Why We’re Focusing on Ohio (And Saying Goodbye to Some Designs)

Why We Removed Some Items From Our Online Store

When we launched Happy Ohioan, we had a big vision and a lot of excitement. Like most small business owners starting out, we threw a bunch of creative ideas at the wall to see what would stick. We offered a variety of designs, some centered around Ohio, and others that were fun, faith-based, or pop culture-inspired.

Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed some of those original items disappearing from our site, and some new Ohio themed items added. We wanted to take a minute to explain why.

We were trying to do too much.

In the beginning, we thought the more designs we offered, the better. But we quickly realized that trying to speak to everyone meant we weren’t really connecting deeply with anyone. It didn’t feel focused. It didn’t feel authentic to who we are.

The truth is, the designs people connected with most were the ones that reflected a love for Ohio. The ones that made you smile because they reminded you of your hometown, your Saturday tailgates, your favorite backroads, or that one gas station pizza you secretly love. That’s when it hit us, this is our lane.

So we’re narrowing in and doing what we do best: celebrating Ohio.

From here forward, Happy Ohioan is dialing into what makes this brand special. We’re doubling down on local pride and small-town charm. Every design you see moving forward will be rooted in our love for the Buckeye State.

That doesn’t mean we’re tossing out everything else completely. In fact, some of the original non-Ohio designs are being reimagined. We’re giving them a second life with an Ohio twist, whether that’s a change in wording, color palette, or adding in some local flavor. You might see some familiar styles come back with a little more Ohio heart behind them.

We want Happy Ohioan to feel personal.

We want our shirts to feel like your new favorite tee, not just because it fits great, but because it means something. Something about where you’re from, who you are, or what you love about this place we all call home.

We’ve always believed that less is more when it’s done with intention. And this change helps us keep that focus.

So what happens to the rest of those designs?

They’re not gone forever. We’re looking into some other places where those shirts might show up in the future. That may be under a different label or through a different platform. If and when that happens, we’ll let you know. But for now, Happy Ohioan is all-in on Ohio.

Thanks for growing with us.

If you’ve been with us since the beginning, we can’t thank you enough. Running a small business means learning as you go, adjusting when needed, and listening to the people who support you. That’s what we’re doing right now.

This isn’t the end of anything, rather it’s the beginning of something more focused, more meaningful, and more true to who we are.

Check Out Our Updated Selection

Stay happy. Stay proud. Stay Ohioan.
-Ryan & Shi
Owners, Happy Ohioan