Small Business Showcase: Nora’s Pawsome Tees

Here’s the latest from Coal Region Canary’s Small Business Showcase!

In this ongoing series, we celebrate the heart and soul of our community—the local businesses that imbue our region with unique charm and vitality.

As we share the stories of these dedicated entrepreneurs, we’ll highlight their exclusive products and services that contribute to our local economy’s vibrancy.

Join us in supporting these key pillars of our community and discover the passion and creativity that make our area truly special.

Together, let’s champion the businesses that are the backbone of our regional identity!

Today, we’re learning more about Nora’s Pawsome Tees.

Business Name	Nora’s Pawsome Tees
Business Owner	Jen Gavalis
Contact Information	Email: noraspawsometees@gmail.com
Location	Online business based in Minersville, PA, 17954, US
Website	noraspawsometees.com
Facebook	Nora’s Pawsome Tees
Instagram	noraspawsometees
TikTok	Nora’s Pawsome Tees
Hours of Operation	Online 24/7
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks, contactless payments, online payments (e.g., PayPal, Stripe)
Description of Products and Services	Graphic Design Services & retail of products featuring my illustrations and designs
Year Established	2024

Q&A with Jen Gavalis, owner of Nora’s Pawsome Tees

Learn more about Nora’s Pawsome Tees …

What inspired you to start this business, and how did your personal journey lead you here?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design and have worked in offset printing, screen printing, sign making, large format printing and corporate design.

The production side of the business has held as much interest to me as the design side since I was in high school graphic design class and was taught how to use a printing press.

Print and graphic design jobs are rapidly disappearing due to the availability of affordable, user-friendly design software, digital formats and AI. The job market is really tough for designers right now. I needed a job and knew I would be unhappy doing anything else, so I made my own job.

I have been having fun designing things based on what I think works, not a customer, boss or professor, and that’s a rare feeling in this industry! I haven’t been able to choose what I am designing since I was in college, and I graduated 24 years ago!

There is a real sense of freedom and great joy that comes with this. In addition to designing for retail products, I’ve taken on a few design clients and I am working on some logo projects and custom T-shirt design projects.

What unique products or services do you offer that can’t be found elsewhere in our community?

As an experienced designer I can offer products that set me apart from other small businesses making shirts, glasses and stickers.

While I respect these other businesses and their products, many of them are using artwork that is being sold for commercial use.

And while there is nothing wrong with that, my products are different from those in that they are only sold here. My products are made with professionally printed full color graphics, which are not commonly used in custom products.

Full color decals for shirts and glassware are typically mass produced and sold wholesale to businesses for use in making their items.

I am offering some Skook products that have feminine designs. The few Skook themed items I have seen in the past have felt very masculine.

How does your business contribute to the local community or participate in community events?

I volunteer my design services to local theater and drama clubs.

This year I volunteered with Minersville’s Drama Club production of Anastasia by designing ads for the Playbill. I also volunteered for Minersville High School’s Alumni production “Encore!” Celebrating 50 years of musicals on the high school’s stage.

As I am Minersville Drama Club Alumni, I volunteered the design of the Encore! logo, T-shirt & tote bag design, banner design & Playbill cover.

I will be at four Pottsville Outdoor Markets from July-October and I just signed up to be a vendor at Parolee Pawlooza in September to support DAWGS prison program. That’s where we adopted the face of the company, Nora.

Can you share an interesting fact or story about your business that most people may not know?

I am an introvert and have severe anxiety. My friends and family kept telling me my designs would be so popular if I could just make people aware of them somehow.

Despite my business plan originally being strictly online, I forced myself to take samples of two of my designs into local shops to see if they were interested in selling them. I was so nervous! I thought MAYBE I would sell 20 shirts that day, which would be more than I had sold to that point.

By the time I drove from Pottsville to Orwigsburg, one boutique had posted a photo to social media to take pre-orders and had already sold 10 of them! There were 125 sold in the first 24 hours just at that boutique! I was floored by the response.

I was still filled with nervous energy from going out of my comfort zone in that way when the orders started coming in, I don’t think it fully hit me until the next evening what was happening.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a small business, and how did you overcome it?

In the beginning I was outsourcing the production using direct-to-garment printing through an online platform. Some of the items were sent looking amazing while others were delivered with such disappointing results.

When I would contact the company about issues, they took no responsibility. They didn’t offer new products, refunds or anything, and it was happening repeatedly.

When I finished the Red, White and Skook design, I knew I needed to explore other options and did a ton of research. I bought a heat press and had some test prints made and haven’t looked back since!

With producing the shirts myself, I have more control over the quality, price and turnaround time, which allowed me to offer wholesale orders and for my products into boutiques.

What do you want customers to experience when they interact with your business?

I want my customers to feel they are purchasing from someone who cares about the quality of the product they are buying and that their design work is being done by someone experienced who understands how the end result will look on a real product.

I want them to know that what they are purchasing from me has been well thought out and planned to have a look and feel that sets my business apart.

And most importantly, I want them to know how grateful I am for their patronage and support as it allows me to have my dream job.

What are your future plans or dreams for your business? Are there any upcoming projects or expansions you’re excited about?

I have so many ideas I am going to be working on including a Fall Shirt featuring the same characters as Red, White and Skook and maybe some new characters, too … a Christmas design that I am so excited to work on and it will include the ultimate Skook holiday beverage, a Halupki design that I want to put on aprons.

I have some wine totes that will be launched in the next few weeks and more glassware designs coming soon. I will be adding wine glasses and mugs as well.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own business in our community?

Step outside of your comfort zone despite how nervous it makes you. It may not go great the first time, but with practice you can get comfortable and it will go better.

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