Today we’d like to introduce you to Natty Baca.
Hi Natty, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It all started when I wanted to have a shirt at the gym that nobody else had. So I was doodling on a scratch piece of paper at work when I thought of putting the two things I am the most passionate about. PIZZA & FITNESS. So I messed around with a sketch and finally created the design. I said ok, well, everyone says, “I’m going to get through this one day at a time,” I thought, well, I’ll Never give pizza up, so I’ll get through it. “One Slice At A Time.” I sketched out what I had put together and sent it to a friend that knew how to print shirts and asked her to print that for me on a tank top. On the back, I put #AllNatty because my name is Natty, and I’m also all Natural. So it made perfect sense to me. She got me my shirt in less than a week, just in time for me to wear it for my birthday in June 2020. Every time I’d wear it to the gym, someone always told me, “hey, that’s a cool shirt,” “I like ur top,” or “where did you get that shirt from” things like that, so I then visioned walking into the gym and seeing people wearing a shirt with my logo on it. I began doing some research and asked friends around about products & services. I got enough information, reached into my savings, and ordered 100 shirts to see what would happen. 2 weeks later. All shirts were sold! 😯 My gym family was all so supportive and bought several to the point where they’d ask when I would make more with different colors and styles. I didn’t want to let them down, so I started brainstorming and taking the winter season coming into consideration. Hoodies! Pump covers! Yes! From that moment, there was no stopping.
Over 3 years, I’ve modified colors & styles depending on the season. I made T-shirts, long sleeves, hoodies, tank tops, crop tops, sleeveless hoodies, caps, beanies, towels & stickers. What I never expected to happen took off and turned into my small business. Not knowing what would happen, it was a roller coaster for the first two years. Facing trial and error with material & colors, potentially losing profit from certain styles not selling. But I dared not give my Vision up. In 2022 I was then guided and mentored by my boyfriend, who knew a lot about the small business aspects. It gave me amazing advice and pushed me to file for an LLC. From that moment, I knew I was putting my all into it, and following that, it led me to raise $37,000 in working capital with business credit allowing me to expand and reach new goals with E-commerce. From word of mouth & friends tagging me on social media, it’s grown so much! I created my website to expand outside of San Antonio, and it was a total success. I also get invited to do pop-up events at local gyms. In June of 2023, I will be celebrating 3 years that I’ve managed to keep my small business going & growing. I know it hasn’t been easy, but I also know it’s possible!
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a roller coaster from changing colors & styles. Trying to learn what would sell best was tough. There were times when specific colors would take me months to push out. But Just like any new small business, it has its up and downs. Some months I’d do well; others, I’d barely sell anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about One Slice At A Time?
One slice at a time is a Fitness clothing brand that will help remind you to balance your favorite food and the gym. Styles and colors are changed depending on the season or request. Website is available @ www.OnesliceNatty.com. Use code Voyage to get a discount for just taking the time to read this and support me! Pick-up or delivery options are available only for people in San Antonio but will ship to anywhere in the U.S.
My passion and drive to not give up on a small business set me apart from others. Everyone wants to start a clothing brand; it’s more than just dropping a logo on a shirt. Maintaining it for more than the first year is where the commitment shows. I’m very proud of how far it’s come and how much better the material quality has gotten. I couldn’t have done this without the help of my friends always repping it wherever they go or travel to. It goes a long way, even if you like or share my post! I cannot express the power of exposure! I love getting messages or pictures from friends and spotting someone wearing a shirt. It gets me so excited to keep going! Thank you so much! If you dare to start, you dare to succeed!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Having the right people around is essential! Reaching out to successful business owners, asking questions, doing research, and networking everywhere and anywhere you go! Don’t be shy! If you are a new business owner, I’d recommend connecting with a friend knowledgeable in the business or doing your due diligence. What has worked for me is learning my target audience and what they like, taking friends’ ideas and bringing them to life, putting my pride aside, and allowing my boyfriend to mentor me to raise capital at 0% interest to fund my business.
Pricing:
- T-shirts $30
- Hoodies $30
- Women’s Tank Tops $25
- Dri-fit Long sleeve $30
- Sleeveless Hoodie $30
Contact Info:
- Website:Â www.oneslicenatty.com
- Instagram:Â Its_natty23
- Facebook:Â One slice At A time
Image Credits
Matt V, Roxanne Z, Oscar E
