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Rob Briggs never had any aspirations of becoming a screen printer. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Exeter resident was working as a welder at the submarine-maker Electric Boat and playing stand-up bass for a country music band on weekends. Briggs stayed on at EB, but the music gigs stopped. When venues started to re-open in early 2021, Briggs decided to buy a small printer to make shirts to sell at his band’s live shows. Fans bought the shirts, and at that point, Briggs started toying with the idea of quitting his welding job and screen-printing T-shirts on a full-time basis.
“When you’re welding, you got the hood down,” Briggs said. “You’re staring at the bead. It gets boring very quick. I just really, really started pushing towards trying to find a way out. You know, I always wanted to work for myself. My dad works for himself. You look up to people that can do that. It’s a lot of work, obviously. It’s a dream to be your own boss. It’s just something I always wanted to do.”
So Briggs started Dark Hollow Screen Printing. He spent $5,000 to buy a commercial printer and renovated his basement to make room for his squeegees, ink buckets, and a press. Briggs wasn’t exactly sure how to build a steady clientele, but he was confident he could get his business o the ground. He knew a few landscapers and musicians that wanted T-shirts, and he was hoping word of mouth would help him attract new clients over time. Briggs says those first couple of months were di cult financially, but he was determined not to return to Electric Boat. Like many people, Briggs saw the disruptions brought about by the pandemic as an opportunity to leave a less fulfilling job and try something entrepreneurial.
“Honestly, it was super motivation,” Briggs said. “I’m going to succeed so I don’t have to go back. You know, there were times when I’m like, ‘If I had to get a part-time job
Exeter man sees challenges and rewards to launching a business during the pandemic
By Joe Tasca
to keep this, (I will).’ You know, because I’m just starting out. Like I said, I didn’t have the customers. I just went in for it. When I’m on the press, I’m helping out bands, I’m helping out friends, I’m helping out companies. I’m literally living the dream.”
While Briggs has been able to cover his mortgage payments and business expenses for the past year and a half, the road to living the dream isn’t easy. Briggs cares for his daughter, Kinsley, during the day while his wife Shelby is at work. He prints his shirts at night. It makes for a long day, especially for someone who’s used to going to sleep early. On top of that, Briggs says running his own business has been a crash course in self-reliance.
“Big companies, most companies, they got somebody in the o ce,” Briggs said. “You got a computer guy. You got a salesperson. I’m everybody, and I’ve never done any of that stu . I mean, I’ve always just done blue-collar work. It’s super, super stressful. But I don’t think it’s any more stressful than waking up and dreading that 9 to 5.”
Briggs says he’s been pleasantly surprised with the success of his screen printing business so far. He made about $38,000 in gross income in 2021 and he’s expecting to make even more this year. He’s got about 30 regular clients and a growing list of firsttime orders. But Briggs is also up against the same challenges as other business owners. Supply chain issues have caused some orders to be delayed, and the rising cost of screen-printing equipment has forced him to make some minor price hikes.
“It’s still kind of tough, especially with the inks,” Briggs said. “I mean, you’re talking some gallons of ink that I paid $40 for is now almost a hundred bucks. I mean, that’s just the inks, the T-shirts, everything. I have to make up for that.”
Despite the many obstacles, Briggs says he’s committed to the screen printing business. He says eventually, he may hire someone to work with him and buy another press. Admittedly, he hasn’t thought that far ahead. No matter what the future holds, Briggs says he’s proud of what he’s accomplished so far.
This story was originally posted on August 23, 2022. Joe Tasca can be reached at JTasca@ripr.org Photo courtesy of Dark Hollow Screen Printing
