Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Oaks and Neil Schattilly.
Hi Greg and Neil, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story started at a tattoo shop during a snow day pre-COVID. One of those days when they tell you to stay off the roads. That’s when we came up with the idea to start our own clothing line. Came up with the perfect name and researched trademarks. Meanwhile, we found some used equipment and started creating shirts. A lot of trial and error before our first flaw-free print came to be. Some time had passed by now, and we officially owned INK THERAPY trademark. After COVID is when the fun began. Our first convention was in our hometown of Flint, MI. We were successful not only with being marketable, but we met some amazing artist and business owners. I would like to mention a celebrity too, Dr. Carl Blasphemy! Since then, we have travelled all over the mid-west, beating the pavement and chasing our dream. In 1 short year, we were able to make a small impact in lives that are less fortunate, by means of raising money for charity and donating merch for benefits, we have been reinvesting in the business and upgrading equipment. 2023 we are being more selective with the conventions that we do. Ink Therapy Clothing’s creativity hasn’t stopped, we are regearing for our artist shirts for a 2023 spring release.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Covid quarantine restrictions had us locked down at home, which was impossible for getting our product out to market, but also, in a sense, good because it gave us time to work on our printing skills. Gas prices were high, and as u know hauling a trailer full of clothes through the mountains wasn’t exactly fuel efficient. We learned that the time of year that the shows were happening like around holidays the show attendances were low resulting in less products sold. Everyone felt the supply chain issues, no explanation needed there. I mean a lot of money is put out there before a dollar is made like clothing purchase, printing, booth rental, travel expenses, hotel stay, food, etc. We both have full-time careers and families that sacrifice with our absence.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Greg is in sales for a major beverage company, he is most proud of his son and Adidas shell-toe shoe collection. Is known for always matching his hat, shoes, and shirt! He dresses up like the Madhatter at shows. What sets him apart from others is his artistic designs of hats and paintings.
Neil is in government, He is most proud of his friends and family, He is known for his beard and his ability to fix things and to lose his phone. what sets him apart from others are his sweet and sour nipples (it’s tattooed)
What do you think about luck?
No luck here! We have worked hard to get where we are. We currently have a pretty solid network of artists and friends that love us personally and professionally. These contacts have offered us opportunities to be at invitation-only shows. The tattoo community is amazing, hell we have even crashed overnight at an artists house/haunted church on our road trip. It really is great when the venues are full and hear the buzz of the tattoo machines.
Pricing:
- Hoodie $55
- zZp up $65
- Artist shirts $35
- Custom Hats $35
Contact Info:
- Website: www.inktherapyclothing.com
- Instagram: inktherapyapparel
- Facebook: inktherapyclothing
