Exploring Life & Business with Erika Anderson of Ways Apparel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Anderson. 

Hi Erika, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
The idea for Ways Apparel came during the height of the coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests for the murder of George Floyd. For the past 10 years, I have answered 911 calls for a living and it can be frustrating receiving calls from people calling the police on people who are different from them. Not for them actually doing anything illegal just something that that caller doesn’t approve of. From this frustration, the idea for WAYS Apparel was born. WAYS is an acronym for Worry About Yo Self. It was essentially my way of coping with the constant news coverage and issues with police brutality. I felt limited in my ability to express my feelings being both a black woman and a police dispatcher. Designing t-shirts to say what I may not be able to say to citizens on the phone allowed me to vent in a safe way while also expressing pride for my race and heritage. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road I have been traveling has not been entirely smooth. Before the start of the business, I was not on social media. I have created social media pages for the business and it has been a challenge to understand the algorithms for views and advertising. 

We’ve been impressed with Ways Apparel LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Ways Apparel LLC is a t-shirt company. WAYS is an acronym for Worry About Yo Self. Our sassy t-shirts were created to be a statement piece. What separates us from other apparel companies that we are able to customize our designs to whatever the customers desires. Customers can just send a request through email; the website or social media and we can customize an order. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something that people may not know about WAYS apparel is that we are more than our acronym… There is a passion and enjoyment that comes with creating unique pieces. We are more than just what is on the website. We have custom-made many items by request. 

Pricing:

• Unisex T-shirts range from $15 – $18
• Hoody designs range from $30-$60
• Beanies designs range from $12-$15
• Soft enamel pin $12
• 2 layer face mask $6

Contact Info:

• Email: contactus@waysapparel.com
• Website: www.waysapparel.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/@waysapparel
• Facebook: Facebook.com/@waysappareldetroit
• Twitter: twitter.com/@waysdetroit