My entrepreneurship story begins back in 10
thgrade. My buddy Preston and I had been taking some pictures on our cameras outside, and we thought that we had some pretty good ones. Many of them where from camping trips we had taken or days on the many springs and lakes around central Florida. We started to think about ways that we could show off this amazing land that we enjoyed so much, and also make some money. What we came up with was the Free Therapy Company. We would put our pictures onto photo shop, and use the filters and settings there to make them look more like paintings. Then we took the new pictures and put them on the back of t-shirts through a t-shirt design company. Free Therapy Co was printed on the front of the shirts. We even took time to develop some hats with our own emblem on them. We mostly just sold to our friends at school, some parents bought them, and we even reached some people we didn’t know. We both made some money, but by 12
thgrade the little business had pretty much run its course. It was fun though, and it gave us an excuse to get outside.
The more I think about what I want to do in the future, the more I realize that I want to work for myself. It feels really rewarding to work towards a goal uniquely yours. Realistically, I’m still just entering the world of entrepreneurship. I know I still have a lot to learn, and that’s why I chose to take this class. I want to learn more about how entrepreneurs think, and how to start successful businesses.
It is pretty impressive to see that you started a little company of your own, I remember witnessing many of my friends attempting to start their own clothing company lines, but it was never successful because they were not that unique. I really like the idea that you used photos that you took to put of these shirts. It is also nice that you were able to do this with one of your friends, most of the time I would hear stalks around my school about starting a business, but no one ever really went through with the plans.
ReplyDeleteMan that's cool. My uncle actually owns a t-shirt company called shore thing which started out very similar to what you described. Have to say though, I kind of like your idea better. Going out to find your own favorite spot and making a shirt out of it sounds like a lot of fun and something everyone could relate to. I know there's a lot of places in my hometown that you could put on a shirt. Seems strange to me that I've never seen any with something like that.
ReplyDeleteHi Eric!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cool story that you actually had a business and made money for a while. I like the idea of editing your original photo and then adding it to a shirt. Very creative to take your pictures and make something else of them.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteAlthough the scale of your business may not have been large, it is definitely impressive that you and your friends were able to make money off an idea you guys had in high school. I'm sure that even though the "Free Therapy Company" ran its course, it's left you with some cool and unique clothes and some nice memories to recall.