Laurens County Bee-Tee Business Booming During Tough Economy

By: Connie LeGrand | News Channel 7
Published: June 23, 2009

An Upstate mom says people stop her in airports and on the streets to ask her where she got her daughter's t-shirt. It turns out she designed it to teach character to her two-year-old daughter Lena.

Melissa Patton is the mom behind Bee-Tees. She designs t-shirts, hats, and bags with simple, inspirational thoughts: “Bee Happy”, “Bee Honest.” In six months, she's gone from selling them in one store in Spartanburg to fifteen around the state. Patton thinks the tough economy has contributed to her success. Patton says, "I think it's opened a door for this type of product, because people want to get back to basics. They want to get back to talking to their kids and spending time with family."

Certified financial planner Mary Margaret Richards says a third of business fail within two years. "I think a lot of people are trying it, but do they have the financial underpinning in place which is going to make them successful.” She says before you start a business:

1. Be debt-free...
2. Have a three -six months family expense back up and emergency funds for the business
3. Develop a business plan, so that you know proper procedures and whether or not the product or business will sell
4. Don’t quit your day job until you are sure the new business is going to survive.

Retail locations:

Steamers Cafe & Ice Cream

104 Musgrove Street Clinton, SC

Tapestry Ladies Boutique

316 East Carolina Avenue Clinton, SC

Sunshine City

998 South Broad Street Clinton, SC

Simple Necessities

1311 Main Street Newberry, SC

Christy's Gifts & More

909 Church Street Laurens, SC

MAST General Stores