We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Brian Wysong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Brian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
My path to my current professional role was unconventional. I started teaching marketing, entrepreneurship and business classes at Liberty High School in Frisco, Texas. I served as a teacher for 10 years. Prior to teaching and coaching, I worked as the Director of Marketing and College Ministries at a large church. I then worked at a Branding and Marketing agency serving businesses, non-profits, churches, speakers and influencers from all across the world.
While teaching marketing, I became good friends with the the art teacher, Jeb Matulich. One day during a lunch while on break during a teacher in-service workday, we began talking about sports, college, craft beer, live music and traveling. We found a similar interest in our passion for Texas and the amazing things that make up the culture of Texas. That led us to discuss Jeb’s artwork and how talented he was as an artist and illustrator. This conversation led to the idea of designing a t-shirt based off Jeb’s art. We never dreamed that our business would grow the way that it did. We just thought we were starting a side-hustle for fun. We did not have prior experience in the apparel industry. Only in art, marketing and social media. So we took a $700 investment ($350 each) and purchased our first 120 t-shirts. This small investment began the incredible journey of launching a now thriving Texas-inspired lifestyle and apparel brand. Our goal was to create quality yet creative designs that connected people to their favorite adventures and lifestyle in Texas. To show off Texas pride while being cool, ecclectic, fun and family-friendly. The goal problem we noticed was that most Texas t-shirts were overly political, aggressive or low quality artwork. We wanted to transform the Texas t-shirt game in a fun way. Our brand grew to serving thousands of retailers with hundreds of thousands of customers all around the world. On an annual basis, we have shipped products to all 50 states and 15+ countries. We have grown our following on social media and email marketing to collectively over 80,000 people. We have now served custom clients like Whataburger, Dr Pepper, 7-Eleven and more.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Brian Wysong, and I am a proud entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and business leader who is passionate about inspiring people and organizations to reach their fullest potential. As the co-founder and CEO of Tumbleweed TexStyles, I’ve built a Texas-inspired lifestyle and apparel brand that celebrates the spirit, culture, and creativity of Texas through unique, hand-crafted products.
My journey into this industry began with a desire to create something meaningful that represented my love for Texas while also giving back to the community. With roots as a high school teacher, I initially balanced my teaching career with a side hustle designing Texas-themed t-shirts. Over time, what started as a passion project transformed into one of the most recognized Texas lifestyle brands, serving hundreds of retailers and custom clients across the state. This transition taught me the importance of perseverance, creativity, and community building—values that continue to guide my work today.
At Tumbleweed TexStyles, we offer high-quality apparel, accessories, and curated gifts that embody Texas pride. Beyond selling products, our goal is to tell stories through our designs, spark connections, and bring people together. We work closely with local artists and partners to ensure authenticity in everything we create. Additionally, our brand takes pride in supporting education and community initiatives—a reflection of my personal commitment to making a positive impact.
What sets us apart is not just the uniqueness of our designs but the heart and purpose behind our brand. We believe in crafting experiences, not just products, and creating a space where people feel a deep connection to Texas and its vibrant culture. This is evident in our collaborations with local businesses, nonprofits, and schools—partnerships that amplify our mission to give back and grow together.
One of my proudest accomplishments has been seeing the impact of our work, from helping schools raise funds to providing support for community organizations. Personally, being recognized as one of the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and one of the “Top 100 Texas Influential Business Professionals” has been an honor, but it’s the day-to-day stories from our customers that remind me why we do what we do.
For those considering working with me as a speaker, advisor, or collaborator, I bring years of hands-on experience in leadership, marketing, branding, and creative management. My goal is to empower others to think big, take risks, and build something meaningful—whether it’s a business, a brand, or a personal journey. I’m here to connect, inspire, and share the lessons I’ve learned through successes and challenges alike.
If there’s one thing I’d love for readers to take away, it’s this: my story is proof that with passion, resilience, and a genuine desire to serve others, you can create something extraordinary. Whether you’re looking for a unique piece of Texas culture or seeking guidance to grow your own vision, I’d be honored to connect and collaborate.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson I had to unlearn was that success is solely about working harder and longer hours. Early in my career, I believed that putting in more time equaled better results. As a teacher and later as an entrepreneur, I poured countless hours into my work, thinking it would naturally lead to growth and fulfillment.
The turning point came when I noticed the toll it was taking on my personal life and mental health. Despite the long hours, I felt stuck in certain aspects of my career. I realized I wasn’t focusing on working smarter, building systems, or trusting my team to share the load. This shift began when I co-founded Tumbleweed TexStyles. Scaling the business taught me that delegating, setting boundaries, and focusing on high-impact activities are far more effective than sheer volume of work.
Today, I’m proud to run a successful business while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s a lesson I carry into my leadership philosophy: success isn’t about doing it all; it’s about doing what matters most and empowering others to do the same.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
What helped me build my reputation within my market is staying authentic and consistently delivering value that resonates with our audience. From the very beginning, we focused on creating products that genuinely reflected the culture and spirit of Texas. Every design, partnership, and community initiative we’ve undertaken has been guided by a commitment to quality and authenticity.
A big part of this reputation-building has also been our dedication to giving back. Supporting education and community initiatives through Tumbleweed TexStyles has not only made a positive impact but has also built trust and goodwill with our customers. People see that our brand is about more than just selling products—it’s about fostering connections and contributing to something bigger.
Lastly, staying engaged with our community has been key. Whether through social media, local events, collaborations or me serving on boards such as Frisco Chamber of Commerce, I’ve made it a priority to listen to our customers and adapt to their needs while staying true to our vision. This consistency and connection have helped establish Tumbleweed TexStyles as a trusted and beloved brand in the market.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TumbleweedTexStyles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoptwt/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwysong/
- Other: www.BrianWysong.com, https://www.instagram.com/brianwysong
Image Credits
Tumbleweed TexStyles