Letter from the Owner

I began my career in screen printing in 2003. I was a sophomore in the college of business at Cal Poly Slo. I came to Cal Poly to utilize a 'Learn by Doing' philosophy, and decided I would start my own screen printing business while I was in school. I moved home for a few months one summer and worked at a local screen printing shop. After one summer of work, I had acquired a knack for printing and I bought some used equipment. When I moved back to Slo I rented out an office space. I had about two gallons of ink, 12 screens, and some equipment that was downright laughable, but I was in business.

By the time I graduated in the spring of 2006 I had over 3 years of screen printing experience, a 2,000 square foot production facility, over 200 customers and 3 business partners (a.k.a roommates). After graduation, my partners began to take jobs in different industries, and I continued to buy their shares.

In June of 2008, I bought out my last remaining partner. Unfortunately, we had focused on providing our customers with screen printing, embroidery, promotional products, signs, vinyl, and large format printing. Knowing that I was in over my head, I had to reposition the company. Rather than pulling myself in all directions, I needed to find a particular focus and stick to it. Naturally, I chose the application I was best at: screen printing.

When it came time to choose a new name, my customers pretty much chose it for me. Every time my customers would talk about me, I was called "The T-Shirt Guy". I never got recommended by my company name. People just said "Oh, I know a good T-Shirt Guy." I don't know why in my industry we are referred to as a guy. Chefs are never called "Food guys" and doctors are never called "health guys", but me, I can't escape being the T-Shirt Guy. So why not make it official?

As for the logo, that's not me. Some people are disappointed to find that I am not a 1920's newspaper boy wearing overalls...Sorry.

In any case, thank you for taking interest in my company. When it comes time for you to get some T-Shirts made, I hope I'm your guy.

 

-Lance Brandenberg