Today we’d like to introduce you to Colby Wilkinson.
Hi Colby, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In high school, I was a big sneakerhead. I learned how to make money reselling shoes, and that eventually grew into a subscription-based business where people paid a monthly fee to learn how to do the same. My favorite part of the business was celebrating the success of others who learned from me. That’s when I realized the joy of building something that helps others win.
Around the same time, I took a peer tutor class where I worked with students in the special education classroom. I loved it immediately. The friendships I made and the sense of purpose I felt stuck with me and shaped the way I saw the world.
One day I got a phone call from my brother, who was attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He had something big he was working on, an organization called The G Day that would promote inclusion and empowerment for people with disabilities. He asked if I wanted to lead the supported employment side by building a business that could create jobs and generate funding. It felt like the perfect opportunity to combine both of my passions.
That’s when we launched The G Day Printing Company. We chose printing because it’s a highly teachable and hands-on process that allows for creativity, repetition, and skill-building, making it ideal for customizing jobs to different abilities. We also had an established relationship with Market Street Press, a leader in the promotional printing industry for over 20 years.
Today, we partner with local businesses and organizations to produce their merchandise and promotional products. In doing so, we’ve created meaningful, skill-based jobs for people with disabilities, helping them earn income, gain confidence, and be part of something bigger, a community where they feel appreciated for who they are.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For me on a personal level, one of the biggest challenges has been getting caught up in the day to day. Thinking about growing the business, increasing sales, handling tasks, and always looking ahead. All of that is super important, but I have been challenging myself to take a step back at times and appreciate how far we have come and the impact we are making.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The G Day?
The G Day is centered around a simple but powerful promise: to make it a good day for yourself and for someone else. This promise is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s helped us build a growing, inclusive community.
We specialize in high-quality custom printing. Whether it’s T-shirts, mugs, fidget spinners, domino sets, or promotional materials, if you can dream it, we can print it. Our team is full of hard working, motivated individuals leading to an extremely fast turnaround time on our products.
What truly sets us apart is how we use our profits. Instead of focusing solely on revenue, we reinvest directly into our community. Every purchase helps fund large, inclusive G Day events, from sporting games to community celebrations. Our members receive custom merch, food, and tickets completely free of charge. These events break down barriers that have historically kept many of our members on the sidelines, such as cost, accessibility, and lack of support.
We’re proud of the way we combine professional-quality merchandise with purpose. When you partner with The G Day, you’re not just getting a great product, you’re helping someone else have a good day too.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think that real luck is being in a position where your skills, passion, and opportunity align with solving something that matters. I was lucky to have a brother who saw the potential in combining my entrepreneurial background with our shared passion for disability advocacy, and I feel very lucky to be where I am at today. The question is whether you’re prepared to recognize opportunities and willing to do the work to make them real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thegday.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamgday
