Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Pietri-Ayala.
Hi Iris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Over five years ago, I never imagined I would be writing or running a small business while also working full-time in the education field, balancing my career with running a growing business.
Creativity has always been a part of who I am from scrapbooking to repurposing furniture and so much more. However, it was my daughter who truly inspired me to take that creativity to the next level. With her encouragement and support, I turned my passion into something tangible: Iris Enid Custom Studio, LLC.
My journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. What started as helping my daughter make masks quickly turned into an overwhelming demand for personalized masks. Together, we sewed and sold over 7,000 masks through social media, and that experience planted the seed for something much bigger.
While still fulfilling mask orders, I continued learning and expanding, thanks in large part to platforms like TikTok and explored new avenues such as sublimation, vinyl, stickers, and embroidery. I began creating personalized tumblers, hoodies, t-shirts, and embroidered items such as towels, clothing, and hats, always focusing on meaningful, custom pieces for special moments. During this growth, I also began designing logos and creating branded apparel for several small businesses in the local area.
Three years ago, I made a major investment that elevated my business to the next level: Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing. My goal was not only to continue offering custom apparel for memorials, birthdays, graduations, and family events, but also to support other creators. Today, I proudly provide DTF and sublimation prints to 10 small businesses, helping them produce quality products and grow their own brands. During large orders, my teenage son works alongside me, assisting with picking up supplies and packaging orders as needed.
What started as a local passion has grown far beyond what I ever imagined. I have shipped products to over 25 states, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, and have also shipped internationally to the United Kingdom and Canada.
This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of my family, friends, and customers. Their belief in me and my work means everything and continues to motivate me to grow, learn, and create every day.
Services offered include:
DTF & sublimation printing, stickers, personalized tumblers (sublimation & engraving), embroidery, custom hoodies and shirts, logo design, and more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been a smooth road. While people often see the finished products and social media posts, there are countless long hours behind the scenes that go unseen. Balancing a full-time career, running a small business, and being a mom has required many sacrifices late nights, early mornings, and time taken away from rest, family moments, and personal time to meet deadlines and serve my customers.
There have also been challenges in learning new skills, making large financial investments, and navigating the ups and downs that come with being a small business owner. However, every obstacle has pushed me to grow, adapt, and become stronger. Those challenges have shaped not only my business, but me as a mother and entrepreneur and they continue to remind me why this journey is worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Iris Enid Custom Studio, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Iris Enid Custom Studio, LLC is a custom apparel and merchandise business.
What sets my business apart is the care and attention behind every order. I work closely with customers to bring their ideas to life and ensure each piece is high-quality and personal. I also support other entrepreneurs by providing DTF and sublimation prints to 10 small businesses, helping them grow their own brands.
I am most proud of the trust I’ve built with my customers and the reach of my work from serving local businesses to shipping to over 25 states, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico, as well as internationally to Canada and the United Kingdom. Iris Enid Custom Studio is more than a brand; it’s a reflection of passion, consistency, and community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has played a role in my journey, but not in the way most people might think. There were moments of both good and bad luck, especially when it came to investing in equipment. I went through multiple DTF printers before finding one that truly met my quality and production needs. Those experiences were frustrating, costly, and time consuming, but they taught me patience, research, and resilience.
What may look like luck from the outside was really perseverance learning what didn’t work, making adjustments, and refusing to settle for less than the quality my customers deserve. In the end, those challenges helped me build a stronger, more reliable business and reinforced the importance of trusting the process.
Pricing:
- Prices vary based on design, size, quantity, and customization requested.
Contact Info:
