We had the good fortune of connecting with Bobby Engels and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Bobby, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I have been making and selling things since the 4th grade and always thought it would be cool to work for myself and have a successful business one day. Plus I felt like I was always putting in so much hard work for my employers that I would be better off doing the same for myself.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I grew up skateboarding In Denver and always had an infatuation with brands and fashion as most skateboarders do. After dropping out of high school and jumping from job to job, while battling drug addiction and a plethora of other bad decisions, I found myself lost, unskilled and unconfident in my future. Luckily I was able to use my interest in fashion to pick a business model that didn’t require traditional education. The Business model that seemed the most fulfilling and intriguing to me was printing on clothes. I started out by learning online and through trial and error how to make custom socks. I printed for anyone who wanted whatever their heart desired on a pair of socks. The margins were low and juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze, so I transitioned to paying my friends to let me use their art on the socks and selling them at local art markets. business was better under this model, but every time I told customers that I print all the socks myself, without fail every person would ask if i can print shirts, hats, etc. I decided that learning to screen print would be a valuable skill to have and beneficial to my business. I found used equipment online and watched every informational youtube video I could find. About one month into my endeavor I was asked by a family friend if i could print eighty soccer jerseys because their other printer flaked on them. I still had basically no idea what i was doing, but managed to pull it off and was shocked at how much more lucrative it was compared to the sock business. From that point on I have dedicated myself to learning proper print techniques and acquiring the proper equipment to produce the best work I possibly can. Recently I changed the name of my business to Voyage Merch and focus solely on making custom garments and promotional products for others.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Food and farmers markets are always my go to’s. I also happen to be vegan, so I would start with Green Bus cafe in the morning, then Watercourse foods for lunch. After that I would hit one of my favorite markets like South pearl street farmers market or University hills market. I would end the day with Mora pizza or Vegan van and basically just repeat those in a different order the rest of the week.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents. I believe I inherited my dads work ethic and my moms creativity, which led me to where I am today. I also want to give a shoutout to WooHoo screen print supplies for always helping me with the information and supplies to keep me going.
Website: Voyagemerch.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voyagemerch/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@VoyageMerch