At-home Embroidery Business Finds Niche in Industry

MKM Custom Designs of Pasco County

Takiyah Scott, owner of MKM Custom Designs, values branding and team unity within a business. She believes it’s important to let everyone know what organization or company you are representing.

This led her to create MKM Custom Designs, based in Wesley Chapel, in 2020. The company provides heat transfer vinyl, embroidery, and screen printing for organizational apparel.

Shortly after launching her business, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain issues.

“I wasn’t able to get a lot of the supplies, such as shirts, T-shirts, hoodies, that were maybe shipped from overseas, here,” she said. “The supply was really low.”

This led Scott to seek a stronger foundation for future success. Knowing she needed assistance growing the business, in late 2021 Scott found the Florida SBDC at University of South Florida and business consultant Christine Jaros.

“I started working with Christine, and she was beyond phenomenal,” Scott said. “She helped me with figuring out my expense ratios. She helped me figure out my niche. She helped me figure out my customer.”

The guidance provided by her Florida SBDC at USF consultant allowed Scott to elevate her business from a hobby to a professional entity.

“Christine helped me figure out my target market. We started with doing a baby boutique, and now we’re doing more so of the branded apparel.”

Scott’s next goal in her business is to become certified as a woman-owned, minority-owned business. She plans to utilize the Florida SBDC at USF to do so and encourages other small business owners to work alongside the organization too.

“Definitely reach out,” she said. “Look for those resources. Work with the SBDC to help you grow your business and just start your business.”