What happens when a shop owner decides it’s time to sell? In this week’s episode of Shirt Show, Dylan sits down with Brooke Bradley, who ran All American Screen Printing for 20 years before handing over the reins. But Brooke’s story doesn’t end there. She stayed on as a production manager, and now brings a unique perspective on what life looks like after ownership.
Brooke opens up about burnout, identity, working with your spouse, rebuilding after loss, and navigating the fine line between letting go and staying involved. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What if I just sold my shop?”...this one’s for you.
FROM OWNER TO EMPLOYEE: BROOKE’S JOURNEY
Brooke bought her shop on a whim, sight unseen. Twenty years later, she made the decision to sell. Her story reflects what many printers feel but rarely say out loud—how much the business becomes part of your identity, and how hard it is to know when it's time to walk away.
She didn’t leave the industry though. Brooke stayed on in a hands-on role, managing production and helping keep quality high. The shift has been liberating, but not without its challenges—especially when letting go of full control.
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WHEN THE BUSINESS BECOMES YOUR LIFE
Brooke reflects on the early years—raising kids while running a shop, hiring their first employee, and dealing with misprints and mistakes. She shares stories of massive orders, broken screens, and the messy but beautiful reality of shop ownership. One theme repeats: the weight of responsibility.
From family sacrifices to sleepless nights fixing art files, Brooke kept going until it was clear she couldn’t give the shop what it needed. She nearly closed, but instead got a surprise email from a long-time client asking if she’d consider selling. The rest, as they say, is history.
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VALUING YOUR BUSINESS (AND YOURSELF)
One of the most insightful takeaways from Brooke’s story is her honesty about underpricing the sale. She admits she picked a number based on emotion—not a true valuation. Her advice? Know your worth, and get a proper business appraisal even if it feels daunting.
Also? Document everything. From SOPs to customer files to equipment lists, your business is worth more when it can run without you.
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STILL IN IT FOR THE LOVE
Despite no longer being the owner, Brooke’s passion hasn’t faded. She still treats every shirt that goes out as a reflection of her name. But now, she gets to clock out. No payroll stress. No late-night invoicing. Just the joy of keeping things running smoothly—and maybe riding the custom conveyor belt her dad helped install years ago.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- You don’t need to own a shop to love this industry.
- Selling your business takes guts and planning. Get a valuation, document SOPs, and know your numbers.
- Burnout is real, and recognizing it is a strength.
- The grass isn’t always greener, but a fresh perspective can change everything.
- Your legacy is more than your logo. It’s how you impact the people around you.