Conversations with Christine Hall

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Hall.

Hi Christine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to opening my own business began in 2010, though I didn’t know it at the time. That year, I found out I was pregnant with my youngest son—and on the very same day, I learned I had 20 blood clots in both sides of my lungs. What followed were months of hospital stays and a long, but thankfully successful, pregnancy. Eventually, I was diagnosed with not one, but three blood-clotting disorders.

From that point on, every six months or so, I found myself back in the hospital battling more life-threatening clots—most often in my lungs. This continued for nearly eight years, leading to multiple job losses and countless moments of fear and uncertainty. I didn’t qualify for disability since, when the clots were temporarily dissolved, I was considered able to work again.

Raising two boys on my own while constantly wondering when the next episode might come took a serious toll—on my health, my stability, and my mental well-being. No matter how hard I worked or how good of an employee I was, I could never feel secure in any job.

Fast forward to 2019. I began getting that familiar feeling that something wasn’t right and scheduled an appointment with my hematologist. My blood pressure was dangerously high—so high they feared I might have a stroke. After an MRI, doctors discovered that scar tissue was blocking the arteries to my heart. My heart was functioning at only about 10%, working overtime to pump oxygen through my body.

I was referred to the University of Michigan’s cardiovascular department because my case was too severe for local hospitals in Lansing. That’s when I was told I would need open-heart and lung bypass surgery. Initially, they recommended I travel to San Diego for the procedure, but I simply couldn’t afford it. Instead, they arranged for the surgical team to come to the University of Michigan.

From March to August 2019, I waited—barely able to breathe—while they coordinated their schedules. During that time, I did everything I could with my boys, knowing what the doctors had told me: there was a real chance I might not wake up, or that if I did, I might not be the same person. I had to write a living will for my sons—by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

Thankfully, the surgery was a success. The expected recovery time was weeks, but I left the hospital after just five days—two of those spent in a coma.

However, I lost everything I had worked so hard for—a house I had just bought with my mother, my job, and my sense of stability. I moved in with my sister for six months to recover. Even during that time, I couldn’t just sit still. I started doing online sales and applying for jobs. Three months after surgery, I finally landed a temporary accounting position with a large energy company.

From August to December 2019, we lived with my sister. That December, I found a new place for my boys and me to move into—it was the best Christmas gift imaginable. Shortly after, the company hired me permanently. Finally, things were looking up for our little family.

Then came COVID.

Once again, I found myself starting over. It was defeating, and there were moments I wanted to give up—but I couldn’t. My boys were my reason to keep going. Giving up simply wasn’t an option.

During lockdown, like many people, I needed something to occupy my time. My mom had given me a cutting machine for Mother’s Day, and I started making t-shirts just for fun. Around the same time, I was **fired** from my job. They did offer severance pay, but the feeling of being disposable—especially after all I had overcome—hit me hard. I had always given 110% to every job I’d ever had, yet time and time again, my health and circumstances seemed to make me just another number in a company’s system.

That moment changed everything for me. I realized I wanted to work for myself—not only to build something meaningful, but because I never wanted another company to have the power to take my livelihood away again. I didn’t want my health to define my worth in someone else’s eyes. I wanted control over my future, and I wanted to prove that I could succeed on my own terms.

I had been selling a few shirts on social media here and there, and that’s when something clicked. I decided to take a leap of faith. I used my severance pay to cover six months of bills and gave myself that same amount of time to see if I could turn this hobby into a real business. If it didn’t work, I told myself I’d find another job.

I hustled from my dining room, advertising everywhere I could. Slowly but surely, things started to grow. On March 17th, 2021—my 38th birthday—I signed the lease for my very first shop in Lansing, Michigan. It was a tiny, 350-square-foot space, but it was *mine*. It was a legitimate business. For the first time, my future was in my own hands. I no longer had to live in fear of losing another job because of my health.

I stayed in that little shop for four years, and on March 17th, 2025, exactly four years later, I signed the lease for a 2,000-square-foot storefront. That’s where I am today—still hustling, still growing, still proving to myself that I am capable of building a good life, no matter what obstacles come my way.

Through it all, I’ve shown my boys that giving up is never an option. The best lesson to come from my journey is that the only real limits in life are the ones we set for ourselves. Your mindset truly means everything.

I’m not done yet—I plan to keep expanding, one step at a time. Slow and steady really does win the race.

And to think—it all started with “thick” blood and a little cutting machine.

**About the Author**

**Christine Hall** is the owner of **Swift Prints & Scandles**, located in Lansing, Michigan. What began as a creative outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic has grown into a thriving local business specializing in **Direct-to-Film (D.T.F.) printing** and custom apparel. Known for her precision, creativity, and dedication to her craft, she has built a brand that values quality, community, and authenticity. Her journey from hardship to entrepreneurship inspires others to believe that no obstacle is too great when you refuse to give up on yourself.

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?
Owning a business hasn’t been easy. In the beginning, I wore every hat—designer, marketer, accountant, customer service rep, and delivery driver. There were months when sales slowed to a crawl, and I questioned whether I had made the right choice. There were equipment breakdowns I couldn’t afford to fix, orders that didn’t go as planned, and plenty of sleepless nights wondering how I’d make rent for the shop.

On top of that, I was still learning how to balance my health with the demands of entrepreneurship. There were days when I was exhausted, physically and mentally, but I refused to let those moments define my business. I kept reminding myself that I had already overcome far worse.

The hardest part, though, was navigating growth on my own. Learning D.T.F. (Direct-to-Film) printing technology was a challenge in itself—figuring out the right materials, temperatures, and designs took hours of trial and error. But I was determined to master my craft. Every mistake became a lesson, and every small success felt like a huge victory.

I also faced the same fear many small business owners do: what if I fail? But the truth is, failure wasn’t an option for me. I had two boys watching me. I wanted to show them that even when life knocks you down, you can build something amazing from the ground up—if you just keep going.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At **Swift Prints & Scandles**, I specialize in **Direct-to-Film (D.T.F.) printing**, custom apparel, and personalized designs. I work closely with small businesses, local brands, schools, and individuals to help bring their ideas to life through high-quality, durable prints that stand out. D.T.F. printing allows me to create vibrant, long-lasting designs on almost any fabric — giving my customers flexibility, quality, and creative freedom they can’t always find elsewhere.

What I’m most proud of is how far this business has come from where it started — just me in my dining room during the COVID lockdown, learning through trial and error, and turning a simple hobby into something I truly love. Every shirt, hoodie, or custom order that leaves my shop represents a small piece of that journey.

What sets me apart is my personal connection to my work and my customers. I’ve built Swift Prints & Scandles on authenticity, attention to detail, and care — I don’t see people as orders or numbers; I see them as part of my community. Having faced serious health challenges in my life, I’ve learned how precious time and opportunity really are. That mindset drives everything I do — from how I treat my customers to the pride I take in every print that leaves my hands.

At the end of the day, I’m not just printing shirts — I’m building something that reminds people that no matter what life throws your way, you can always create something beautiful from it.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters to me most is **family, resilience, and purpose**. My two boys are my biggest motivation and the reason I never gave up — even when life gave me every reason to. They’ve seen me face unimaginable challenges and still keep pushing forward, and that’s what drives me every single day.

I also value **independence and integrity** — the freedom to build something of my own and to do it the right way. After losing jobs because of my health and feeling like just a number, I promised myself that I would create a life where my worth wasn’t determined by anyone else.

Lastly, what matters most to me is **inspiring others**. I want people to know that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always rebuild — and not just survive, but *thrive*. My story isn’t just about business; it’s about proving that with faith, hard work, and the right mindset, anything is possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SwiftDTFprints.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swiftprintsscandles