Daily Inspiration: Meet Alyson Popovich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyson Popovich.

Hi Alyson, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
Hey there! My name’s Alyson, but you can call me Aly. I’m a 20-year-old entrepreneur who prints unique designs on clothing, and I love what I do! It all started in California during the first year of COVID-19. I begged my mom for an embroidery machine for Christmas, and when I saw it under the tree, I was ecstatic! I started taking custom embroidery orders over Instagram and invested all my three hundred dollars into my newfound business. It blew up in a short period, and I received lots of support from people. I was then able to invest in more equipment and techniques, and I moved to Florida a few months later. I started my online website and did pop-up markets, which I loved. I enjoyed the community, support, and everything about it. From doing these pop-ups, I landed wholesale clients so I could get my products in local stores. Later, I got married and moved to North Carolina – a beautiful, forest-filled state. I applied to local markets in the Wake Forest/Raleigh area but only got accepted to two. Since moving to North Carolina, I started another brand and landed some wholesale clients! I would love to open up a brick-and-mortar shop because, as of right now, everything I produce is ethically made in my spare bedroom, and my wonderful mom helps me with markets in Florida while I run them in North Carolina! All in all, I love what I do because it makes my creative soul happy, and I can connect with so many amazing people. 

I am immensely grateful for my family, as they have supported me in countless ways. My mother and sister assist me with markets, and my father creates amazing displays for my pop-ups. My aunts, uncles, and grandparents have supported me from the very beginning, and my wonderful husband helps me tremendously with making and fulfilling orders, as well as running pop-up events. I couldn’t have accomplished all that I have without their assistance and encouragement. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a business is not always a smooth journey. Inflation can be quite high, but we strive to maintain our prices without compromising quality. Running a business can be a demanding task, requiring a lot of time, effort, and management. When I relocated from California to Florida, I had to take a break for a few months, which resulted in the loss of a lot of business. However, I was able to get back on track by doing pop-ups. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Izothreads and Acalaco, we ethically design and produce custom clothing using embroidery, sublimation, DTF, and vinyl techniques. We offer wholesale services for businesses and specialize in positive, inspiring apparel. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the community and the support for small businesses. There’s not anything I don’t like 🙂 

Pricing:

• Crewnecks range from 35-40 dollars retail and 50% off wholesale
• Hoodies range from 45-55 dollars retail and 50% off wholesale
• Shirts range from 15-20 dollars retail and 50% off wholesale

Contact Info:

• Website: izothreads.com and acalaco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/izothreads or https://www.instagram.com/helloacalaco