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

Alright, Hannah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Snakes + Acey’s is a small female owned and operated screen printing shop in historic Little Italy of Cleveland, Ohio. We specialize in artwork, apparel, and merchandise that is drawn, designed, and printed by hand – in house. We wanted to make sure that anything we created hit a few core values: gender neutral, size inclusive, unique design, and a nod to issues that face our generation. Any piece of clothing we create, we make sure we offer sizes S-3X with an option for custom sizing available at no extra cost. There are no “mens and womens” styles or designs and we make sure that no matter what people look like, identify as, or feel comfortable in – we have something for everyone. Additionally, majority of our designs touch on a range of issues from mental health, social justice, reproductive rights, and LGBTQ+ community.

I was told time and time again when I first started that I needed to create my business without political views, a limited size range, and to create designs that would be “generally popular with everyone”. By not listening to any of those suggestions – I celebrated having my brick and mortar open for 6 years this past April.

Hannah, 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?

As an art student in undergrad – no one gave me a very good answer on what I could do after I graduated other than go to graduate school and then in turn teach art. I applied to a graduate program I was dubbed a shoe-in for and quickly got my letter of decline. Now – I had to create my own career. I was asked in undergrad what I really wanted to do and I replied: “I would love to own a print shop with a retail space attached – as long as I don’t have to dress up or wear real pants, ill be happy.”

Snakes + Acey’s came from that answer. My shop is half studio, half retail space. I create my own line of apparel, artwork, and merchandise as well as custom and commission work for other artists, businesses, and individuals. Additionally, I teach inner city and after school art programming all over the city of Cleveland.

I have begun to dip my toe in hand lettering for weddings and other events. I hope that my style of work and the things I create show the younger generation of artists that sometimes you have to create the career you want, not just settle for a job that gives you a salary.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson: just because you create something you think is the greatest thing of all time – doesn’t mean anyone else will think the same. Start with small batches and create limited unique items.

As an artist who designs and prints apparel – new lines of apparel are always exciting, especially when you think you have a big hit on your hands. A few years back I created a few designs that I thought would fly off the shelves. I ordered tons of blanks and printed until my hands were numb. After posting the new line to the website, social media, and bringing them to my vending gigs and stores I sell thru – I quickly realized they weren’t selling. People didn’t like them as much as I assumed. Years later I am still stuck with a majority of the stock and lost a lot of money. I now know that for each new release, to only print a limited run until I can gauge the popularity of a design.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

While there are countless large scale commercial printing companies – I have been able to step in on the smaller print runs and create a more intimate experience with my clients and customers. Each commission job I receive is treated with the utmost respect and importance. As a screen printer who prints everything by hand – I am seeing each piece and making sure it is printed correctly and as the client wants. My reputation in Cleveland has grown from word of mouth and from the fact that some of the online and big commercial shops just don’t pay attention to detail. This means people come to me after going to the big boys and are disappointed with their work and want me to “fix it”. Good work goes a long way. being good to clients and customers goes even further.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.snakesandaceys.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snakesandaceys
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/snakesandaceys/