Meet Tyree of Chandler

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyree.

Hi Tyree, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
TXYZ started as a concept back in 2017 while I was still an undergrad at NAU. However, growing up, I was always drawn to creativity, whether it was art, fashion, or music. In high school, I was fortunate enough to have access to graphic design classes and a screen-printing shop. That was where I fell in love with the process of taking an idea in my head and bringing it to life on a t-shirt.

Even though I went to college with the goal of going to medical school and earned my degree in Chemistry, my love for creating never left me. I’d often spend late nights in the NAU computer labs, using the Adobe programs to sketch out designs. At first, I sent my artwork to large online screen-printing companies to get them made, but I quickly realized I wanted to be more hands-on. I wanted to feel the process, not just outsource it. Knowing that every single shirt was carefully curated and sent to your home with love was an important aspect of the process.

So, as a broke college student, I turned to YouTube and taught myself how to build my own silk screens. I ordered mesh, wood, staples, emulsion, and ink from Amazon, and set up my own DIY screen-printing setup. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine. From there, I slowly upgraded as I learned and grew.

For years, I treated TXYZ as a hobby and “side job,” but deep down, I knew it was more than that. In 2024, I was selected to be a vendor at the OXDX Holiday Market at the Tempe Center for the Arts. That day changed everything. I sold out of shirts, but more importantly, I got to connect with people who resonated with my art and my message. Meeting other Indigenous creatives and feeling that community lit a fire in me; I knew TXYZ wasn’t just for me anymore, it had the potential to inspire and connect with others.

Today, I personally do not own a big fancy screen printing press yet and I still do most of my printing (for my brand) in my room as I started with. It makes each shirt special to me knowing that my hands were the ones who printed it, packaged it, and sent it off to its new owner. I’m laying a stronger foundation for TXYZ, building it into something bigger than just clothing. For me, TXYZ is about creating timeless art and speaks to individuality, culture, and expression. I’ve come to realize that the vision and creativity I was blessed with aren’t just mine to hold; they’re meant to inspire others, whether it’s through a message on a t-shirt or through seeing me commit to something I truly love.

But TXYZ is also about community. I want to use my art and my platform to give back; whether that’s through donating, hosting events, creating workshops, or collaborating with local businesses to support Indigenous youth and provide access to art supplies, clothes, and spaces for expression. My goal is to build a brand that doesn’t just sell clothing, but creates a movement that reminds people they can embrace their individuality, be proud of who they are, and use their creativity as a form of healing and connection.

This journey has taught me patience, persistence, and the importance of believing in yourself even when no one else sees the vision yet. TXYZ is still growing, but I know this is only the beginning.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. One of the biggest struggles for me has been doubt. Doubt about whether people would ever appreciate my art the way I do, or if they would ever truly see the vision and mission behind TXYZ. Self-doubt is one of the hardest feelings to overcome, and it’s something I still battle with.

When you look around, you see so many clothing brands that are globally recognized, and it can feel overwhelming to compare yourself to that. But that’s also where my mission and vision were reborn. I realized you have to believe in your art so deeply that it almost feels delusional, because most people won’t understand it right away.

A quote that has always stuck with me is, “To be great is to be misunderstood.” When I look at the stories of people who built something big and meaningful, almost all of them were doubted or misunderstood at some point. What set them apart was their refusal to let that doubt stop them. They believed in their vision 1000%, even when others thought they were crazy.

I’d be lying if I said doubt doesn’t still creep into my mind…it does. But now, instead of letting it hold me back, I let it fuel me. It pushes me to put out work I completely believe in, work that feels authentic to me. That’s what TXYZ is all about: believing in your vision, creativity, and art so strongly that no one and nothing can deter you from your path.

On top of that, there were very real external challenges. One of the hardest parts of my journey was realizing that medical school may not actually be my calling. This is what took up most of my time outside of working. There were long days and nights of studying for the entrance exam which gave me little to no time for TXYZ. For so long, I chased the idea of becoming what I thought everyone else wanted me to be and what I thought I wanted for myself. But over time, I came to see that what truly made me feel alive was TXYZ and creating. That’s where my heart felt whole.

I still believe there may be a medical path in my future, but I’ve learned to trust God’s timing. If that’s meant for me, He will bring it back around. For now, He’s given me the space, energy, and passion to pour myself fully into TXYZ and that has brought me more joy than I’ve ever known.

Taking that leap of faith was scary. Walking away from the “safe” path into the unknown tested everything in me. But it also showed me that when you trust God and step into your passion, He’ll meet you there. It taught me that purpose lives where passion, faith, and courage come together.

That’s what I hope others take from my journey too. You don’t have to follow the path others expect of you or even what you HAD of yourself. If God placed something in your heart, even if it seems uncertain or misunderstood, lean into it. That leap may be the very thing that leads you to your purpose.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
TXYZ is more than just a clothing brand, it’s a creative movement. At its core, we specialize in hand creen-printed apparel, and we’re most known for our oversized tees that feature bold, large-scale designs. Every piece carries its own character, whether it’s the texture of the ink or even a happy little accident that happens during the printing process. No two shirts are ever truly the same, and that uniqueness is part of the art. What makes most of the pieces unique is the printing style I have for my branded clothes. I print most of them with out a press and free hand the placement on the screen on the t-shirt. This makes each placement on the shirt differ.

What makes me proud is that TXYZ is Indigenous-owned and built from the ground up. It started with me making shirts by hand in my room, but it’s grown into something that not only creates original branded apparel but also helps other creatives and businesses bring their visions to life. Recently, we began offering custom screen printing for clients and creative direction for clients who are starting their own brands. Helping others get their ideas off the ground has been just as fulfilling as building TXYZ itself.

Community has always been at the heart of what we do. TXYZ has been able to donate to families in need, and one that stands out was supporting a family whose child was battling a severe illness. Those experiences opened my eyes to the potential of what this brand can become; it’s not just about clothing, but about using our platform to give back and create impact. As we continue to grow, one of my biggest goals is to expand that side of TXYZ, so we can support even more families and provide opportunities for Native youth to have access to art, clothing, and creative spaces.

What sets TXYZ apart is that we aren’t just selling clothing. With every piece we create, we’re building a connection, a culture, and community.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happy is being able to do the things I love — creating and helping others. Creating gives me a way to express myself, tell stories, and bring ideas to life that people can connect with. Helping others makes me feel grounded because I know the work I do can have an impact beyond just me — whether it’s inspiring someone, giving back to the community, or opening space for others to express themselves too. That balance of creating and helping is also what drives TXYZ. It’s more than a clothing brand to me; it’s a way to share art that resonates, build community, and give people the confidence to be themselves.

Pricing:

• Tees range from $40 to $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://txyzaz.com
• Instagram: txyz.az
• Other: Tik Tok: txyz_az

Image Credits
@just_jessse_

&

Kikas Clemente