Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Jackson.
Hi Josh, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The idea for Mr. Tees was born in the most unexpected place—my barber’s chair. I’d been getting my hair cut by the same stylist for a couple of years, and during one visit she mentioned she was branching out on her own and needed shirts and hats for her new business. I had been toying with the idea of getting into custom apparel for a while, and something about that moment just clicked. Before I knew it, I blurted out, “I can make them for you!”
There was only one small detail: I didn’t actually own a heat press… or any real equipment… or, honestly, have much of a plan.
Luckily, my birthday was right around the corner. When my sister asked what I wanted, I sent her the Amazon link to the heat press sitting in my cart. She and her boyfriend (now fiancé), my parents, and my older brother and his girlfriend (now fiancé) all pitched in to get me my very first press.
And from there—well, I never looked back. Mr. Tees officially went from a half-formed idea in a barber shop to a full-blown business fueled by family support, a little courage, and a lot of trial and error.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have definitely been some ups and downs along the way. One obstacle that really stands out was during one of my largest orders for a local high school. I was right in the middle of production when my heat press decided it had given all it could give—and tapped out on me. I tried everything to revive it, but in the end, I had to purchase a brand-new press just to finish the project on time. Nothing says “entrepreneurship” quite like unexpected equipment drama.
Aside from that, this journey has been filled with plenty of trial and error as I’ve fine-tuned my process. I’m constantly learning, experimenting, and finding new ways to improve the overall experience. Every challenge has pushed me to get better, and honestly, I wouldn’t trade the ride for anything.
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?
Mr. Tees was founded on a simple mission: create awesome custom apparel using high-quality products—without the premium price tag. After teaming up with CS Web Design to build the website, they really helped jump-start the vision for what my brand is and what it stands for. I spent a lot of time thinking about all the shirts I’ve worn over the years—what I liked, what I didn’t, and what truly made some stand out. Then I dug into the types of shirts most companies use for custom orders… and intentionally went in a different direction so I could offer something higher-quality and longer-lasting.
Before long, I became known for school spirit wear. I started with what I knew best. With three kids in school—two of them in band—I realized that was my perfect “in.” I began with my alma mater, William B. Travis High School, where I spent all four years in the band myself. I partnered with the directors to create shirts for the program, and the first time I saw those students take the field wearing something I made… it was an incredible moment. That opened the door to selling spirit wear at football games, and now you really can’t look into the stands without spotting multiple Mr. Tees shirts proudly on display.
There’s something special about people choosing to support small, local businesses and giving them the chance to earn a lifelong customer. For me, Mr. Tees isn’t just about creating great shirts—it’s also about giving back and making a difference in the community. Over the past few years, Mr. Tees has volunteered at a yearly backpack drive hosted by Sanchez Law, a local personal injury firm, and has helped organize fundraisers to support students and their programs.
At the end of the day, it’s about quality, community, and creating something people are proud to wear.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I’d say the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that longevity in business comes from remembering it’s a marathon, not a sprint. In the early days, I was eager—very eager—and ready to go all in before I even fully understood what I was doing. I started buying equipment I didn’t actually need, which quickly turned into unnecessary expenses that didn’t benefit the business at all.
Looking back, it taught me one of the most valuable lessons: patience. Growth takes time, and trying to fast-forward the process usually backfires. If you want to build something that lasts, you have to pace yourself, learn as you go, and trust that the steady steps forward matter just as much as the big leaps.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mrteesshop.com
- Instagram: mrteesshop
- Facebook: mrteesshop
