Re-Do!

Starting Over: Back at the Bottom

In 2020, I started DTE Print Shop with a dream of getting into the apparel printing industry and watching the business take off like a rocket ship. I don't know what made me think I could compete in such a capital-intensive industry. (probably all the salespeople trying to sell me equipment).

Well, 2020 was sh*t. The world came to a standstill. Orders dried up, suppliers had no inventory, and the path ahead was much less clear.

Fast forward five years, and here we are. It’s 2025 and I'm back at square one. But this time, things look different. Less noise. Fewer distractions. Just me and the road ahead. I've got a little more knowledge, and a better sense of what works—and what doesn’t.

I'm focusing on three fundamentals now:

1. Relationships Over Transactions: For us, it's about more than printing ink on apparel. We want to be your partners in branding. This involves building trust, solving problems, and helping you and your brand to put your best foot forward.

2. Purpose Over Profit: The bottom line matters, but so does the reason we started. Focusing on purpose gives our work meaning and drives better decisions, even when the numbers are tight.

3. Constantly Innovate: Change is the only thing consistent. Industries shift. Trends fade. What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. If we want to survive, we need to learn new techniques, find more sustainable apparel, and handle evolving customer needs.

So, I'm back at square one in the apparel printing world. With each blank t-shirt, each new design, and each customer interaction, we're going to build something better.