Best advise I can give is to really learn the technical side of printing. How emulsions work differently, their properties, the way they react to humidity, the light wavelengths needed to form cross links, the wavelength output of different light sources and bulbs etc. if you want to become the best, you have to fully understand every aspect of the print process. How colours work, ways to separate, how different combinations of mesh tensions and squeegees affect prints, how each coloured ink acts when laid down. Learn the mechanical process of how ink is laid down - you are actually pushing thousands of mini cylinders of ink through a mesh of containers and shearing them off. Learn how your presses work, the electrics and the pneumatics and the mechanics.
Once you understand all of this, you will be a complete printer and be able to play your part in the development of your company or even the industry. You indicated that this is all you want to do, so you may as well become an expert.
Once you understand everything, you will be able to print better or train people up better, whichever you choose - but it gives you a choice.
Someone who can train novices to be great printers would be a well paid asset in any company, so you don't have to go out on your own in order to get paid well. You just need to be able to prove your worth. If you decide to plateau out on your knowledge, then of course you can't expect the best wage, in which case maybe go and print for your self. But there is something to be said for working for an organisation that has huge resources, which a start up certainly does not have.
So perhaps go and buy 4 brand new identical, but different durometer squeegees of the same length. Also grab one old and used one of the same length and style. Start to play around with them and understand how each one works on your press you have with 1 screen - how the shirt print changes with durometer, how the ink laydown is different, how an old and new squeegee of the same durometer feel and act. Once you do that, you just became a squeegee durometer expert! If you have an issue at work, maybe you will now be able to suggest a different durometer squeegee to solve the problem or vastly improve the quality of a print.
Now do the same for everything.
You should be stoked you found something you love. Get great at it - most people work a job just to live. May as well love your job and live every hour of your days.
My old man told me that I could do whatever I wanted in life, just try to excel. If you want to be a road sweeper, be the best one. If you want to be a brain surgeon, be the best.
He was a doctor and developed some amazing drugs and techniques, but I still caught him learning about brooms one day when I saw him in deep conversation with a road sweeper. Goes to show that nothing should ever be beneath you and you always have something to learn.
There's something to be said for a regular guaranteed salary and paid holiday against the unknown of whether you will be able to pay your bills and rent each month. Employment is not all bad. I've worked for myself all my life (first business at age 10), but I also see all my friends living their lives, having families and going on holidays. For me, self emploent is the right thing though - I was prepared to give up an easy life for the freedom to live life the way I feel I need to.
Hope this inspires you to be the best you can be, whichever route you choose.
