Mokena Mom's Inspirational Messages Fit to a T

A local mom frustrated with a lack of age-appropriate shirts for her then-6-year-old daughter decided to do more than just bemoan fashion designers.

She became one.

In the summer of 2013, Mokena resident Rachel McCurdy couldn’t find a graphic t-shirt for her daughter that wasn’t “rude or crude.” And she wasn’t about to let her daughter wear one that spread a negative message. McCurdy tried her hand at making her own. It all started with one—a simple play on the word “beautiful,” as be”YOU”tiful—and has grown into sales of more than 100,000 t-shirts. Her business The Talking Shirt has filled their home to the point of the family moving their furniture into storage to fit their inventory.

“My goal is to spread positivity through apparel. When you wear a graphic tee you are like a walking billboard,” McCurdy said. “Why not use your ’billboard’ to spread positivity and encouragement?”

McCurdy will open The Talking Shirt boutique in Mokena in August, aiming for a date of August 8. Her designs of inspirational t-shirts include mantras such as “Choose Happy,” She believed she could, so she did,” and “Where there is goodness, there is magic.”

Her ideas come to creation with the help of her husband of 12 years Brandon, who is also pastor of Mokena Baptist Church. She comes up with the sayings, he designs them.

Instead of dwelling on the negativity that surrounds us, we can focus on the positive. I want my girls to know that while, yes, bad things happen to good people every day, it is important to look at the big picture and know that sometimes happiness is simply a choice.

—Rachel McCurdy, The Talking Shirt blog

McCurdy said the positive nature of the t-shirts has led to sales greater than she imagined, and that she attributes it to people seeking positivity in their lives.

“It’s difficult to be rude to someone when you’re wearing a t-shirt that says, ‘Kindness is Always In Style,” which is her company’s tagline, McCurdy said.

Prior to The Talking Shirt, she dabbled in other craft-related businesses.

“I have always done a little bit of this and a little bit of that to help with the family’s finances,” she said. “Everything from handmade baby items to hairbows. You name it, I tried it.”

Her daughters—now ages 4 and 8—have inspired her to expand The Talking Shirt to the storefront at 19805 S. LaGrange Rd.

“They are the lights of my life! I hope my girls see that hard work and determination will take you a long way in life,” she said. “I hope my girlies capture the meaning behind our company, which is to be kind. They are two easygoing lovable little chicks and I couldn’t do what I do if it weren’t for the support of my beautiful family!”

• Check out the latest designs on The Talking Shirt website
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