Rising Stars: Meet Jason Bradford

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Bradford.

Hi Jason, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started printing in my senior year of high school in 1999. I wanted to get into design work and was told about a position at a screen printing company. After being mostly self-taught and a lot of trial and error with different techniques, I learned to become a proficient printer, but I wanted to do the design work. So I moved on to another print company in town and became a full-time artist. After designing several shirts and promotional items for schools, churches, and businesses, I had the opportunity to work for a horse magazine out of Shelbyville, TN. There is where I learned to produce art very quickly due to tight deadlines.

After only a year, I was asked to come back to my previous employer at the screen printing company and found designing art for t-shirts was more fun than what I was doing at the magazine. I enjoyed being able to talk to the customers and give them exactly what they wanted for their event. By this time, I got married to my college sweetheart and started to have kids. After learning what I felt was the most I could learn from all the aspects of running a screen printing company, like designing, talking to customers, printing, and selling, I felt running a screen printing business could be something I could do.

So in 2009 height of a recession with a stay-at-home wife, a three-year-old, and one more on the way, I quit my job and bought a used press off the marketplace, and started hustling. Selling to school organizations my kids were in and other companies around town, we built the company up to a self-sustaining business.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When Covid hit, and everyone was told to stay home, we took a very large hit to our company but pivoted very quickly. We began doing community base t-shirt designs, and my wife made jams, jellies, and treats that we sold at community markets.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We like to say we are a full-service design studio at your fingertips. We specialize in screen-printed apparel and like to say, “If you can put your name on it, we can get it done.” From designing t-shirts to magazines, promotional products, tents, banners, or business cards. We are known for our great customer service and artwork.

We are usually pretty quick as well. I love being my own boss and being able to hang out with my kids at any one of their numerous activities. My wife and I have three children, ages 15, 12, and 9. We try to teach them as much about business as we can. We truly are a family based business. My wife does the invoicing, oldest cleans screens, middle child folds, and the youngest sweeps. We want to make sure our customers receive the best service and quality around.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I think I was a quiet kid growing up. I was really into art and knew that all I wanted to do was be a graphic designer from a young age. I had a small group of friends and didn’t really come out of my shell until I got to college. I became involved in the MTSU catholic student center as a Co-Director.

Here is where I met most of my still closest friends. A few of us got involved in rock climbing, and being outdoors became my favorite pastime. I now try to instill that into my kids. We try to hike and camp and just be outdoors as much as possible.

Contact Info:

• Website:Bradfordsdesign.com
• Instagram: @Bradfords.design
• Facebook: @Bradfords.Design