The Heart Behind the Ink
Baby Squid Ink isn’t just a name, it is a tribute to my sister, Jennifer. Born in 1978, she was my little sister, my best friend, and the keeper of so many of my most cherished memories. Her bright, playful spirit lit up every room, and from the moment she could talk, we shared an unbreakable bond.
I gave her the nickname “Baby Squid” when we were young, one of those silly, affectionate names that just stuck. She adored it. It became our thing, a symbol of the love and laughter we shared.
Baby Squid & Our Bond
Back then, before cellphones or video chats, we stayed connected through long phone calls and handwritten letters. Eventually, I moved closer to be near her and our mom. During her high school years, we were inseparable, coffee shop talks, movie nights, and music that became the soundtrack to our lives. Those late-night conversations and inside jokes are etched into my soul.
Then leukemia changed everything. Jennifer passed away in 1997 at just 19 years old. Losing her was devastating, but I knew I had to keep her memory alive. When I launched my business, there was only one name that felt right: Baby Squid Ink. Our first logo was a silhouette of Jennifer’s eyes. Her spirit is woven into everything I create.
T-Shirts as Memories
Custom apparel has always held a special place in my heart. T-shirts weren’t just souvenirs, they were memories. One of my favorites? A shirt from the 1998 Aerosmith New Year’s Eve concert at the Boston Garden. My father had dated Steven Tyler’s sister, and we were invited to the show. I rang in the New Year with my father and met the entire band. Epic doesn’t even begin to cover it.
After college, I started in broadcast radio but soon found my groove in product development and retail buying. I worked with Hills Department Stores, Bradlees, and CVS, yes, that magical middle aisle was my domain. I even traveled to Hong Kong, curating seasonal merchandise straight from the source.
Later, I held product development and marketing roles in wine, home cleaning, and infant feeding before discovering my passion for print and promotional products at W.B. Mason in 2013.
New Beginnings
In 2013, I met John, and from our first date, I knew he was my person. He’s an artist, a musician, and my greatest champion. He studied at the Museum of Fine Arts School in Boston and toured as a drummer, even playing at the legendary CBGB’s in NYC.
By fall 2014, we said, “I do” and found our home in Hull, MA, a place by the ocean where dreams feel possible. John lifts me up, believes in me, and celebrates every milestone by my side.
Tribute to My Mom
In early 2014, I lost my mom, Charlene, my guiding light. Her love and belief in me shaped who I am, and I carry her spirit with me every single day.
We talked every day. There wasn’t a topic we couldn’t explore together, dreams, doubts, big ideas, little worries. From the time I was a child, she taught me I could be anything I wanted to be. That kind of belief stays with you.
Charlene was an elementary school teacher in her earlier years, and she never stopped being one at heart. You could call her at 3 a.m., and she’d be there, whether it was me, my sister, or even one of our friends who couldn’t turn to their own parents. She had a gift for showing up, for listening, for making people feel seen.
She was the kind of woman who made everyone feel like they mattered. Her compassion didn’t have boundaries, it extended to anyone who needed it. My mom was an amazing woman, and her legacy lives on in every act of kindness I try to carry forward.
My Papa, My Spark
When COVID hit, I was furloughed and unsure of what came next. In that quiet, uncertain space, it was my father who reminded me of the joy I felt designing as a kid. He’d always been my biggest champion, nudging me to create, cheering me on, and believing in me even when I couldn’t.
I made a single T-shirt with my Cricut, just for him. That one design sparked something bigger. Orders started coming in, and Baby Squid Ink was born.
Papa wore every shirt like a badge of honor, showing them off and asking what I’d make next. His support wasn’t just encouraging, it was the foundation.
When he passed away suddenly in June 2023, I was shattered. But I knew I had to keep going. For him. For Jennifer. For my mom. For me.
Building Baby Squid Ink
In fall 2023, John and I took a leap. We invested in a state-of-the-art Direct To Film (DTF) printer, transitioning from vinyl pressing to full-color ink imprinting. It was a game-changer, unlocking new creative possibilities and helping us carve out our corner in the custom apparel world.
We run Baby Squid Ink from our home studio in Hull, with our beagle Beasley keeping us company (and pretending she’s the boss).
Why Baby Squid Ink?
Because this isn’t just about printing T-shirts, it is about storytelling, memory-making, and creating something meaningful. It’s about honoring my sister’s legacy, embracing my lifelong love of design, and crafting high-quality custom apparel that people love.
When you wear something from Baby Squid Ink, you’re wearing a piece of that passion, that history, and that love.
Welcome to our journey.
Welcome to Baby Squid Ink.
