At a recent presentation to students at the Ocean County Vocational and Technical School, Mark Rosen, co-owner of Royal Stitch and Print, shared his inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, persistence, and adaptability. From starting a small embroidery business with his family to expanding into screen printing, direct-to-film (DTF) printing, and promotional products, Mark’s story offers valuable insights for anyone interested in starting their own business.
From Idea to Business: The Birth of Royal Stitch and Print
Mark’s journey into the custom apparel business began unexpectedly. In 2022, while having dinner with his sons before a Knicks game, the conversation turned to starting a side hustle. His son and daughter-in-law had an interest in crafting and personalization, and Mark suggested looking into embroidery services—something he had always found fascinating.
The next morning, without any experience, they purchased their first embroidery machine. They transformed a basement into a workspace and began learning everything they could. With his daughter-in-law, Nichole, taking the lead in learning embroidery techniques and software, they started receiving small orders. As demand grew quickly, they expanded to a six-head embroidery machine within just three months, marking the beginning of a business that would evolve far beyond what they had imagined.

Expanding the Business: Screen Printing & Direct-to-Film (DTF) Printing
As orders increased, customers started asking for screen-printed t-shirts. Not wanting to send customers elsewhere, Mark and his team decided to expand their services to include screen printing. He explained to the students how screen printing works, highlighting the complex process of creating individual screens for each color and layering the ink before heat curing it.
To provide even more options, Royal Stitch and Print also introduced Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing. Unlike traditional screen printing, which requires large order quantities, DTF allows for full-color designs on demand with no screen charges. This method provides vibrant, long-lasting prints, making it a perfect solution for customers needing small-batch custom orders.
How Promotional Products Changed the Game
While embroidery and printing were the backbone of the business, Mark admitted he had no initial interest in promotional products. That changed when a customer requested custom pens. Instead of outsourcing the request, Mark took advice from a friend and connected with ASI (Advertising Specialty Institute), a move that completely transformed their business.
Now, promotional products—including drinkware, bags, pens, and branded giveaways—make up a significant portion of Royal Stitch and Print’s sales. Mark explained how promotional products require less manual labor and are easy to scale, making them a lucrative part of the business.
The Importance of Small Business Clients
One of the key messages Mark shared with students was the value of serving small businesses. Many custom apparel companies require minimum order quantities, but at Royal Stitch and Print, Mark takes pride in working with businesses that need just a few embroidered shirts or custom products.
He shared an example of how a small order for 100 notepads led to a major client purchasing thousands of custom vinyl envelopes on a regular basis. Relationships like these reinforce Mark’s belief that customer service and personal connections drive long-term success.
Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Networking
Mark emphasized that success in business isn’t just about skill or products—it’s about relationships and persistence. When he started Royal Stitch and Print, he had to find customers. His solution? Networking.
- Chamber of Commerce Membership – Mark joined the Brick Chamber of Commerce, where he connected with other local businesses that needed custom apparel.
- Networking Groups like LeTip – He joined a LeTip networking group, where members refer business to each other. This strategy led to multiple long-term clients.
- Word-of-Mouth Marketing – By providing high-quality work and excellent service, customers naturally refer others, helping the business grow organically.
He advised students that entrepreneurship requires resilience, sharing his own experiences of failure and financial struggles before finding success.

Key Takeaways for Future Business Owners
Mark’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone considering entrepreneurship:
- Be Willing to Learn – Mark and his family started with zero embroidery experience, but through dedication, they quickly mastered it.
- Expand to Meet Customer Needs – By adding screen printing, DTF, and promotional products, they kept customers from going elsewhere.
- Invest in Relationships – Small orders often lead to long-term, high-value customers.
- Network & Build Trust – Mark’s success in gaining business came from connections and personal relationships.
- Never Give Up – Failure is just a step toward success. Even after setbacks, persistence and adaptability can turn things around.
More Than Just a Business, A Family Legacy
Beyond financial success, what makes Royal Stitch and Print special is that it’s a family business. Mark is proud to work alongside his sons and daughter-in-law, and he hopes to build a sustainable company for future generations.
His final message to students? Hard work, learning from mistakes, and building strong relationships will take you further than any single skill or product.