As the name suggests, Red Head Tribe Logos is anything but ordinary and boring, and there’s just something about it that is making shoppers want more, and it all started with a garage sale, $500 in profits, and a desire to put her kids in adorable matching shirts. Today, only two short years later, it’s Eagle Grove’s newest storefront.
Owner, Tiara Paul, said that it all began with a desire to dress her children in corresponding clothes.
“Three weeks after giving birth to my son, (I used the $500 from the garage sale) to buy a cheap vinyl cutting machine, a $7 iron, and black/white vinyl. I wanted nothing more than to be able to dress my daughter and son in corresponding “big sister-little brother shirts, but I simply could not afford to buy them online or from someone else, so I decided I would just learn how to make them myself,” Paul said.
She admitted she thought it would be easy. She spent countless hours watching Youtube videos, searching the internet, and going through trial and error.
“I didn’t have a mentor or anyone I could ask, so it really all depended on me,” she said. “At first, everything I made was (terrible). It was a huge disappointment and a hurdle I had to get over. I felt like a failure and I was so embarrassed that I wasted $500 on (this) instead of putting it towards items for my children.”
But Paul’s friends wouldn’t let her give up. They kept encouraging her to try and try again. Eventually, they even “pushed” her, as Paul said, into doing a vendor show that featured boutique clothing as well as some of her own original design items. Now, all that was left was to decide on a name for her business – then it came to her.
“Well, obviously I don’t have red hair, but my children do and I liked the teepee because our initials are literally “T.P.” I wanted to come up with a unique and creative business name instead of the common ‘Tiara’s Tees’ or something like that, so I decided to use Red Head Tribe Logos inside a teepee to really center in on my family, Paul explained. “Everything I’ve done, and ever will do, will be for the benefit of my two children.”
“Cassie Eger and Karissa Cruz attended my first vendor show, standing behind me the entire time,” she recalled. “To my surprise, I had a blast.”
Last year, Paul attended five different vendor shows – and remember, it was only her first year of doing them, and she not only made a profit, but made enough to take her daughter on a surprise birthday trip tot he Mall of American and also have money left over for Christmas.
Earlier this year, Paul decided she was ready to take Red Head Tribe Logos to the next level. She found that opportunity when Jon Rowen, owner of J&J Sports offered her the building next door to his as well as a partnership of sorts. Since joining forces, Paul explains that she is now able to offer screen printing, sublimation printing, vinyl, and embroidery for customers. Also, they’re not just limited to T-shirts.
“We can do nearly anything you could ever think of. Our prices are competitive, our turnaround time is quick, and our customer service is what separates us from other printing companies in the area,” said Paul.
The boutique portion of the store offers “trendy” women’s items that Paul said is consistently being restocked to keep on point with the latest trends in sizes small through 3X.
In addition to a great location and a great opportunity, Paul said she decided to open the store in Eagle Grove is because although she didn’t graduate from EGHS, she did grow up here.
“I call Eagle Grove my hometown…I love this town. I’ve always felt safe and supported here. I wanted to give back and offer something this town is lacking. I don’t want to be just another boutique” she said. “My goal is to create a safe space where everyone is welcome. There is no judgment once you walk inside my doors. If you want to stop in and just talk because you’re feeling lonely, or you have exciting news you’re dying to share with someone, my door is unlocked.”
Red Head Tribe Logos opened their downtown doors to the public on May 30 with a grand opening event that Paul felt was very successful despite COVID-19.
“I was actually planning on opening my store in April, but with COVID hitting before that, I was pushed back. I’m super thankful that things play out the way they did, though,” she admitted. “It forced me to hit pause and stop what I was doing and with the extra time I was able to convert all of my tees offered in the shop to screen print instead of vinyl.”
Paul was also able to find five other small businesses owned by women who brought their products into her new store. Paul is thrilled to announce that you will be able to find products in her store from A Whiskey Shot (hand poured candles), Midwest Treasures (painted signs and furniture), Chubby Duck Bathtime, art by Emerald Holdredge, and art by Sara Middleton.
Red Head Tribe Logos, located at 122 W. Broadway is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. If you haven’t yet been in her store, she is having a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony next week, Thursday, July 2. It’s the perfect reason to stop in and introduce yourself and see all the changes and improvements she’s made to the store.
“I’ve always wanted to make a difference, I just didn’t know how I would do it. I’m more than a boutique or a T-shirt printer. My goal is to create a tribe of empowerment,” she said.
One way she is doing this is by offering an Ambassadors program online, and once COVID restrictions are lifted, she plan on hosting and Ambassador’s Night where all Ambassadors are invited to attend and get to know one another. Stop in the store to learn more about this program.
“I love what I do because every day I’m working on something different. There is no ceiling here. I’m constantly able to learn and grow. I’ve never felt so fulfilled and genuinely happy in my entire life,” concluded Paul. “I am loyal to empowering ALL women. Designed for the mom on the go, the woman who works from sunrise to sunset, the fashionista who is always on top of trends, and the homebody who just wants to be comfortable.”
