Today we’d like to introduce you to Sadie Frith.
Hi Sadie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Ever since I was a child, I had a dream of designing shirts and owning my brand. In my first year, I already had a name in mind: Dead Serious Designs. However, it wasn’t until 2017, after graduating high school in 2016, I began shaping my venture into apparel. While pursuing my associate in arts through PSEO at Anoka Ramsey, I encountered a pivotal moment. Nikki Schneider, an art professor, introduced me to the world of screen printing during a stress-relief week. Nikki and her husband Rick, a glass-blowing professor at Anoka Ramsey and owner of Isanti Spirits, became mentors guiding me towards establishing my business. This encounter marked a turning point. With their support, I officially launched Dead Serious Designs. I leaped, leaving my full-time job as a cake decorator and transitioning to part-time as a waitress. Things were going well. I slowly built up my clientele. I graduated college in 2018. I also lost my Dad to cancer 2 months after graduation. It was a challenging year for me and my family. I pushed myself into my work, and I am glad I did. As a business owner himself, he would be so proud.
In 2019, Deadseriousdesigns.com was unveiled, providing a platform to showcase and sell my designs. 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, prompting me to initiate the Small Business Support Tees project. As the pandemic unfolded, I collaborated with local businesses, printing shirts to support them during the shutdown. However, 2020 also brought an unexpected twist across the globe – a cease from a similarly named Australian brand. Three years into my business, I had to rebrand. Thus, Bottle Cap Retro was born, embracing an 80s/90s retro theme in screen printing and embroidery. The journey involved a change in name and a complete visual overhaul. Despite the trademark hiccup, we forged ahead, delivering a neon-infused, trademarked identity. Live Demo appearances and a vibrant online presence will define us, with a hopeful eye on a future storefront. As of 2022, Bottle Cap Retro caters to larger orders with an upgraded auto-screen printer while embracing smaller ones. The addition of embroidery services in early 2023 expanded our offerings.
Today, my focus remains on bringing designs online and fulfilling orders. What began as a childhood dream has evolved into a thriving custom printing business. I envision expanding the team and further growing Bottle Cap Retro, all while staying true to my passion for creative expression.
Please talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned. Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Rebranding was a considerable struggle. I had a lot of merch with Dead Serious Designs on it. I had to get all new business cards, shirts, hats, everything with the name on it had to be changed. The big struggle was trying to change all my social media accounts. A lot of them would stay the same.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
BCR specializes in silk-screen printing on apparel and now offers embroidery, too! Silk-screen printing involves transferring a design onto clothing using a silk mesh screen. A stencil of the desired design is created on the screen, and ink is pushed through the open areas onto the fabric below with a squeegee. This process results in vibrant and durable prints, making it the preferred method for creating customized and visually striking designs on T-shirts, hoodies, and various clothing items. We take pride in our commitment to Quality Assurance. At BCR, we like to know our customers are happy with their orders. We want to ensure that each order meets or exceeds customer expectations. In addition to our printing services, we specialize in Brand Development, offering assistance with logo design and more. Bottle Cap Retro is your go-to solution whether you need custom apparel or promotional items. Contact us for all your apparel and promotional needs, and let us bring your vision to life!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
GirlBoss was a funny book by Sophia Amoruso that I read. She also has a short Netflix series. That one is relatable, lol. Otherwise, I like to listen to business podcasts about people making it work. I like to watch Lee Stuart on YouTube. He is like the screen printing king right now online.
Pricing:
- Screen Printing is a minimum of 10 garments.
- Embroidery is a minimum of 12 Garments
- Anything less than 10 for screen printing, we use heat transfer vinyl for
Contact Info:
- Website: bottlecapretro.com
- Instagram: BottleCapRetro
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BottleCapRetro
Image Credits
Images have been taken by BCR.
