@bangtanwifessmy
When Life Gives You Lockdown, Start a Business
Picture this: Four years ago, the world hit pause. Lockdowns, home offices, and more time in pajamas than anyone could handle. While everyone else was perfecting banana bread recipes, flaunting TikTok talents, and binge-watching Netflix, I was on a wild adventure—cleaning our room post-Zoom marathon with my old boss and colleagues. Yep, you heard me right. Amid the clutter, I unearthed a 12-year-old diary with a note to my future self: “put up a printing business.” Talk about a throwback with a twist!
Now, some people might have seen that as a coincidence. I saw it as a neon sign from the universe, flashing “NOW OR NEVER.” So, like any rational person, I quit my 9-hour marketing job during a global pandemic to start a home-based business. Smart, right? Well, spoiler alert: it was, but not without a few sleepless nights (and by a few, I mean approximately all of them).
I started with minimal knowledge about running a printing business, graphic design skills that were more like grandma’s Facebook mishaps, tech skills that were intermediate, and editing skills that barely scratched the surface. But I had a big DREAM! Every day’s been a learning adventure, and YouTube University has been my ultimate sidekick.
I spent hours diving into printing techniques, materials, and watching endless videos of experts who made it look easy. Armed with my new-found knowledge and a big DREAM, I splurged on my first big purchases: a heat press machine and a Cameo 4. Wallah!—welcome to the t-shirt printing biz! With a dash of creative flair and a ton of Bangtan love, I designed my first products and dubbed my store Bangtan Wife Superstore—because, just like BTS, I’m a bulletproof wife, standing strong through every twist and turn!
The first few months were … slow.
Sales were so low that even our poor dog started to worry. But I refused to give up. I hustled on social media, begged—ahem—asked my friends and family to spread the word, and eventually, things started to pick up. When I got my first few orders, it felt like hitting the jackpot. I was over the moon! And then came the thank-you messages and glowing reviews. That’s when I realized I wasn’t just printing t-shirts—I was printing happiness. (Okay, maybe that’s a bit cheesy, but it’s true!) With every order, I reinvested in better materials, expanded my product lineup, and introduced custom designs. I went from stocking just 10 plain t-shirts to having 10pcs each colors of every blank tee you can imagine.
My husband quickly became my most loyal customer—every time he scrolled Facebook and saw a t-shirt design he liked, he’d request it (thanks, dear!)
Watching this evolution has been incredibly rewarding—like discovering the last slice of purple yam cheesecake in the fridge! (Yay! tha’ts my favorite actually). It’s been truly fulfilling to see my business transform from humble beginnings into a vibrant, thriving store.
Even now, I’m still pulling those 20-hour days I hoped to avoid when I ditched my old job—well, occasionally! But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. My business has not just blossomed; it’s practically a garden! My customer base keeps expanding, and I’m constantly amazed by the support from my followers and customers on every platform. Big shoutout to my fellow BTS ARMYs (especially the BTS ARMY SQUAD group)! Your support is like the magic ingredient that keeps this whole operation cooking.
So, what’s the moral of the story? If you’re thinking about starting a business, just go for it. There will be ups, there will be downs, and there will be a lot of caffeine.
But if you love what you do, embrace the risks, and keep a positive mindset, you’ll find your way.
Good luck, and may your dreams be as bulletproof as mine!
Oh, and if you’re ever in the mood for a t-shirt, mug, bag, or a personalized gift box sprinkled with a bit of your own flair, just give me a shout. Consider me your go-to spot for gifts that rock and custom treats that can’t be topped!
My First Office: The Only Workspace with a Built-In Nap Zone
My First Dynamic Duo: The Machines That Turned Dreams into Deliveries
