When you think of a tech-enabled business, a custom T-shirt print shop might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, for Reid Lyle, the Founder of Fast Yowi Tees, automation and customized software have been the secret sauce to scaling a once-accidental business into a streamlined, high-volume B2B operation.
In this episode of SaaS That App: Building B2B Web Applications, hosts Aaron Marchbanks and Justin Edwards sit down with Reid to unpack the unlikely evolution of Fast Yowi Tees. From slinging novelty motorcycle shirts online to building a robust in-house quoting system that rivals supplier platforms, Reid’s journey is a masterclass in solving real-world problems with smart, tailored tech.
From Accidental Entrepreneur to Apparel Expert
Reid didn’t start out wanting to print T-shirts or even wear them. With a background in advertising and marketing, he was more interested in crafting brand stories than screen-printing slogans. That changed when a side project spiraled into something real.
While developing a web tool for motorcycle dealers, Reid included a mock T-shirt store for demo purposes. The catch? People actually started buying the demo shirts. The accidental eCommerce success turned into a pivot moment.
But selling tees online wasn’t as simple as uploading designs. Reid quickly realized he needed to understand the ins and outs of production. So, like any scrappy founder, he got his hands dirty, literally, by working at a print shop to learn the trade.
Riding the Waves of Marketplace Mayhem
In the early days, Reid leaned on platforms like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay to drive sales. Back in the 2010s, they were manageable channels for small sellers. But the rules of the game changed. Fees crept up. Support vanished. And worst of all, human interaction was replaced with bot-gatekeepers.
“I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to call the United States Postal Service,” Reid jokes, “but calling some of these platforms is worse than that.”
It wasn’t just the economics of third-party marketplaces that pushed Reid to rethink his infrastructure. It was the complexity of the quoting process and the pain points experienced by his team that really lit the fire for change.
Building a Business by Solving Internal Pain Points
Fast Yowi’s bread and butter is B2B screen printing for hospitals, banks, breweries, and bands. With that comes a wide range of quirky, one-off requests and equally complex quoting needs.
The solution? A custom-built software system that automates and simplifies everything from pricing to inventory tracking. “It wasn’t about being fancy. It was about solving real problems for real people.”
Together with his brother, Reid designed an internal management system that consolidated all the disparate supplier APIs into a single, intuitive interface. Customers and employees now see the same information, reducing communication errors and eliminating hours of manual work.
Growth, But Make It Lean
Unlike many founders chasing aggressive scaling goals, Reid’s philosophy is rooted in sustainable growth. Thanks to automation, his team of 15 operates like a crew twice that size. He estimates he would need 3-4 more people if he hadn’t invested in custom tools.
“It’s not just about saving money. It’s about making the staff a little happier. When people aren’t frustrated by clunky systems, they stick around longer.”
Reid views his tech not as a sales tool but as a utility. It doesn’t just drive customer orders; it empowers the employees, reduces training time, and adapts to the volatile supply landscape.
Lessons in Branding, Naming, and Knowing When to Let Go
Of course, no startup journey is without its stumbles. One of Reid’s most important lessons? Navigating the legal minefield of naming and trademarks.
After falling in love with a brand name only to discover trademark conflicts, Reid now advises founders to do the unromantic thing: “Have a solid URL. Hire a trademark attorney. And kill your darlings.”
He’s learned that holding onto something just because it sounds cool can become a costly distraction. The name Fast Yowi Tees may raise eyebrows, but it’s a battle-scarred reminder of hard-won wisdom.
What’s Next for Fast Yowi?
Right now, Reid is in expansion mode, literally. With walls knocked down and new presses en route, his shop is poised to triple its capacity. But he’s not rushing to flood the pipeline just yet. And after that? He’s not dreaming of unicorn valuations or nationwide domination. In true contrarian fashion, Reid’s next move might just be opening a Tastee Freez.
Final Thoughts from Reid
Reid’s story is proof that innovation doesn’t always start in Silicon Valley and tech success doesn’t require hoodies and a VC deck. Sometimes, it begins with a novelty T-shirt, a marketing brain, and the willingness to learn a trade from the ground up.
His approach to business is refreshingly grounded: solve real problems, empower your team, and automate what people hate doing. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t have to be chaotic. With the right systems in place, it can be lean, meaningful, and even a little fun.
Reid’s Background
Reid Lyle is the Founder and Owner of Fast Yowi Tees, a custom screen printing and embroidery business. With a background in advertising and marketing, he transformed his expertise into a successful custom printing operation that serves diverse clients from hospitals and banks to restaurants and breweries. Reid has built a technology-driven business that combines custom software solutions with traditional printing services, streamlining operations and improving customer experience.
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