T-Shirt Business: How a Milwaukee entrepreneur keeps finding success while uplifting his city

For 10 years, Enrique Murguia has been grinding away at his business Milwaukee OATS which stands for Only A T-Shirt. It's a screen printing business. In the past decade he has moved from a studio to a warehouse space and most recently to a storefront with a studio space in the back. For the man they call T-Shirt Boomin, business is booming “It feels great, you know. (Opening the storefront) gives me a lot of confidence being able to like dream something and wake up, and like I actually have it," Murguia said.
The Milwaukee OATS storefront is on Kinnickinnic Avenue in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood. It opened in July 2023. He's able to do screen printing in part of the building while showcasing his designs along with those of other local creators. Murguia prints shirts for national companies but also tons of local organizations like Froedert, Sherman Park Grocery Store, 414 Life, and many others. He puts a big emphasis on giving back to his community too. Among the work he does, he collaborates with local high schools and youth organizations to hire interns for hands-on learning opportunities.“And the more orders we get, the more young people were able to pay to work here, so it's awesome," he said.
Interns are hired on a part-time basis and can earn between $15 and $17 an hour.
“I’ve literally learned almost everything I need to start a brand," Ivan Mendoza, an intern said.
Mendoza has worked in other retail locations before and said his experience with Milwaukee OATS has been incredibly educational and interactive.
"It wasn’t more of just a manager just telling me to fold shirts or go here. It was a bond. It was like we got to know each other. We got to really work, and he gives me feedback on things. There’s certain thing that he asks me for my feedback," Mendoza said.

[@MrGUSGUS2]

Congrats brotha...More to come for sure!

[@RicoSuave077]

Always happy to celebrate a minority business that is prospering and growing. Keep up the good work.

[@tshirtboomin.onlyat-shirts4926]

Thank you so much. We love what we do 👕