Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Silver.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
The idea for Inspired Ts Co began after my purchase of a Cricut machine for Christmas one year. I made a couple of t-shirts and found that I really enjoyed searching for designs and creating wearable items. It then blossomed into an idea to make and sell graphic design t-shirts focusing on themes for family wear and geared to the community that did not want to wear offensive tees. I felt the market for embarrassing t-shirts was quite saturated and I wanted to make shirts Christian themed and family centered. I have learned so many new skills in this venture and have learned so many new things about myself as well. Where I am today is not where I hope to be a year from now- I hope that as time goes on, I keep learning new skills and Inspired Ts Co is in a better place as well.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Success came with my first sale. The challenge has been to keep that going and to keep customers engaged and excited about Inspired Ts Co. It means finding new ways of marketing, advertising, keeping the website fresh and exciting, finding new platforms for products to appear and reach new audiences. This is a daily challenge. Many times the question of “why even bother?” will enter my brain and there are days when it is hard to answer. One of most important things I have learned about is continuing to move forward each and every day. There are days when there are plenty of customer likes and views, and there are days of hardly any sales happen and discouragement will begin to settle in, but it is necessary to shake that feeling off and keep marketing, keep trying to reach new people, reach out to previous customers, find new things to sell, find new avenues to market, and keep expectation and motivation high.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Inspired Ts Co specializes in the family. I believe very strongly in not selling anything embarrassing or offensive and supporting the institutions that support us like the military, the police, and veterans. These institutions make up the fabric of our nation and through designing graphic t-shirts and supporting these groups, Inspired Ts Co shows we support the community at large. Inspired Ts Co donates 15% of all Veteran, Police, and Military sales to Wounded Warrior Project. I specialize in creating Christian t-shirts and products to sell as a way to offer people something different- something not embarrassing and offensive. Because Inspired Ts Co is a Christian and woman owned business, I treat others the way I would want to be treated by an online company: with honesty, with courtesy, importance, trust, encouragement, and inspiration.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Success is not found in how much money you make, but in doing something you really love and sharing that with others. When you can stand back at the end of the day and be proud of what you have accomplished, that is when you know you have achieved success. It isn’t always about the money- though that is certainly a benefit, but the sense of accomplishment, the love of the craft or “doing”, the passion and excitement that wakes you up every day is truly success.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
To me, success is simply doing something I really love and sharing with others. Many people measure success by how much money they make or have made and by todays standards, and that certainly is a benefit. However, without the passion, the creativity, the time spent worrying over an idea- the benefit would never materialize. Success seems to be unreachable at times, a standard which we will never reach. But by quitting, one will never succeed. You succeed by getting up in the morning and keep moving forward- whether you own a business or trying to survive life. Keep moving forward. Keep doing what you love, what you are passionate about. Never surrender.
What’s next for you?
Inspired Ts Co will be voice searchable on devices such as all Amazon Alexa, Siri, and other voice searchable devices. I am looking at advertising on Hulu, which would be a major accomplishment, and moving towards a New Year of record sales through new advertising ventures and more community outreach and support.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
Website: https://inspiredtsco.myshopify.com/
Email: inspiredtsco@gmail.com