Meet Kandace Dukes | Stay-at-Home Mom & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kandace Dukes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kandace, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When I started screen printing t-shirts it was just a way to have a fun and a creative outlet for myself. I had recently become a stay-at-home mom, so this was a way for me to have something of my own. I really wanted to make cute onesies and infant t-shirts for my son without spending a fortune. Why are tiny outfits so expensive anyway? As it evolved, I realized that t-shirts are one of the easiest and comfiest ways to express yourself. You can showcase your interests, promote a business, support a cause, all while being comfortable and looking cute. It’s a simple way for people to share a part of themselves, and I enjoy being a part of that.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I know I’m not the only personal making t-shirts, but what sets me apart is my commitment to each person I interact with. I am currently a one woman show, and I want to make the best impression with each person placing an order. It’s important to me to have people in love with their order and to return to my shop. I have found that the people I have connected with or have gone the extra mile for are the ones that continue to support my small business. People don’t want to feel pushed to the side or unheard. You lose the personal touch with the big stores, so I try to make sure that doesn’t happen.

I also try to create designs that aren’t found in the big stores. Graphic t-shirts are in right now, so I need to stand out using bleaching and dying techniques, distressing, custom work, and styles or designs not easily available. I offer a little bit of everything, but I would say most designs are dark, but sweet – morbidly cute. The hardest challenge is standing out and getting my name out there. I’ve learned that the best way to do that is through people. If you make an effort for others, they tend to make the effort for you.

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.
I always love the Georgia Aquarium! I could spend hours (or a full day) roaming around looking at all of the animals. It’s beautiful, and I firmly believe it’s something everyone should experience at least once. You can’t visit Atlanta without catching a Braves game or two! It’s such a good time, especially for Friday night fireworks. The Vortex is a cool and edgy place to eat. The drinks are good, the burgers are delicious, and the fried pickles are a favorite! For the views, we would dress up and have dinner at the Sun Dial restaurant in the Westin. It’s gorgeous at night and the city is full of lights. There’s always so many new places to eat, coffee shops, bakeries that we would explore the streets to find them all. Coffee, fresh flowers and shopping at Ponce City Market. And food, always the food!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would have never started this creative process at all without the encouragement of my husband. He’s the one who took the dive and purchased all of the equipment to get the ball rolling, and he has always supported and helped where he could. My friends and family have been amazing at supporting my business by purchasing and wearing my designs, but also sharing my page and promoting me to their own friends and families. It’s the quickest way to grow a small business, and I appreciate it so much! My tiny human is also my helper with packaging and shipping. He’s always down for a trip to the post office, and friendly to our local customers. My current customers definitely deserve a shoutout as well, especially my true crime fans and bookish babes! Some have become friends, and I feel like I have built relationships with them through these t-shirts.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScreenQueenTshirts

Instagram: @screenqueenshirts

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/383817412646086