Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Brooke Boyd.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley Brooke. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
About a year ago, I had a t-shirt design idea. I began researching different outlets to sell my shirt, but I decided I wanted to start my own company instead of selling through a site that has a lot of designs by other people. I talked to my parents, since I was a senior in high school at the time, and they agreed to help me start it. I was ready and excited to start selling my shirts in hopes of helping to pay for college.
I love cute t-shirts, and had thought about starting my own business for a while. My parents and I brainstormed some names, and we came up with Simply Be Tees. In our world today, sometimes it’s important to keep things simple. There are so many things that we can be in our lives that are very simple but make a big difference. One of our lines is the “Be” collection; Be Love, Be Kind, Be Joy, Be Brave, Be Fearless, Be Strong, Be Still, and Be Salt and Light. This line is our best selling and is simple and biblically based. Simply Be Tee’s mission is to not only provide high quality, cute shirts, but also to spread love and kindness and phrases of empowerment to the people who wear them.
As I start my first year of college, I am excited to see Simply Be Tees grow in the coming months. In addition to the “Be” collection, our other designs include college designs and game day t-shirts, shirts for moms, embroidered and vintage style t-shirts. Simply Be Tees looks forward to continuing to provide faith-based and fun shirts.
I’m going to Baylor University to study Graphic Design with a minor in Entrepreneurship!!!
Has it been a smooth road?
In the ten months that I have owned Simply Be Tees, I have learned a lot. Owning a small business for the first time is definitely a learning curve. Having to learn how to file taxes and making sure everything you are doing is legal was difficult at first since I do not have any previous business experience. My parents had to help me with getting everything in order. Another struggle I faced was learning how to effectively market my store. The beginning months were not easy. I had four sales in the first two months. To be honest, I was discouraged. But I researched how to market a t-shirt business and figured out a strategy that works for me!
My advice to women just now starting is not to give up, even if it seems like things won’t work out. Be persistent, especially if you are pursuing something you are passionate about. Your passion will show through your work. Learn customer service, and know that people can be mean… really mean. You can’t let it get to you though. Be confident in your company and be flexible. Set your hours, and don’t work outside of those hours so you don’t burn out. Treat your business like a job, and it will grow. The most important thing to remember is to give your business time: you won’t see success happen overnight. It has taken me almost a year to see the fruits of my labor. Keep working and trust the process!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Simply Be Tees story. Tell us more about the business.
I create cute shirts, most of them focusing on positivity and biblically-based designs. My brand is most known for the “be” collection. Our best seller has been the “Be Love” sweatshirt, and it makes me extremely happy to know that there are girls out there wearing my design and sharing love with others.
What sets my business apart is that my shirts are custom designed in-house and are printed in the United States. I know they are good quality because my family and I wear my shirts all the time. I take pride in the quality of my shirts, as well as the meaning behind the designs. Since I am both the owner and the designer, I not only design the shirts, but I am also the marketer and the customer service. Not many college students can say they have their own business, and although it is taxing at times, I am proud of how far Simply Be Tees has come.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
My most important piece of advice for a young woman just now starting her career is to not give up, even when things are challenging and money is tight. Believe in yourself and work hard to learn and grow, both as a person and as a business.
Pricing:
- T-shirts and Tank-tops – $24
- Long sleeve shirts – $28
- Sweatshirts – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: simplybetees.com
- Email: ashley@simplybetees.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/simplybetees
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplybetees
- Other: www.pinterest.com/simplybetees
Image Credit:
Delaney Dawson
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