We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tasha Baggett. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tasha below.

Hi Tasha, thanks for joining us today. Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

The idea of scaling up was always scary to me even though I’m always thinking, “ok, what’s next?” Getting over that hurdle, fear, was the first step for me. Last year I was very interested in wholesale as a means to getting my products in stores but I was afraid. I wasn’t afraid of anything specific but I knew something was holding me back. Once I worked through that fear the orders started coming in. I have products in over 50 stores across the country but it really took me doing some self reflection and to cross that hurdle.

I think it’s also important to determine what scaling up means to you versus what it means for someone else. Everyone is on a different journey, even if you’re in the same field. But just because you see your peer opening a shop five years after starting out does not mean it’s your turn to do the same. I have to remind myself of this often becasue it’s very easy to make hasty, foolish decisions because you’re trying to keep up with someone else’s journey.

Moving forward can be scary but it’s the natural progression of business. What’s great as an entrepreneur you get to choose how far you want to go!

Tasha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

When I started dabbling in designing t-shirts as kind of a hobby I never dreamed I’d still be doing it five years later. I definately never imagined I’d call it my livelihood.

I’ve always been a creative person but I never considered myself an artist by any means. Graphic tees were something I enjoyed but I started to feel like I couldn’t find things I liked. The shirts didn’t say what I wanted them to say for me or my kids. So I started researching. I was basically trying to figure out how you get the idea from your brain to a t-shirt or piece of fabric. Once I learned about vinyl and vinyl cutting machines, things took off from there!

It hasn’t always been easy but I love doing it and I have been working hard to make it better. It actually wasn’t until recently that I was able to fully realize the purpose of Team Jemini Designs. I can clearly say that it is to boldly support self expression and individuality through humor, bold graphics and unique messages.

Team Jemini is designed to appeal to all of us who have a voice but aren’t always the loudest in the room.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I feel like owning a business in general is an illustration of resilience! There are SO MANY ups and downs, changes and rearranges that go on behind the scenes, especially now, that you HAVE to be resilient or you’ll just crumble!

I don’t fully share all of the behind the scenes struggles on a regular basis but rest assured, they are there! From losing laptops, to no sales, to needing funding, it’s always happening but I never feel like I want to call it quits. These speed bumps actually make me want to work harder and win!

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

Marketing is such a huge part of creating a successful online business and I realized very quickly that I had no idea what I was doing. Navigating that aspect of social media was not something I was able to do so I reached out to an expert. But I was VERY fearful. Investing such a large sum of money without having any guarantees was a risk and there are plently of “experts” out there but I knew this was something I had to delegate. Thankfully the risk paid off and I started seeing regular sales right away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teamjeminidesigns.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/shopteamjemini