We were lucky to catch up with Sanskrriti Gaikwad recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sanskrriti , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

One fine evening, over a casual pizza with Yash, I casually mentioned, “I want to enter this field. I want to have my own brand.” It wasn’t some grand, meticulously planned moment—it was just an idea, a spark. And somehow, that one statement turned into Drop Tee.

Fast forward to a few months later, and we were deep in the hustle—designing, sourcing, figuring out the logistics, and learning on the go. Every small milestone felt like a victory, but nothing could have prepared us for what happened next.At the time, we had no clue what we were getting ourselves into. We weren’t industry veterans or business moguls; we were just two people with a vision and an itch to try something different. We spent weeks brainstorming, experimenting with designs, figuring out fabrics, and navigating the complexities of manufacturing. There were days when things felt like they were moving too slow, and nights where we questioned if we were doing it all wrong. But the thrill of building something from the ground up kept us going.

Then came the moment that changed everything.

One day, out of nowhere, we got a message from someone—we’ll call him X—saying he had placed a huge bulk order. The amount was significant, enough to make us double-check if this was even real. At first, we were skeptical. Who was this guy? Why was he ordering so much? Was this some kind of scam? But after a few calls and some verification, we realized it was legit.

Turns out, X was organizing an event and wanted custom-designed tees with our branding on them. It was an insane opportunity, but there was one tiny problem—we had a ridiculously tight deadline. What followed was an absolute rollercoaster: suppliers missing deadlines, printers messing up the designs, and us making frantic calls at odd hours to get things back on track. First, our supplier delayed the fabric shipment. Then, the printing facility messed up a batch of designs, and suddenly we were behind schedule. We were making desperate calls at 3 AM, coordinating with vendors, trying to find alternative solutions. At one point, we were literally sitting in a print shop, watching every single t-shirt get printed one by one to make sure nothing else went wrong. Sleep was a luxury we couldn’t afford.

There was a moment when we genuinely thought we wouldn’t make it. The deadline was creeping up, and we still had so much left to do. But somehow—through sheer determination, last-minute problem-solving, and a whole lot of adrenaline—we got it done.

When we finally delivered the order and saw people wearing Drop Tee at the event, it was surreal. That moment made every sleepless night, every frantic phone call, and every ounce of stress worth it.

Looking back, that experience was our first real taste of what it means to run a business. It showed us that entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great idea, it’s about how you handle the chaos that comes with it. Plans will fall apart, problems will appear out of nowhere, and sometimes, you’ll have to make things work with nothing but sheer willpower.

But that’s the thrill of it, isn’t it? One day, you’re casually having pizza, throwing around ideas. The next, you’re racing against time, running on caffeine and adrenaline, just to make sure your vision comes to life. And when it finally does, it feels like magic. I have literally manifested this dream, on 2nd June’24 I wrote this to the universe and on 28th June’24 we were working on DropTee for DropTee.

That’s the crazy, unpredictable, exhilarating ride of entrepreneurship. And honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. At one point, it felt like everything that could go wrong was going wrong.

This experience taught us something invaluable: no matter how well you plan, business will always throw curveballs at you. You just have to learn how to swing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

About Drop Tee
Drop Tee wasn’t born in a boardroom or out of a meticulously crafted business plan. It started over a casual pizza with my friend Yash, where I simply said, “I want to enter this field. I want to have my own brand.” That one sentence sparked an idea, and before we knew it, we were diving headfirst into the world of fashion and streetwear.

At its core, Drop Tee is more than just a t-shirt brand—it’s a statement. We create apparel that blends bold aesthetics with effortless comfort, ensuring that every piece we drop isn’t just worn but experienced. Our designs are influenced by pop culture, urban energy, and the raw creativity that drives self-expression.

We cater to people who don’t just follow trends but set their own. Our mission is simple: to create high-quality, statement-making t-shirts that resonate with individuality. Whether it’s someone looking for a standout tee to express their vibe or a brand wanting custom merchandise that reflects their identity, we make sure every design carries a story.

What Sets Us Apart?
In a market saturated with mass-produced, generic designs, Drop Tee stands out by keeping things fresh, exclusive, and high-quality. We focus on limited drops—small-batch releases that ensure each piece remains unique and special. We believe that fashion shouldn’t be disposable, so we emphasize quality over quantity, ensuring every tee is crafted with attention to detail.

Moreover, we thrive on collaboration and customization. Whether it’s working with artists to create unique designs or helping businesses craft the perfect branded merchandise, we see every project as an opportunity to push creative boundaries.

What We’re Proud Of
The journey of building Drop Tee has been an adventure—filled with challenges, late-night brainstorming, and moments of sheer excitement. One of our proudest achievements has been seeing real people resonate with our designs. The first time we spotted someone wearing our tee in public was an unforgettable moment—it validated everything we were working for.

Beyond that, we’re proud of how we’ve stayed true to our vision. We never wanted to be just another brand printing generic graphics on t-shirts. Instead, we’ve built a label that values originality, quality, and creative storytelling.

What We Want People to Know
If you’re someone who values individuality and bold self-expression, Drop Tee is for you. Whether you’re here for a fresh drop, a custom design, or just to see what we’re up to, we’re always pushing boundaries and redefining what a t-shirt brand can be.

This is just the beginning. Drop Tee isn’t just about clothing—it’s about a mindset, a movement, and a passion for making something real. Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A Lesson I Had to Unlearn
One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn as an entrepreneur was the idea that “if you plan everything perfectly, nothing will go wrong.” I used to believe that having a solid plan meant smooth execution. But Drop Tee quickly taught me that in business, no matter how much you prepare, things will always go sideways—and that’s okay.

The Backstory
When we first started Drop Tee, I was obsessed with making sure everything was structured and foolproof. I mapped out detailed plans for sourcing, production, marketing, and launches, believing that if we checked every box, nothing could go wrong.

Reality hit fast.

During one of our early drops, we had everything lined up: designs finalized, orders placed, suppliers on board, and marketing ready to roll. But then, a last-minute issue with our manufacturer threw everything off. The fabric we ordered wasn’t available, and the alternative option wasn’t up to our standards. We scrambled to find another supplier, but delays piled up. Suddenly, our “perfectly planned” launch was at risk.

At first, I panicked. It felt like all the effort we had put in was falling apart. But then, I realized something important—perfection isn’t the goal, adaptability is. Instead of trying to force the original plan, we pivoted. We found an alternative, adjusted our timeline, and communicated transparently with our audience. The drop was delayed, but when it finally happened, it was a success. More importantly, it taught me that being flexible and solving problems on the fly is a far more valuable skill than sticking to a rigid plan.

The Takeaway
I had to unlearn the belief that things have to go exactly as planned to be successful. Now, I embrace uncertainty as part of the journey. Challenges will always come up, but instead of seeing them as roadblocks, I see them as opportunities to adapt, learn, and grow.

That shift in mindset has made all the difference.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

From Side Hustle to Growing Venture: The Story of Drop Tee
For me, Drop Tee wasn’t something I initially planned as a full-scale business—it started as a passion project, a side hustle that gradually took on a life of its own.

I come from a background in IT, having completed my B.Tech in the field. Alongside that, I run Sallt Designs Studio and Productions, a creative agency, and I am a UI/UX designer. Creativity has always been at the core of what I do, whether in design, branding, or now, fashion. Currently, I’m also pursuing Architecture as my second degree, which adds another layer to my creative journey. Yash is full time in DropTee.

How It Started
The idea for Drop Tee came up in the most unexpected way—over a casual pizza conversation with my co-founder, Yash Patil. We were talking about business, creativity, and the idea of making something of our own. I casually said, “I want to enter this field. I want to have my own brand.” And that was it—the spark that led to something much bigger.

We started Drop Tee with a simple goal: to create high-quality, statement-making t-shirts that blend bold aesthetics with everyday wear in minimal price. They look posh and trendy. At first, it was just about experimenting—designing pieces we loved and seeing if people would resonate with them.

Scaling Up
As the brand started gaining traction, we hit some key milestones that made us realize Drop Tee had the potential to be much more than a side hustle:

First Drop Success: Our first collection sold out faster than we expected, showing us that people were actually connecting with our designs.

Handling Our First Bulk Order: A major breakthrough was when we received a big bulk order early on. It came with its share of challenges—tight deadlines, production issues, and logistical hurdles—but pulling it off proved that we could operate at scale.

Expanding Beyond Drops: Initially, we focused on limited-edition t-shirts, but as demand grew, we started exploring collaborations, custom apparel, and new product lines.

Balancing Multiple Ventures: Since I was already managing Sallt Designs Studio and Productions and working as a UI/UX designer, juggling multiple responsibilities became a skill in itself. But Drop Tee became something I was deeply passionate about, so it never felt like just “work.”

Where We Are Today
What started as a simple idea has now grown into a full-fledged brand that we are constantly scaling and evolving. The journey has been intense—balancing Drop Tee with my other ventures, studies, and creative pursuits—but that’s what makes it exciting.

While Drop Tee is still growing, we see it as more than just a t-shirt brand—it’s a space for creative expression, bold individuality, and quality apparel that makes a statement. And this is just the beginning. 🚀 DropTee is my cute baby, I’ll take care of it as much as I can and grow it big!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Droptee24.mini.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/droptee_official?igsh=MTFqc3poMm43c3dhMA==
• Other: Sanskrriti Gaikwad: Co-founder: sanskrriti_24 

Image Credits

Sanskrriti Gaikwad