Today we’d like to introduce you to Abby Mason.
Hi Abby, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I wouldn’t say there was a hard “start” date to starting Pretty Bitchin’ Tee Shirt Co. I would say I’ve had a pretty entrepreneurial spirit my whole life. Both of my parents have started and owned successful businesses, and it’s something I guess I picked up too. One summer, I was probably ten at the time, my parents had let me set up a booth at the local farmer’s market to sell hair clips and bows I had made. That was my first taste of having some sort of my own business.
I knew I wanted to start an apparel brand for quite a while before pulling the trigger. I had purchased a business license months before I even knew exactly what I would make of it. Pretty Bitchin’ was born soon after. I did somewhat of a “soft launch” on Instagram with the brand before I announced it to people I knew, just to put some feelers out. The response was much better than I was expecting, so I thought, “Hey strangers like what I’m putting out there, so maybe people I know will too”. Then I made an official launch and announced it to people I actually knew. The response was pretty unreal. I had purchased a bunch of inventory thinking I’d be left with 50+ of the same shirt hanging in my closet for years to come. My first batch of inventory sold out within 48 hours.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business with virtually no business training is a pretty confusing task. There is so much information out there, and SO many resources that it can be hard to know who and what to trust. Getting things up and running definitely took a few months. I don’t think any new business starting is a smooth road, but nobody really talks about how many times you fail even once you are up and running.
It takes so many tries to get things 100% right. Not only on the business side of things but also on the creative. I taught myself how to screen print while getting things up and running. I can’t tell you how much time and money went into just trial tee shirts. Lots of tears were shed, and lots of shirts were wasted during the learning process. But, hey, we made it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pretty Bitchin’ Tee Shirt Co. was created with a pretty specific niche in mind. We specialize in high-quality, super comfortable tee shirts, with a western/vintage flair. I wanted a unique brand, that wasn’t afraid to push the Utah envelope a little bit. Our designs are all original. You won’t find them anywhere else. And that is something I am super proud of. It takes so much time, expense, and thought to come up with original concepts and make them into a well-made product. Even just the company name is something I think sets the brand apart from the rest. Especially in Utah, it’s guaranteed to get a few double takes.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
As I mentioned previously, there is an unlimited about of information out there. Google can be a good place to start. But reaching out to people in your community or other brands you look up to can give you really valuable information. Figuring out your ideal customer and brand identity can definitely point you in the right direction of where to start.
When I was first getting things up and running, I reached out to a ton of people I thought looked like my ideal customer. Some with a large following, some with a small following. Some people didn’t even reply, and that’s okay. But those who did reply, I’ve made a really awesome connection with and now I’ve got a few of my favorite musicians wearing my brand on a shirt.
Contact Info:
- Website: pbteeco.com
- Instagram: @pbteeco
Image Credits
Wild Sage Photo
