Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Searcy.
Hi Heather, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2011 I decided I needed a change. I began looking for a business I could start that had a product people would need/want again and again so that it was sustainable. My research led me to screen printing. The story I tell these days is that one day after my husband got home from work I asked if I could spend $5000 and if we could drive to Austin that weekend to pick up some used equipment I found on Craigslist and the rest is history, Old Dog New Tricks was born. I spent the first 3 years printing in my garage until I printed a large 700 shirt job (no outsourcing did not occur to me at the time) with my poor parents help. After that my husband and I came up with a plan to purchase my first automatic and rent my first shop, that was in 2014. While working there along with many family members as my first employees I became friends with another shop’s manager. After some time, we negotiated with the shop owners to purchase their shop and have them sub-contract back all their work to us. It was a great deal and a perfect way to skip ahead in knowledge and size quickly. So, in 2017 we became Lantern Ink, a more grown-up name for a more grown-up company. Fast forward to last December and we have made our latest move, literally, from Argyle and a 5000 sq. ft. warehouse to Denton and a 9000 sq. ft. warehouse. We are super excited for the expanded space and our ability to serve our customers better. We currently provide screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, and full fulfillment services. Our clients include amazing non-profits, social media influencers, schools, churches, and companies around the country and the military around the world. I am so thankful for where I came from and for the customers I serve.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing worthwhile is ever a smooth road. In the first years, the struggle was work/life balance with work being in the garage. Once we moved into our first shop making ends meet was definitely the struggle. Also, being able to keep up with the work when you are the only printer in a screen print shop is super hard. And I know this is every small business owner’s story but Covid has been a whole other level of struggle. Keeping the doors open meant draining our savings. And keeping up with employees being out all along the way with quarantining every time someone is sick is a scheduling nightmare. But with all that we have not only survived but thrived and that is not only because of our amazing customers but more so my amazing employees who have been on this ride with me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Lantern Ink?
LanternInk is a small screen-printing shop feel in a big warehouse setting. We provide our customers with screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, and fulfillment services to include running online shops and storage and shipment of products. Each customer’s job is treated like it is our own. We are known for our quick responses, on-time turn arounds and quality work. What makes me the most proud is the fact that we do not advertise and our continued growth is based on our repeat customer’s referrals as they brag about our work. Nothing could be better than being rewarded for a job well done than a customer giving you a referral.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I always thought I would be a lawyer. I actually even went to law school for a year… but got pregnant with my daughter and decided I would rather be a mom for that time in my life instead. I was very organized as a kid. And not artistic at all. Which is why what I do is so incredibly funny. I think it is one of life’s little ironies that I chose an artistic profession that is not very exact… when I like to be so organized. Go figure.
Contact Info:
- Email: order@lanternink.com
- Website: lanternink.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theteeshirtboss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LanternInk
Image Credits
Brooke Searcy
