Control what you can. Let go of what you can’t.
That’s one of my big goals for the year of 29. I wrote it down while I sipped a latte on my birthday and felt so wise and peaceful. Look at me go. I’m going to be such a great person for the last year of my twenties it’s not even funny. Maybe I’ll start teaching yoga even so I can show others how to be as peaceful and happy as me.
 |
| MARRIED AF. Jean Shorts. |
And then I got the email.
The email from a loyal reader politely tipping me off that a few more stores were “borrowing” my shirt designs. After a quick search on Etsy I saw 26 stores selling my stuff… Now before I dive into this, if you’re sitting there thinking holy shit Taylor, you are a broken record, trust me, I know. You should try living in my head for a day. It’s exhausting.
People steal t-shirt designs, we move on. It’s life. Except I don’t. I don’t “let it go.”
Ask my mom, I’ve been angrily trying to protect my intellectual property since the late 80s. It’s just who I am.
But I have gotten smarter. Since I have my copyright licensed (*I’m aware you can’t copyright a shirt/phrase, it’s an entire brand/concept) I am able to turn stores into Etsy, at which point they take the other knock-off listings down. And as soon as that happens I actually say Tick Tock out loud because then it’s just a matter of seconds before those other store owners email me. And here’s the real kicker, they’re mad at ME!
Every single day I get nasty emails from people stealing my stuff who tell me I’m in the wrong. They tell me over and over “you didn’t create this.”
Corresponding with these people is like talking to a brick wall. So what do I do? I let it go. Lols. Jk jk jk. Hahahahahaha. Instead what I do is have about 100 fake conversations/arguments in my head with these people until I’m so worked up I’ve wasted a good hour of my time.
Truthfully, I don’t like turning other stores in. I don’t get sick jollies from it or feel excited. I feel like shit because it fills me with anxiety and bad energy because I know what comes next. I have thick skin and can take a lot, but day in and day out dealing with so much negativity takes a toll.
And it’s a freaken t-shirt. (Saying this to myself here more than anyone else.) If I could just follow my mantra, let it go. let it go. let it go…
Instead I’ll blog about it because it feels oh so good to get it off my chest, thank you once again for indulging me.
If I can’t handle the heat, I should get out of the kitchen. That’s how that goes, right? This business will not change and as I grow this will only happen more and more. So what do I do?
Push on. Keep creating. I know it’s silly but I like making funny shirts and seeing other people wear them. My favorite part is when a customer includes a gift note to someone and I feel like I’m actually sending presents to strangers all over the world. That’s the fun part.
Until I write my book and star in my movie and create my sanctuary for abandoned dogs (*small goals) T-Shirt Town is where I’ve taken up residence. So I’m about to blow it up next and will be releasing five new designs.
Reader poll: if there’s a shirt/tank top you’d like for summer, let me know! I’m looking to add one more and would love the opinion from the people!
Thank you and good day.
Tay
Something that I would totally wear while working out – or eating:
"I'm already thinking about what I'm eating after this."
So many times I've been making breakfast thinking about lunch, or eating lunch thinking about what's for dinner. Please tell me you can relate!!!
YES! HAHA! I would so wear that!
I give you so much credit for protecting your brand and products! I'm sure it's not easy, but hey, you gotta stand up for what's right. Can't wait to see your new designs.
I follow you on Snapchat and I seriously can't believe some of the things that people write to you when they're the one stealing your ideas! It's crazy that they get mad at you for it when they're the ones that are in the wrong. Major props to you for keeping it up in Tshirt town!
I'm still all about pineapples, so something pineapple related for the summer would be awesome!
it doesn't matter if "you didn't create this". You copyrighted it and they didn't. end of story.
Sarah
The Midwest Darling
How about –
YOU
HAD
ME AT
JELLO!
(shots)
If it makes you millions, can I have a percentage? Please? LOL
Most people suck…they steal and think it's ok. I love your shirts and can't wait til the one I ordered arrives! I really do just want to hang with my dog. Humans are exhausting.
Well first things first, sorry people are dicks but that's life. I deal with douchbags ALL. THE. TIME. at work and I'm constantly like "when the hell did I go BACK to high school, WTF". So, no matter what or where you work, there is always going to be those folks who are just evil. Keep on trucking and doing what you love. Don't let the haters win.
Second: T-shirt idea. Aren't you training for a marathon? Make a funny slogan about that. I would totally buy a funny running shirt. "Will run for wine" "What the hell am I doing" "tired af"
Good Luck girlie and hang in there!
I'm completely obsessed with your shirts. Every single friend I have that gets married gets "married af' shirt. I would LOVE a v-neck option for some of the shirts! Unless there already is one and I'm just an idiot… wouldn't be the first time. You keep doing your thing in t-shirt town because you are kind of killing it. Screw all those Etsy bitches who think that can steal your intellectually awesome shit.
I have been dreaming up a t-shirt idea of all the beaches of Hawaii that I like but I don't think that would be a best seller for you. Sorry that people are being so annoying. I once wrote a scathing blog post on Huffington Post about why I was leary of Beachbody programs after trying it out and it didn't work for me and you would have thought I told people that the sky was orange. Because they came out in DROVES to tell me how awful of a person I was. Insanity. Keep your head up!
I think you have every right to be MAD, I know I would. I'll keep listening/reading to you vent on here haha.
xo, Maddy
http://cassidylou.com/
Along with the girl who wants v-neck options…I would love them in tanks! Love your shirts! Can't wait to see the new designs!
Ugh I'm sorry about all those stupid people. But just remember, karma is a real thing. And it'll get 'em!
I find that, no matter how optimistic I try to be, dealing with negativity day in and day out gets exhausting! Hang in there!
That is the worst. I can't believe they are mad at YOU! How lame. I'm sorry you have to deal with this. You should get a patent.