcast, we will be hearing from Bobby Harris with K&B Promotions in Arlington Texas about how he’s built his shop around an excellent proactive culture, with the main ingredient being based on teamwork. Bobby’s shop is a contract decorator, and they handle screenprinting, embroidery, DTG, banners, and other work for thei…

On today's Success Stories podcast, we're going back to school. Shirt School that is, with the one and only Kerry Egeler. Kerry runs a highly successful online program that helps teach people how to succeed in the apparel industry. Whether it is with a Shopify store or another online platform, he has helped folks grow and manage their business with…

On today’s Success Stories podcast we are going to focus on what it is like to build out a family business that actually works. Heather Streible is the leader of a woman-owned apparel decorating company, Replica Screen Printing, that she runs with her family in Cave City, Kentucky. Their dedication to perfection, friendly customer service, and repu…

Sure, you've been in business for a few years... has the daily grind wear you down to a knob? Have you lost your passion for what you thought was an earth-shattering career move a few years ago? That absolutely is not the case with today's guests on this episode of Success Stories. Austin, Texas-based Tony Diaz with Industry Print Shop has been cra…