Announcing the 2025 Backing Small Businesses Grant Recipients
We are thrilled to announce the recipients of the 2025 Backing Small Businesses grant program, supported by American Express.
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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt interviews Patrice Hull, the owner of Stuff We Wanna Say Custom T‑Shirts and Apparel and c2bn / Created to be Noticed, based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Patrice began her career in corporate health insurance, but after being laid off just before Christmas, she decided to pursue her passion. She bought a heat press and printer, started designing and printing her own t‑shirts, and launched her brand, Stuff We Wanna Say. She started small, producing t‑shirts at a local co-op, and gradually expanded her offerings to include sunglasses, pants, and more.
Later, Patrice introduced her second brand, c2bn (Created to be Noticed), focusing on high-quality, multi-functional canvas bags. Her first major client was a shoe store in the Little Five Points neighborhood, and soon she was filling wholesale orders for other local retailers. Her work eventually caught the eye of celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Tune in to hear Patrice share how she built her brands, adapted to grow her business, and the importance of pursuing what you love.