Community Highlights: Meet Joshua Lawson of Southern Livin’ Outfitters

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joshua Lawson.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I moved from Biloxi, Mississippi to the Great Smoky Mountains in 2011, after graduating National Guard Academy. I found a job in a t-shirt store right in the heart of a tourist town – Gatlinburg, TN.

It was a great opportunity not only to make a living but also to meet different people from all over the states. A few years later, I met my wife, Alina, she was working right next door to me taking old-time photos. Alina is a very artistic person, so I thought she might like drawing henna tattoos, which was very popular at that time.

We got a spot in another store and that’s how we started our henna tattoos business. Over the years of working long 14-hour shifts and barely taking any days off, we have been saving our income. 4 years ago, I decided to leave the t-shirt shop I was working at and open my t-shirt store in Great Smokies Flea Market, TN.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I opened my store in the middle of 2019. And the next year the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and all the businesses had to shut down for a few months.

It was very challenging for a small business that just started operating, but we got through it. Being in a touristy area helps tremendously with running a business even in hard times like the pandemic.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We offer a huge variety of licensed brand name t-shirts for everyone, such as – Girlie Girl Originals, Southern Attitude, Buckwear, Jeep, Muscle cars, and classic American-made car t-shirts, the biggest selection in the state for authentic rock n roll merchandise, and many more!

We proudly carry all the great quality trendy t-shirts that you will fall in love with.

What matters most to you?
All t-shirts are not created equal.

It is very important for us, that we only carry the best quality T-shirts that are going to last for many years. Our customers are happy with our product and they keep coming back for more – this is what matters for us.

Contact Info:

• Website: Southernlivindesigns.com
• Instagram: @Southernlivinshop