When passion meets purpose, creativity becomes more than expression — it becomes healing. Licensed Master Social Worker and Social Entrepreneur Tamara Dopwell has mastered the art of merging mental health advocacy with style through her inspiring brand, Designs by Tee, LLC. With each T-shirt, Tamara transforms affirmations into wearable empowerment, bridging fashion, faith, and social justice. In this interview, she opens up about the heart behind her designs, how creativity fuels healing, and the power of community in her mission to make visibility and wellness fashionable.
Fancy: Designs by Tee combines fashion, empowerment, and advocacy — what inspired you to turn T-shirts into a platform for social awareness and healing?
Tamara: I’ve always believed that clothing can speak before we do. As a therapist and advocate, I saw how words can empower, and as a creative, I wanted to bring that power to life visually. Designs by Tee started as a way to merge fashion with purpose — using T-shirts to spark conversations around mental health, faith, justice, and healing. Each design carries a message that reminds people they’re seen, supported, and capable of change. It’s wearable advocacy.
Fancy: As a Social Entrepreneur, how do you define the relationship between purpose and profit in your work?
Tamara: For me, purpose always leads. Profit is the vehicle that sustains the mission, not the mission itself. Every sale supports community initiatives, workshops, and mental health advocacy through Let’s Talk About It, Inc. When your business is grounded in service, the profit becomes a tool to expand impact — not the other way around.
Fancy: Your background in therapy gives you a unique perspective — how do mental health and social justice show up in your designs or messaging?
Tamara: Mental health and social justice are at the core of everything I create. The messages on our shirts are often affirmations born from sessions, community dialogues, and lived experiences. I want people — especially those from marginalized communities — to feel seen and validated. Designs like “Healing Looks Good on You” or “Faith Over Fear” remind wearers that mental health and resilience are part of their strength story.
Fancy: Can you walk us through your creative process and how designing becomes a form of self-expression or healing for you?
Tamara: My process always begins with emotion — what’s happening in the world, in my community, or within myself. I write down words or phrases that reflect what people need to hear: hope, truth, courage, or rest. Then, I translate that into color, typography, and style. Designing is therapeutic for me — it’s how I process feelings, transform pain into purpose, and reclaim narrative through creativity.
Fancy: What role do you believe creativity plays in helping people process pain, build confidence, or find their voice?
Tamara: Creativity is liberation. It allows us to express what words can’t always capture. Whether it’s art, writing, or fashion — creativity gives people permission to show up authentically. I’ve seen how creating something can restore confidence, build connection, and turn trauma into testimony.
Fancy: Community seems to be a major theme in your work. How does community support or influence what you create and stand for?
Tamara: Community is everything. My designs are often inspired by the people I serve — families, youth, survivors, and dreamers who are pushing through life’s challenges. Their stories fuel my creativity. I also believe in giving back — hosting pop-ups, supporting local causes, and using my platform to spotlight others doing the work. We heal and rise together.
Fancy: When someone wears one of your shirts, what feeling or message do you hope they carry with them into the world?
Tamara: I want them to feel powerful, grounded, and affirmed. I hope they know they’re part of something bigger — a movement rooted in healing, faith, and justice. Every shirt is a conversation starter, a declaration of self-worth, and a reminder that change begins with us.
Fancy: Do you have anything special planned for the holiday season?
Tamara: Yes! This holiday season, I’m launching a limited “Wear Your Healing” collection — designs centered around gratitude, peace, and reflection. I’m also partnering with local shelters and schools to donate t-shirts and host “Healing Through Art” sessions for youth. It’s all about giving back, spreading warmth, and reminding people that even in tough seasons, healing is possible.
www.instagram.com/designsbytee3
designsbytee3@gmail.com
