Designing her own future one T-shirt at a time

By Jennifer Palmberg
The Collegian

Owning a business and being your own boss is the American dream, but not many people have a chance to live that dream, especially right out of college.

Lisa Takao and her sister Emily decided they wanted to start their own design business that could be compared to designer name brands and be more affordable.

After graduating from Fresno State in May, 2004 with a degree in graphic design, Takao decided to start her own business. She began designing T-shirt prints and her new company’s Web site, www.takaodesign.com, all by herself.

“Starting my own design business was a recurring thought I had all through college,” Takao said. “I wanted to design something that people ages 18-24 could wear without having to turn to brand name clothing.”

Takao started off making screen printed T-shirts and now her business designs shirts, tank-tops and jeans.

The underground fashion network they associate themselves with is known as DIY or Do It Yourselfers. It’s an indie, or independent, line of trendsetters trying to rise up in a world dominated by name brands and department stores.

Takao’s sister Emily, who is a Fresno State student in the communications department, helped her research online to locate the network and organize the beginning of the business.

“Together we went out and researched the field and found numerous other independent designers,” Takao said. “We organize with them to put together bazaars and other events where we can sell our merchandise and advertise our businesses.”

These bazaars feature jewelry, stationeries, shoes, shirts, jeans and more all designed by independent designers. Takao has arranged to bring one of these bazaars to Fresno in mid-December.

In the meantime, her merchandise is available on her Web site.

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