Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa McAlarnen.
Hi Melissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started Shore to Please Designs around 2012, originally creating handmade baby items for new moms… headbands, tutus, baby outfits, and personalized gifts. What began as a creative outlet quickly grew into a busy Etsy shop, eventually expanding into apparel like t-shirts and tank tops. At the time, I was running the business part-time while also working a full-time job.
After having my second child, life became incredibly busy, and I made the decision to step away from Shore to Please Designs completely. I truly believed that chapter of my life was over and never imagined I would return to it.
Fast forward several years later, my kids became heavily involved in youth sports, and I found myself wanting apparel that felt more stylish, creative, and personalized. I decided to dust off my printer and start creating designs for myself “just for fun.” Before long, friends, teammates, and other parents began asking for custom items too, even though I had sworn I wouldn’t start selling again.
What started as a small hobby quickly snowballed. Within a year and a half, orders were consistently growing, and Shore to Please Designs became busier than I ever anticipated. Then, in 2023, my full-time career took an unexpected turn, forcing me to really evaluate what I wanted for my future.
As scary as it felt, I asked myself an important question: If not now, when? I was already busy enough with orders, and deep down, I knew I owed it to myself to see if I could truly turn Shore to Please Designs into a full-time business.
So, I took the leap, headfirst, and I haven’t looked back since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not, but entrepreneurship rarely is.
There have been plenty of moments filled with second guessing: questioning myself, my pricing, the long nights, the weekends spent working, and the constant pressure that comes with being a small business owner. It’s easy at times to wonder if you’re making the right decisions or if all the hard work is worth it.
But at the end of the day, this business is mine. Every success feels incredibly rewarding because I built it, and every setback becomes a lesson that helps me grow stronger, smarter, and more confident moving forward.
Entrepreneurship isn’t always easy, but the freedom to create something of your own and watch it evolve makes every challenge worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Shore to Please Designs is an online apparel business creating custom designs for everyday wear and business branding. I design, print, press, and sell apparel that people wear to represent their town, their teams, their events, and their memories. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a passion-driven business rooted in supporting small businesses and building meaningful community connections.
I specialize in creating custom and one of kind designs for apparel and gifts that go the extra mile. Since I create all the designs myself, you know you are getting my attention to detail on each and every order. No factory-made or mass-produced items make each piece unique.
What I’m most proud of and what I believe truly sets Shore to Please Designs apart is the relationships I’ve built along the way. Relationships became my marketing strategy, and consistency became my growth plan. I’ve always believed that taking the time to genuinely connect with customers matters. Whether I’m working with an individual customer ordering a single shirt or a business placing a large apparel order, I make it a priority to understand exactly what they’re looking for and bring their vision to life.
That one-on-one interaction is something I never want to lose, no matter how much the business grows. I want every customer to feel heard, valued, and excited about the final product they receive.
More than anything, I’m proud of the community that has come from this business. The loyal customers, the fellow small business owners, and the relationships that have grown far beyond just transactions. Those connections have been the most rewarding part of this journey.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Leaving my previous full-time job was never part of some grand plan or carefully mapped-out business strategy. In many ways, Shore to Please Designs found me again when I least expected it. What initially felt uncertain and stressful ended up opening the door to something that aligned far more with who I am and the life I wanted to build.
For that, I consider myself incredibly lucky. Sometimes the moments that feel like setbacks are actually pushing us toward something bigger than we imagined for ourselves. Looking back now, I can honestly say that what felt like a difficult ending was really the beginning of everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shoretopleasedesigns.com
- Instagram: @shoretopleasedesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShoretoPleaseDesigns
- Other: TikTok: @shoretopleasedesigns
