Check Out Eric Tett’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tett.

Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I first started my venture in 2021. I was sitting in a bad place in life, talking with an old friend about making our own T-shirts. We first started with quotes, we would make up. Making a list of what we thought was funny. 2 years later, said partner and I had a falling out and me and my now fiance ( Samantha Joldersma ) run and operate our own business. Samantha came up with the name and it took off from there. I have fun every time I make a shirt. It’s so exhilarating, thinking of a new design, putting it together, just to see the wonderful outcome. I dont think of the money when making a shirt, i think of how happy every customer looks when they see an image they like, or havent seen in ages. I take my 12 and 13 year old boys with me when im conducting business because i want them to learn, so i can pass what ive built down. At times it can be frustrating. Like for instance when I first started out, Sam ordered the wrong paper and Cricut cutter. I went through so much paper I ended up calling one of my brothers ( high school friend Kory Mulcahy ). He helped me with so many problems. I worked as a delivery driver, at the time, and would talk to Kory for hours about shirts, as i did my deliveries. Craziest thing is, I get nervous before every event, like a 7th grader doing an oral exam. But I love the feeling of after, when I’m packing up knowing how well I did mentally. Dedication and self encouragement have played a major part in me creating this, but in the end I only have the love of my life to thank. Samantha has been the backbone and soul I needed to push through so many different emotions when dealing with life. I’ve had to go through 4 different surgical operations due to cubital tunnel in both elbows and carpal tunnel in both hands. I’ve been dreaming about this moment for the last 6 years. And now I’m apart of 1 of the biggest Fairs in Michigan!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road by no means. February 2023 I lost my car due to hitting a deer, and that is when everything went down hill. The pain in my left shoulder began getting worst, I was fired from my job due to too many absences, which led to my depression. Now, with 5 children and bills piling and no means of transportation, i had to figure a way out of my financial stress. That is where Samantha came up with the idea of using some of our taxes to start our company.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I grew up with my step-mother and her mother being interior decorators. Sewing this, or stitching that. So many different variations of designs and colors had me intrigued to the point, that in 7th grade I would stay in from “recess ” and go to home ec to sew. I mafe my little brother a Pokémon blanket, a pair of shorts with patches I had bought. It was great! And now 27 years later I’ve built a business in creating!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My step-mother was the first person to plant the creative seed. The struggles of different jobs played a part to where I didn’t want to work for others but start my own. Kory Mulcahy has been a huge help. But Samantha Joldersma deserves every bit of credit, for she has been the financial, supportive, most creative, loving person. Without her the gears wouldn’t turn!

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqzPZppzQ/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@apeshyt616?_t=ZP-8vVrYEyUvfy&_r=1