Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Fox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michael , appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In my full time job as workers’ compensation attorney in a busy Baltimore law firm, I was forced to work remote (like the rest of the world) during COVID. During this time, my family and I discovered the tie-dye fad. As time passed, I would research and learn unconventional methods of tie-dye, including ice-dyeing and dyeing with bleach. My family, mainly my three young children (Rory, Lexi, and Riley), loved getting involved in the process, often times both helping to dye and name the designs. It provided for endless dinner time entertainment to reveal my designs and all decide on a “name” for the design together.

After a few short months, many neighbors and friends became interested in both seeing and wearing my designs. After being hounded by those close to me, I created an Instagram handle, @mydadstiedye, mainly as a place where I can forward my friends and family to my designs.

From here, my business gathered traction, including having my apparel shipping nationwide, as well as landing in some local boutiques throughout the east coast. I have now expanded my brand to not only include creative and contemporary streetwear apparel for adults, kids, and babies, but also accessories, including beach towels, bed sheets, totes, socks, blankets, and more!

I have also added airbrushing to my apparel and accessories which allows for unique one-of-a-kind designs including personalization and graffiti work.

Michael , 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?

I wear many “hats” in my daily life, including my main profession as an attorney, to a tie-dye artist, but even more so being a dedicated, but busy, husband and father to my three children (my favorite “hat” to wear). On any given day my hustle involves trips to court, “lawyering” behind my laptop with my “pup-a-legals” (two small Australian Labradoodles), or caravanning all over town between school and sports pick-ups and drop-offs for my kids. Sure I’m busy, but I wouldn’t change a thing, especially given I am able to incorporate my hobby of tie-dye throughout various parts of my day!

I am proud of how far I have come, especially working a full time job. Of course, I would not be able to do all of this without the complete support of my family. This business has allowed me to expand my creative and artistic side, and decompress throughout the busy day. Not only am I able to profit from a hobby I love, but I also have met many amazing people and ambassadors along the way.

Certainly, like many others, I faced adversity very early on with criticism from others in the industry, but I was able to use this as a very valuable learning lesson for my children. I was able to teach them to remain kind, take the high road, and to be nice, as “good things, happen to good people.”

It is this philosophy that drives my success, including appreciating my customers, and putting my heart and soul into every unique piece I put out to add color and brighten up this world.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Currently, I rely heavily and solely on the Instagram platorm, as well as referrals from my “#MDTDAmbassadors” to promote and market my business. I mainly utilize my Instagram story to build my brand beyond the apparel itself and into my life and lifestyle. I introduce my followers to my family, our ups and downs, my influences in art, and give them a behind the scenes look at the tie-dye and design process from start to finish.

I also have been so thankful and honored to have several retail establishments, as well as organizations, sell and market my apparel. Moreover, I have been grateful to have several influencers help with promotion of my brand. One highlight and major milestone for me was when I saw tie-dye lover Melissa Benishay of “Baked by Melissa Cupcakes,” share and repost clothing I made for her and her family. While reposting on Instagram seems like such a simple task, for small business owners like myself, an Instagram “follow,” “like,” and/or “repost” goes a long way!

I have found that by taking my brand beyond the clothes, and personalizing my business, has helped drive my success across the board, I am able to achieve and help drive my success across the board.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Since I established @mydadstiedye in 2021, contributing to several philanthropy and supporting causes has remained a top priority. Essentially, I wanted to be able to again show my children, who are a part of my business, how you can use your platform to extend kindness and goodwill to those not as fortunate.

As a small business owner, I have shared and/or donated proceeds to several charities and non-profits, including to a local organization “Sharebaby,” the Israeli Defenses Forces, Susan Koman Breast Cancer Fund, as well as various local charities. I also frequently donate apparel accessories, and gift cards to many different organizations.

While this certainly requires me to take a short-term loss and risk, I have found that not only do I profit long-term in expanding my network and sales, but I also profit more so in the many invaluable relationships I have made, and the causes I have supported along this journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/mydadstiedye/
• Instagram: @mydadstiedye on IG