Today we’d like to introduce you to Chantal Copper.
Hi Chantal, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have a relative, a cousin that I was raised with as an immediate sibling to be exact, that passed away almost four years ago. Honestly, death is harder here on the ones still living. Well I remember going to visit her gravesite the first year after her passing and I wanted to make a shirt dedicated to her, so I did. I used an iron and some lettering that I purchased from Michael’s. I enjoyed making that so much that I realized I may actually be able to create some really nice items for people. I studied and researched for about three-plus months on everything I would need to first start creating designs for shirts. Once I had everything I thought I needed I began to practice to better this new crafting that I was attempting. Turns out I was really better at it than I gave myself credit for. All the while I still didn’t have a name for the business I was creating.
One night I had a dream of my cousin dressed in all white with beautiful grayish-black wings, riding on a motorcycle, and smiling from ear to ear as if she was letting me know that she is doing okay. I remember jumping up out of my sleep and on a piece of paper drawing out a design that uses the first letter of our nicknames which is T and multiplying that by 2. I also wanted to incorporate the wings that I kept staring at in my dream. (My name is Chantal and my nickname is Telly, her name is Sertonya and her nickname is Tonya). From there, T2 Fly Designs was created. I must admit I didn’t think it would get this far but I have made it my mission to try and make people’s visions come to life on T-shirts, cups, mugs, keychains, hats, robes, towels, and much more. What started as a hobby with making shirts, turned into talent that I never knew I had in me and I am forever grateful. T2 Fly Designs is linked together forever in my cousin’s memory.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have made countless mistakes to ripping items, making designs backward, printing and pressing incorrect things, and accidentally breaking items. See the thing is you have to go through the hard times and continue to push yourself. No masterpiece is created with just one try. Practice makes perfect!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am both an employee as well as a business owner. The goal is to have multiple streams of income as well as acquiring residual income. During the day I work as an office clerk at an elementary school. Right after that job is complete, I head straight to my business affairs to complete orders. I work to create a design that fits perfectly for my customers. What I am best known for is the quality of the work. I specialize in bringing visions to life on any substrate and making sure my customer is happy, not settling. I am proud that I went from ironing on letters and designs to creating a whole office space. I took a chance and bet on myself. The best investment I have ever made.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love best is the ability to branch out and bring attention to small businesses and what they have accomplished. What I like the least is the limited amount of walk-in access to business supplies for my business needs. Online is the direction I have to go in a lot of times.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t2flydesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/t2flydesigns/
- Other: https://etsy.me/3dthDIu
