Hobby- Cheer shirts and bows

My daughter does competitive cheer, all bling, pure glitter.

Just becoming comfortable with the title of "Cheer Mom", have yet to don one of those jackets the other moms wear with all the rhinestones on the back. Think I'm getting close, though…… ugh...

We go to those cheer competitions and I see something that I'm paying out the butt for. (T-shirts, bows - NOT the uniforms. I wouldn't even think of touching something like that.)

Saw the bows at competitions with the fancy texture that has been heat applied. This includes rhinestones and spandex, textured vinyl, etc. T-shirts with simple vinyl lettering, rhinestones, etc.

So I think to myself, "I can make that myself!" What gets me into trouble is how obsessed I become - thus spending more money in order to get all the supplies.

I started make cheer bows. For a HOBBY. For my daughter and her friends. Super simple with 3" grosgrain, or sewing 1.5" together and using heat-n-bond. Self-taught via Youtube. You know, only the best education comes from youtube.

Noticed custom words on those bows for sale, learned that it was likely made with a cricut/silhouette. Hmmmmm

Went and bought a cricut. Returned it without opening it. Bought a silhouette instead, it has software updrage to do rhinestones, plus I like not having to buy all those dumb cartridges when I only need one font.

Sat down in front of the computer, did some research, spent money on vinyl transfers (metallic, regular, textured) and rhinestones. Used Specialty Graphics website. Love them.

I'm starting with SS10 & SS16, sticky flock templates for rhinestones.

Bought a 15" heat transfer. Hobby grade, does pretty OK so far. I've only used it on bows and 50/50 t-shirts. I'm too scared to venture into other materials.

Asked the cheer gym owner who she buys her bows and shirts from - she says some lady who doesn't even have a daughter at the gym. What?? I was shocked there had not been a bow-makin' cheer mom step forward. Challenge: Accepted.

Now I'm obsessed with coming up with clever cheer shirts, fun bows and simple stuff that can be sold at the gym on a small scale. Keeping it FUN and not a huge business.

I'm here on this forum looking for cohorts with common cheer bow/shirt interests and to bounce ideas off each other. Maybe advice and learning experiences.

What's your story? How did you get started in heat transfer? On what scale do you do this - hobby or business? What is your clientele?