Today we’d like to introduce you to The DisPINsary
Hi The DisPINsary, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
FB – We’re Francisco Bayardo and Katie Hooks, and we are The DisPINsary. I’m a graphic designer specializing in signage and other custom graphics. I grew up playing sports and always had a passion for collecting Pokemon cards and sports memorabilia. Now as a father, I’ve passed that same passion down to my children. Katie’s background is primarily in non-profit management and corporate event planning; but growing up an athlete with a shopping problem, it’s no surprise she ended up here.
KH – We met working on a jersey project together within the supporters community for the Austin FC MLS team and have a shared passion for merch and collectibles. We decided to collaborate on a couple of other related projects and ran with it from there. With Francisco’s background in graphic design and merchandising, and my business experience and some limited legal background, we started The DisPINsary in the fall of 2023 with a single soft enamel pin. We officially launched our LLC and web store in early 2024, and have continued to grow towards the end of our first year now with a full inventory of pins, jerseys, hats, signs and stickers and a ton of new plans in development.
FB – We are The dis-PIN-sary – with an emphasis on “pin” because what started as a small business specializing in collectible pins primarily targeted towards the Austin FC fan community has pretty quickly grown into sportswear and hats as well, with more expansion plans on the horizon. We primarily conduct our business online and at local markets and events with plans to grow into something more concrete in the future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
FB – Finding the time to run a small business on the side, both of us with full time day jobs and families is very challenging. I have children in different sports and activities, and Katie’s family time is mainly limited to weekends, so finding the space to dedicate to the business has to be intentional and well planned. Sometimes a teams’ performance can definitely affect sales, which we really hadn’t considered since we’re both die-hard fans. Creating unique and lasting designs in a city full of inspired creatives trying to do the same thing has been an interesting learning curve as well.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
KH – We’ve been blessed with the honor to work with some of the Austin FC players to develop pins in their likeness and contribute donations from the proceeds on the players’ behalf to their chosen local charitable organizations. We have a few more players still on the shelves with donations to go out later this season, and we hope to continue that program with the team next season as well. That’s been a really fun way to pay tribute to these guys that their fans LOVE (especially us) and an easy way for us to give something back to the community. So we hope to continue and expand that part of our business for sure in the coming years.
FB – Another development in this first year of our business has been on custom orders. We’ve been doing a lot of work with friends creating pins and stickers for their own small businesses, brands and special projects. We’ve also started some corporate merchandising for bigger local brands and we’re continuing to grow that branch of our business more every day so that’s been very exciting.
FB – We get asked for advice sometimes from others just starting out. You really can do anything you put your mind to, as long as you work hard and listen to your gut. Don’t be afraid to take risks, because when you fail (and you will many times), you just try again and eventually you’ll get it right! And those small business wins are the best feeling in the world. The creative world is yours, and you can make it what you want!
KH – We’re excited about where we’re headed hopefully in the next 5-10 years. Our home offices are getting pretty tight already so we plan to eventually move into a permanent space and open a small shop somewhere in town. You’ll see a lot of new apparel and headwear from us moving forward, we’re really excited about that and the direction that’s taking us in. But we’re always gonna stay true to our roots with our love of pins and our Verde community. Those will always be a staple of our brand. And hopefully one day we can establish some licensed brand partnerships with some of our favorite local sports teams and major sports leagues!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedispinsaryatx.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dispinsaryatx/?hl=en
