In 2016, Markus, a philosophy and psychology grad, worked in marketing and noticed the growing graphic tees trend. He had a lightbulb moment: why not mix philosophy with fashion?
And bam! The Philosopher’s Shirt was born.
The Philosopher’s Shirt combines deep thoughts, fun, and fashion. They’ve also inspired a philosophy professor to use their ideas to make her classes more engaging. How cool is that?
What The Philosopher’s Shirt is doing great
Even though Markus and Alex stepped into a space with plenty of similar businesses, The Philosopher’s Shirt succeeded despite the super competitive environment. So what’s their secret recipe?
First, they don’t skimp on quality. While other philosophy-themed stores compromised on cheaper goods, Markus and Alex prioritized quality.
Second, they used paid ads to generate buzz and create a presence for their brand. They focused on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Third, The Philosopher’s Shirt has customer service down to an art. They chat with customers like friends, making shoppers feel seen and appreciated. It’s no wonder they have a dazzling five-star rating on Trustpilot. Lastly, they knew exactly who they wanted to reach. They didn’t try to please everyone; they aimed at philosophy students and professors—those most interested in their brand’s theme.
What you can learn from The Philosopher’s shirt
For anyone dreaming of starting their own t-shirt business, this store has a bunch of neat lessons to learn from.
- Prioritize quality: If you want to build a long-lasting brand and sell t-shirts online, cheap prices aren’t the way to go. This move might attract short-term shoppers, but they won’t stick around if the quality’s not there.
- Know your audience: If you can figure out exactly who your people are and what they want, you’re already halfway to success.
- Don’t undervalue customer service: Chat with your customers, make them feel special, and they’ll keep returning for more. Ignore questions and inquiries, and they’ll likely not visit again. Don’t miss out on connections!
- Stay in it for the long haul: Markus says, “You might feel like you’re rolling a stone uphill, but don’t quit. Success is always within reach, so keep pushing.” Slow and steady is the way to go, so don’t lose sight of your long-term goals.
Even when things get tough, keep learning, keep pushing, and never give up on starting your own t-shirt business.