Dreams United – Susan Garson, Founder
- How did Dreams United first get started? What was the inspiration behind it?
Susan Garson, Dreams United Founder, in Fiji.
The business started out as a little offshoot based on the experiences I had working with 30 kids in an orphanage in Fiji off and on for a couple of years. After several overseas visits, Jared (my 15-year-old son) and I made stockings for the orphaned kids and hand delivered them just prior to Christmas. Mitchel (my 17-year-old son) and I started sending “Birthday Boxes” to each child during their respective birthday months. Mitchel drew a special picture for each box, and I wanted to make something special too. As a result, I taught myself how to tie-dye and the rest is history.
Since then, I have perfected the art and have gotten my own technique and style down. Soon, people began offering to buy my work. I love creating in tie-dye, and I decided I wanted to open a business doing just that. My 22-year nursing career, while inspiring and impactful, was very stressful, and I needed more of a life-career balance. I still do Registered Nurse and Legal Nurse Consulting on the side, but now I have the best of both worlds.
Life got even better when I met Craig last year. I was a single mom for 12 years, and I had been calling the tie-dye business “Color My World.” But with Craig on my team, loving my sons as if they were his own too, he jumped into the business with both feet. He researched the best techniques, bought a press to put transfers on my shirts and we began creating together. We decided to call our combined efforts “Dreams United.”
Dreams United solar eclipse shirts, front and back.
My sons are helping with the business too. It’s all happening in our living room and garage. I cannot think of any career or coworkers I would rather have.
- How to buy from Dreams United:
Our shop will open for shirt viewing and purchases on July 3rd. Hours are 10:00am to 1:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm, Monday – Saturday. We accept cash and card. (Keep in mind that Dreams United will be closed August 18-23 for the Solar Eclipse). Reserve ahead and we’ll have everything ready for you to create your own Tie-Dye shirt too. We do charge for this activity, but it’s so worth it, and bring the kids. We can even put the Solar Eclipse transfers on the shirt(s) you make.
Shadow Box tie-dye design.
To schedule a viewing outside of open shop times, contact Susan and Craig at: dreamsunited.originals@gmail.com.
We are anxiously awaiting our website to launch, which is quickly approaching. DREAMSUNITED.US will be up and running by mid-July. In person, we offer retail and wholesale purchasing options for both individuals and businesses.
I am working with Made in Oregon and other stores so the business is growing very quickly. We have designed and are printing our own eclipse-themed design on our tie-dye shirts. Ours are all one of a kind because I don’t follow a mold. We are expecting to sell out when the thousands of people are in the area for the eclipse.
Our quality is top notch, which is something we really stand behind. We do tie-dye on black, called “Shadow Box.” That took me two years to create and perfect. We have both kinds available in the Solar Eclipse design.
- What is something, a saying or quote that you live by, and how has that impacted your business?
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Ghandi
Craig and Susan, founders of Dreams United.
It’s the quote I live by. As a reminder to me and to others, the quote is on every personal email I send out. I’m the Secretary General of orphanages in both Fiji and Uganda, Africa, and I take mission trips to Fiji and always go with many donations. I have never been to Africa. One of my goals is to get to Africa and to have a fundraiser to bring food and clean water and to present my gifts in person. As for my own community, a key part of our business mission is to donate one shirt to a person in need for every shirt sold. So far, we have donated more than we have sold.
- What are your goals for Chamber membership?
I really want to be more active in my own community and meet new business professionals. I am very goal oriented so the Chamber setting is perfect.
- What do you wish other people knew about Dreams United?
Our biggest joys are seeing people wear our art and working as a family to create it.
Please contact Susan and Craig for more information about eclipse t-shirt pricing.