Managing A Fast Growing Screen Printing Shop (& Family Dynamics) | Barrel Maker Printing

<div>The funniest couple in screen printing, Barrel Maker Printing's Justin and Erin Moore, join us for Printavo's PrintHustlers Podcast (aka "Printavocast," according to Justin and Erin). They've grown a print shop from an operation in a drafty apartment to a modern print-on-demand experience backed by a formidable live printing operating. What does it take to be a close-knit family, raise children, and manage a fast-growing screen printing operation? Here's two people that have made it happen.</div> <div>3:55 How it all began: “I got fired. I got an unemployment check. Instead of paying rent or buying groceries, I bought a press.”</div> <div>WHY BARREL MAKER WORKS: "Every single day I operate as though we're going out of business," explains Justin. He's built a robust website and e-commerce juggernaut to back it up – "I feel like it’s a fine line between doing well and living on the streets homeless." There's one thing that's kept them profitable: a search for someone who understands that the key is keeping product moving out the door. Despite that, hiring people that will stay for the long haul is always a challenge: "So, bigger picture, you have to think about the fact that: maybe in 2 years this person will leave and we’ll need someone else for this role."</div> <div>54:00 Live printing events: What's that like? Why do it?</div> <div>WHAT'S NEXT FOR BARREL MAKER: "I'm of the mindset that if you get something the next day, you're going to be happier," Justin says. Print-on-demand (1:06:30) has become a hot topic in the industry, and they're creating their own model that works with what consumers expect. "There's this whole Amazon culture: people want things quickly."</div> <div>Are they going to grow into something like Custom Ink? Probably not. “Barrel Maker has run on spontaneous, creative energy. It might just die in a board room," Justin says.</div> <div>BALANCING FAMILY AND THE SHOP: "One person’s stress ruins another person’s good time," Erin says. Since Erin runs the how and Justin works on the what, t