Beyond T-Shirts: The Art of Building Relationships in Business and Beyond

From humble beginnings in a barbershop's basement, I grew an apparel printing business.

It later became a million-dollar company in under a decade.

This journey wasn't without its challenges.

I faced numerous failures, lost a significant amount of money, and sacrificed countless weekends and even some friendships along the way.

Each setback was a learning opportunity, and I gained invaluable insights from each one.

We catered to everyone from local schools to big names like Nike and the Trail Blazers.

Here's my approach:

I was proactive on Instagram, constantly networking and reaching out through direct messages to people, organizations, brands, and bands – essentially anyone who could benefit from my services.

I took the initiative by genuinely connecting with local business owners. Understanding their need for merchandise, I offered them the perfect solution through my print shop

But more than that, I believed in building relationships, not just making sales.

I showed up, asked questions, showcased their stories on my Instagram, and delivered more than just T-shirts – I delivered trust and support.

This approach wasn't just about networking; it was about investing time, energy, and resources into helping others succeed.

That's how I built a community around my business.

After selling my print shop and entering the authorpreneur space, my approach hasn't changed.

I'm still committed to offering unique value to those I work with, especially in the Rising Authors community.

Here, I help authors grow their brand and voice through effective social media strategies and a solid online presence.

My confidence comes from a deep belief in the dreams of others, which in turn helps me realize my own.

I use the same approach; however, now, I use LinkedIn, where the people I seek to help hang out.

The decade I spent running that shop taught me more than I ever realized at the time.

Here's me trying hard in 2016 to launch a podcast to showcase some of these business owners.

Give value, make it about them, receive opportunities.