Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

As we approach the New Year, my enthusiasm for the upcoming ventures is unmistakable. The previous year opened doors for early retirement from my initial successful business, relocating to Florida, and embarking on new entrepreneurial projects.

One standout initiative that launched this year is Shirts for Funds. The flexibility of managing my time independently has been extraordinary. However, as I look towards 2024, I feel a strong urge to enhance this platform, making it more thrilling, interactive, and innovative.

Let’s take a step back. About five years ago, during an unforgettable experience at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in Florida, something remarkable occurred. An automotive brand captivated attendees with live t-shirt printing in the infield—a concept that resonated deeply with me. The charm of creating something as personal as a t-shirt caught my attention, serving as an excellent marketing tactic for the company.

Within a month, we invested in a screen printing startup package from Ryonet and www.screenprinting.com. Our garage quickly transformed into a cluttered space filled with boxes. After attending a training seminar in Dallas, Texas, we returned, eager to tackle the equipment and produced our first t-shirt. The initial phase was fraught with ink-stained accidents and challenges of working with gas-powered generators in a gated community. Yet, it was a period rich with passion and dedication to our craft.

Making the leap from a hobby to a full-fledged business, we rented a commercial warehouse in Broken Arrow, OK. Countless late nights were spent fulfilling orders, relishing the satisfaction of delivering completed products to our customers. As we grew, we diversified into embroidery, direct-to-garment printing, and various screen printing methods, making the journey exhilarating.

However, just as we acquired our first automatic press, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing us to shift our focus to other ventures. This pivot dampened the creative joy we initially experienced in screen printing—the excitement of watching the press in action, the thrill of problem-solving, and the gratification of delivering a meticulously crafted product to clients.

While the business morphed into Printed Theory and thrived under new management, the essence of that initial Daytona Beach experience remained with me. Reflecting on my criteria for business ventures—excitement, engagement, and experiential appeal—I recognized the profound influence that live printing had on me and potentially on others.

Thus, for Shirts for Funds in 2024, the emphasis will shift towards hosting live events for fundraisers, weddings, and special occasions, aligning with those three essential elements. The goal is to craft engaging experiences that draw in attention, encourage interaction, and inspire social sharing.

In the upcoming week, I plan to delve deeper into the business strategy for this revamped venture, ensuring it embodies excitement, engagement, and a sense of experience.

Chapter 2: The Vision for 2024

Section 2.1: The Power of Live Events

Exploring the transformative potential of live events for businesses, the focus will be on how these experiences can create lasting connections with audiences.

Subsection 2.1.1: Engaging Fundraising Experiences