Tyler Chaffee is only a sophomore but has already launched his own clothing line, Aucracy.
Name: Tyler Chaffee
Year: 2015
Major: Graphic Design
Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
ME: When did you launch your clothing line and what was the process like from beginning to launch?
TYLER: I released my first shirt design in the summer of ’11. They didn’t sell very well, but I pushed through, and kept going. I guess that’s just what you gotta do. It always starts out slow until you find your flow, which I haven’t quite found yet, but I’m getting there.
ME: Is this a solo project or do you work with others?
TYLER: I’m a one-man show, thats just how it has played out. I’ve recently been thinking about bringing more people onboard though, so we’ll see if it stays that way.
ME: What made you want to create your own clothing line?
TYLER: Back in high school, I designed for my friend’s company, Chill Factor. I really enjoyed it but I never actually got to see anything produced, so I broke off and went my own route with the whole idea and started Aucracy.
ME: How did you come up with the name “Aucracy?”
TYLER: Aucracy was of my own creation. It means an independent power. Branching from and resembling the suffixes of Demo-cracy, Bureau-cracy, and Auto-cracy.
ME: What items do you have for sale?
TYLER: Right now I have shirts, hats, and wristbands, but I’m trying to expand and move in more directions.
ME: Where can people purchase these items?
TYLER: I’m not about the online vendor sites right now, maybe sometime in the future, but right now I’m selling directly off my back and out of my dorm. The best way would be to talk to me directly. People can also like the Aucracy page on Facebook and message through that.
ME: Do you have any plans to extend your line, or do you plan on having any other business endeavors?
TYLER: I’m hoping to break out with more intricate stuff by the end of summer of 2013, hopefully sooner rather than later. I’ve also been working with a few local bands out of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
ME: Where do you hope to be in ten years?
TYLER: It would be great to be working with a bigger name or to be a big name myself and own my own shop based out of Boston or New York, but that’s if all the pieces fall into place.
ME: What is your biggest fear?
TYLER: My biggest fear would probably be losing my passion. I do this because I enjoy it. I may make enough money to make back what I spent and maybe a little extra on the side, but that can’t compare to the sight or thought of people wearing something that I put my heart into.