We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jake Ali a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jake, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I get my resilience from going through moments where quitting felt like the most logical option. I started Custom Tees about four to five years ago as a one man operation in a very small kiosk in the middle of the mall at Kentucky oaks mall. One of the hardest moments came when my lease ended and I was told it wouldn’t be renewed because another company was coming in for a store. That uncertainty hit hard.
I actually stepped away for a month or two after closing down and tried pursuing regular 9-to-5 corporate jobs. But with every interview and every position, I felt incomplete, like I didn’t belong and that I need to bet on myself. That experience showed me that resilience isn’t about never falling; it’s about realizing what you’re meant to do and coming back stronger. Walking away made it clear that this business wasn’t optional for me, it was part of who I am.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m the Owner & Founder of Custom Tees – Same Day Custom T-Shirts. What started four to five years ago as a one-man operation in a small mall kiosk has grown into a brand focused on fast, high-quality custom apparel and real customer connection. We specialize in same-day custom t-shirts and apparel, serving individuals, small businesses, teams, and organizations that value speed, quality, and reliability.
What excites me most about this work is the immediacy and creativity behind it. Every order is different, and every customer comes in with a specific idea or need. Being able to turn those ideas into finished products the same day — while maintaining quality, is what sets us apart. I remain very hands-on in the process, from design to production to customer service, because the details matter.
What I’d like people to know about my brand is that it’s built on consistency, discipline, and trust. This business was built from the ground up, and I’ve stayed committed to improving every part of it, not just growing for the sake of growth, but growing the right way.
Professionally, I’m currently planning an expansion here in Paducah into a significantly larger space. This expansion will include new, high-tech production equipment designed to reduce order processing time by at least 50%, allowing us to serve more customers while maintaining the same level of quality and attention to detail. The focus is on scaling efficiently, improving turnaround times, and continuing to build a strong, dependable local brand
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three most important qualities in my journey have been consistency, self-discipline, and adaptability.
Consistency is the foundation of long-term success. Real results take time, belief, and commitment, and only those who stay consistent long enough get to see how far they can truly go. Self-discipline is what keeps you moving forward when motivation fades, it’s about controlling your habits, focus, and mindset, especially during uncomfortable moments. Adaptability ties it all together by allowing you to evolve with changing markets, technology, and competition, ensuring you stay relevant and competitive over time.
My advice to anyone looking to develop these qualities is simple: believe in yourself and bet on yourself. Trust your instincts. Of course, you should study, do your research, and run the numbers before stepping into any business, but at the end of the day, you also have to trust your gut and have confidence in your own judgment.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. The main lesson I took from it is the idea that clarity, belief, and focus shape the direction of your life. The book emphasizes the Law of Attraction, that what you consistently think about and believe in influences the opportunities you notice and the actions you take.
What stood out to me most was the importance of aligning mindset with action. Belief alone isn’t enough, but when you genuinely believe in your goals, visualize them clearly, and stay focused, it naturally affects how you show up every day. That mindset helped reinforce discipline, consistency, and confidence in my decisions.
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