This week’s Shirt Show features Rachel Rogers of Star Cadet, one of the most recognizable hybrid brands in screen printing. Star Cadet blends content, community, and apparel production to serve niche audiences and creative collaborations. Dylan, Andy, and Rachel explore how the brand has evolved, from zines and Tumblr to streamlined DTF workflows and team structure.
FROM TUMBLR TO TENNESSEE
Rachel’s creative path began during the Tumblr era, where she grew an early following through illustration and independent publishing. After several design roles, she joined forces with her brother Rhett to launch Star Cadet. The business quickly found momentum through culturally driven design and flexible fulfillment strategies.
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FAMILY BUSINESS WITH CLEAR ROLES
Rachel leads the creative and content side of Star Cadet. Rhett manages operations. That split keeps things efficient and helps avoid burnout. The episode touches on how boundaries, honest communication, and aligned values allow their family dynamic to support the entire team.
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CONTENT-DRIVEN PRODUCTION
One of Star Cadet’s biggest strengths is its ability to respond quickly to culture. Rachel explains how their production model supports rapid launches, small batch drops, and efficient fulfillment using DTF printing. The result is a tight feedback loop between design, content, and delivery.
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STAYING GROUNDED WHILE GROWING
Rachel reflects on what keeps her motivated after years of building: creative freedom, strong community, and a great team. Star Cadet’s growth hasn’t come from chasing trends. It’s been about staying true to voice and investing in infrastructure that makes experimentation possible without chaos.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Fast, flexible fulfillment opens creative doors.
- Creative work has real limits. Protect your energy.
- Define roles early when working with family.
- Strong voice builds long-term trust with your audience.
- Agility matters more than perfection.