The story of Tumbleweed TexStyles begins seven years ago with two teachers at Liberty High School in Frisco, and a modest $700 investment.
Jeb Matulich, an Art teacher, and Brian Wysong, at the time, an Independent Study and Mentorship and Marketing/Entrepreneurship teacher, found inspiration in Jeb’s cool, Texana-style artwork. The two friends and colleagues saw an opportunity to combine their talents and make a difference in the community.
After a few months of planning, they pooled together $700 and bought the first run of 120 t-shirts, a single-color “Texas Secede” design. After only a few weeks they had recouped the initial investment and ordered more tees in a different design.
Rinse and repeat until eventually they were printing thousands of tees each month and had a large warehouse at the screen printer’s shop dedicated to Tumbleweed TexStyles (TWT) inventory.
Designing TexStyle
The influence for their “TexStyle” comes from their personal connections to Texas and its history. From the places the team travels, the food they eat, the drinks they drink, the music they listen to or the adventures they experience…you can feel Texas culture in the unique designs.
All of TWT’s designs are created by Jeb, along with fellow Liberty High School Art Teacher, Fred Rodriguez, and in-house designers, which including Brian’s wife, Hillary Wysong. Tumbleweed TexStyles will only produce designs that they’re proud to see worn.
Local Pride
Jeb is a native Texan, having grown up in the Texas Hill Country town of New Braunfels. Brian grew up in a military family that moved to Fort Worth, Texas when he was a small child. Wysong shared,
We started Tumbleweed TexStyles because we felt at the time that there really weren’t any Texas pride brands that were combining unique designs and comfortable garments. We set out to change all that. We take pride in the fact that we were one of the first “stylish” Texas-inspired graphic t-shirt brands.
Jeb and Brian believe that their number one priority above selling shirts is to support their local community. In 2017, Tumbleweed TexStyles donated a total value of $50,200 between the Frisco Education Foundation, Frisco Arts, Hurricane Harvey Relief and other organizations at many local events around town.
Drawing on their roots in education, the duo donates a percentage of every sale to the Frisco Education Foundation. In the last three years, these donations have helped provide a scholarship to seven Frisco ISD students. Wysong adds,
To us, the most rewarding part of Tumbleweed TexStyles is developing relationships and having the opportunity to help people. We’re huge advocates for people, education and the arts.
Taking it Beyond Frisco
Maybe it’s their Texas roots, Frisco pride, and authenticity that’s behind the brand’s organic popularity. But beyond our local borders, the list of celebrities, local influencers and media exposure who’ve shown love to Tumbleweed TexStyles is impressive. Pat Green, Cole Beasley, Josh Abbott, Aaron Watson, Lee Ann Womack, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Aaron Franklin, George P. Bush, Colleen Coyle, Corby Davidson, Roger Clemens, Scott Hoying from Pentatonix, and Tamron Hall are just a few examples.
Tumbleweed TexStyles has been featured or seen on MSNBC, Parade Magazine, KERA, Good Morning Texas, NBC, ABC, Texas Monthly Magazine, Texas Highways Magazine, Dallas Morning News, WFAA, Late Night with Seth Meyers and other local and national media and publications.
New and Shiny Additions Ahead
Frisco customers and visitors will soon be able to shop the TWT Flagship Store that will carry all of the signature designs, seasonal collections, and exclusive products. The store will be located at Main and South County Road in the highly anticipated Patios at The Rail, coming soon from Nack Development.
We look forward to not only selling our current most popular designs, but to also offer new product offerings exclusive to our “Flagship” location. We’re super excited about this opportunity because it will provide us a place where we can have a direct connection with our local customers.
Although the brand is best known for their quality, soft style, blended shirts, the biz has expanded to include stickers, koozies, and home decor.
One of their newer products that have proven highly popular is the glassware collection. Re-launched in the spring of 2018, the line includes multiple pint glasses, stemless wine glasses, rocks glasses, and 64 oz growlers donning the iconic TWT designs.
The Fall Collection designs launched on August 10, 2018. Met with quick popularity among customers, these designs will no doubt continue to set trends with creative cultural references featuring cactus, jackalope and tailgating vibes.
It’s a moving story to think of full-time educators working to build a side business based on the love and history of the great state of Texas. From that first run of 120 shirts, Jeb and Brian have come a long way. Last year Tumbleweed TexStyles sold just under 100,000 products and shipped shirts to 512 Texas towns, to all 50 states, and to 12 countries.
You can get your hands on your favorite new Tumbleweed TexStyles t-shirt on their website, at one of the 180 retailers currently selling the Texas-inspired flare or locally, you’ll find their products at the Frisco Mercantile on Preston Road.
Look for Tumbleweed TexStyles selling at community events like Frisco Arts Walk and Run, Frisco Merry Main Street, Frisco Square’s Arts in the Square, North Texas Beer Week, Frisco StrEATS, and Grapefest in Grapevine.