Stephanie Shaw’s Tee Tingz making a statement for breast cancer fighters, thrivers and supporters
Published:Friday | October 18, 2024 | 9:14 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
October is recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is dedicated to acknowledging breast cancer warriors and survivors and spreading the importance of early detection. For Stephanie Shaw, when a family member was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to add a line of shirts to her Tee Tingz collection to spread awareness and help with expenses.
“My cousin, who was like a sister to me, was diagnosed with breast cancer. So my aim was to make statement tees that would spread awareness in one breath and take proceeds from the sales and help towards assisting her with medical expenses,” Shaw told Living.
Based on the positive feedback she received from customers last year, she decided to restock and expand, giving customers more options to choose from as they bring awareness and honour fighters and thrivers and their loved ones.
The T-shirts, which feature bold pink designs, are certainly ideal for making a fashion statement and showing support in style.
From ‘In October, we wear pink’ and ‘Hope’ to ‘Breast cancer warrior’ and ‘Nobody fights alone’, people have loved the message behind the pink initiative, and they have also enjoyed the added personal touches available.
“Persons could customise a design by having what I’ve written at the front and their names at the back. Or, if people are giving the shirts to someone, they can have a little note or bring something additional into play.”
As a creative, Shaw started Tee Tingz back in 2020, during the global pandemic, to bring something different to the market. “I realised that people love personalised items. It shows consideration and thoughtfulness. You can get a T-shirt, but it doesn’t have to be ordinary at all.”
Shaw has received several personalised orders, namely for reunions, husband and wife matching tees or birthday party themes. And that uniform dynamic has definitely brought an added level of pizazz to special events.
Noting that life isn’t without its obstacles, importation continues to be a challenge for her business. “I import a lot of material for printing. Going through couriers can get pricey as we go along, and while I am grateful that the government increased the customs duty threshold, we still have some way to go.”
The goal is to have Tee Tingz be recognised as an established brand both locally and internationally. “I’d love my brand to be at airports. Some of my items are currently at Devon House in Kingston. And I want to branch out to other parishes as well.”
As for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the entrepreneur is looking forward to bringing more awareness to the disease “outside of the T-shirts”.
She hopes to raise enough funds from the sales so that a part of the proceeds can help to support a pink warrior queen in need. “I know someone who is currently fighting breast cancer, and I’m going to be specifically donating the funds to her so that it can help. I had mentioned my cousin before, who was my reason for starting the breast cancer line. Unfortunately, she passed away this year. So bringing awareness is key for me.”
Tee Tingz is on Instagram, @tee_tingz.