In the beginning, it’s just an idea.
Maybe it’s a phrase you’ve been saying for years.
Maybe it’s a sketch on the corner of a notebook.
Or maybe it’s a word that’s carried you through the quiet moments when no one else believed.
That’s where most brands start, in the margins.
But the difference between a side hustle and a brand? Intention.
Step 1: Define the Statement
Your brand statement isn’t just a slogan, it’s a belief system.
For BBT APPAREL, it started with the word Creator.
Not just for artists or designers, but for anyone building something from scratch.
Your statement should be:
►Short enough to fit on a shirt.
►Strong enough to spark conversation.
►True enough that you’d wear it even if no one else noticed.
Step 2: Build Around the Message
Once your statement is clear, design everything to support it.
►Colors: Minimal or bold, but intentional.
►Fonts: Match the energy of your brand.
►Placement: Where your design sits matters as much as the design itself.
Step 3: Connect With Your People
Your audience isn’t “everyone.”
It’s the ones who get it.
When they see your shirt, they feel like you’re speaking directly to them.
Social media, pop-up shops, and collaborations with aligned creators can help you find them faster.
Step 4: Keep It Wearable
It’s not just merch, it’s part of their daily rotation.
That means quality fabric, perfect fit, and designs that outlast trends.
The Creator. tee from BBT APPAREL was built for the quiet grind, wearable in the studio, the meeting, or the late-night work session.
Step 5: Think Like a Brand, Not a Hustle
Hustlers survive on quick sales.
Brands survive on loyalty.
That’s why every drop should feel like part of a bigger story.
For us, it’s Season One, each chapter a new word, a new statement, a new piece of the rebuild.
Your side hustle can become your signature.
Start with a statement.
Make it wearable.
And let your people carry your brand into the world.
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