A lot of people say that it was Generation X who were the entrepreneurs. Yet, it has been found that millennials are following in their footsteps. I guess I'm one of them.
I recently started a tie dye business. I hand make tie dye shirts (and more) and sell them for a few bucks to make extra money.
Tie dying is something that I do on the regular. I tie dye EVERYTHING. From shirts to shoes to even bed sheets, I find a way to do it all. It's gotten to the point where my mother's forbidden me to tie dye anymore shirts for myself! Something about it is just relaxing, and the turnout is almost always beautiful. Since I do it all the time, and I'm running out of space to have so many T-shirts, I decided to just sell some! I mean why not?
So far I have opened an Etsy shop. What I'm trying to do next is set up a Facebook page. Lastly, I am making fliers to advertise myself around town. At first I was scared. What if no one wants to buy anything? What if I get scammed and don't get paid? What if all of this is for nothing?
Then one day, my co-worker said to me, "I'm still waiting on my tie dye shirt."
Oh wow. She was serious.
Then a few days later, another co worker wanted a shirt, asking for a swirl design in Fourth of July colors like the one I had made for my younger cousin. Wow. Two clients!
On my days off I do my thing: soak, wring, tie, then dye (Wait...is that why it's call TIE dye?)! I let it sit for a good 24 hours outside on my front porch (although the kit says only 6-8 hours, and it has been effective in my past experiences, I still prefer for them to sit for a good while...and honestly, 24 hours doesn't even cut it for me!). Once they had been washed and dried, I took them to my work place and gave them to my clients/co-workers, and both were highly pleased! Before I knew it more of my co-workers asked for some of their own! Even my manager wants to get one for his little niece! I didn't think I would have so many people liking my work. I didn't think many people would pay for something as simple as a tie dye shirt. But I guess they do! Currently, I have four shirts sitting outside waiting to be rinsed and washed. And I have more requests! I've bee advertising myself to people outside my job as well. So far, no luck. But one thing's for sure, you've gotta be persistent. I'm not stressing about it though. The few clients that I have now have given me a good amount of confidence in this business. I can't help but be more optimistic for the city I'll be living and going to school in, which is bigger and pretty hippie dippie.
OK so, I'm not necessarily starting a company or becoming CEO or anything, but having a little business is still a big deal. The money helps me out a good bit, I get to use creativity to sell and make the money, and most of all, I put smiles on people's faces! I know it's only the beginning, but regardless, I still feel like it's worth sharing.
