Behind The Business: Shockwave Threads Grew From A Father-Son Project Into A Mount Dora Print Studio

Before Shockwave Threads had a storefront, expanded services, or a growing list of local customers, it started at home.

For two years, Dan Spohn ran the custom apparel business from his house with help from his son, Michael, who has autism. What began as a creative outlet and a way to bring Michael’s ideas to life eventually became a business built around custom shirts, hats, embroidery, apparel printing, and design work for the community around them.

“We are rooted in autism,” Dan said. “It’s the main reason we got started. Michael is the heart and soul of this business, and without him, Shockwave would have never started.”

That origin still shapes the business today.

Shockwave Threads is not built like a faceless online print shop where customers upload a file, hope it looks right, and wait for a box to arrive. Dan saw that people still wanted someone they could talk to, ask questions, and trust with the details.

“People still want customer service,” he said. “You can order shirts and hats online, but providing hands-on service has proven to be valuable to all of my customers.”

Today, Shockwave Threads specializes in apparel printing and embroidery for businesses, organizations, clubs, events, and special occasions, with no order minimums on apparel prints. That means a customer can come in needing a small batch of shirts, a run of hats, team apparel, business uniforms, event gear, or a custom design without being forced into a large online order.

The business has also expanded into embroidery and is adding sublimation printing, giving customers more options for finished apparel. Whether someone needs stitched logos on hats and polos, printed shirts for an event, branded apparel for a business, or help turning an idea into a usable design, Shockwave helps guide the process.

Learning More Than Printing

One of Dan’s biggest surprises was realizing that customers did not just need someone who could print.

They needed someone who could design.

“Becoming an apparel printer is a learning experience on its own, but what I came to realize is that my customers also expected me to be a designer,” Dan said. “To remain competitive, I had to go from zero knowledge to knowing what I was doing very quickly.”

That meant learning through research, YouTube videos, trial and error, and a lot of figuring things out in real time. Over time, that challenge became part of Shockwave’s value. Customers can come in with a logo, a rough idea, or just a concept, and Dan can help move the project from thought to finished product.

For small businesses, clubs, teams, schools, nonprofits, and local groups, that kind of help matters. A good shirt or hat is not just merchandise. It can make a business look more professional, help a team feel connected, give an event a stronger identity, or help a cause spread its message.

Growing In The Community That Started It

Dan chose to build Shockwave Threads in Mount Dora because this is home.

“I live here and my community is here,” he said. “I am a member at CrossFit Unmatched and my journey began by making shirts and creating designs for them. I love being a part of something so supportive and being able to serve people right here in my own community.”

That local beginning is still important. Shockwave grew through relationships, conversations, referrals, and the kind of work that happens when people see what you can do and start asking if you can help with their own project.

In February 2026, Shockwave reached a major milestone by opening its first brick-and-mortar location. For Dan, that move represented more than a larger workspace. It was a sign that the business had grown from a home-based operation into something with a bigger presence and more capacity to serve customers.

The growth has been fast. Dan said the business has increased by more than 300% this year, while still remaining a small crew.

“We’re a very small crew,” he said. “We’ve only added one member to the team in our expansion while increasing our business by over 300% this year.”

Keeping The Service As The Business Scales

With that kind of growth, Dan is paying close attention to what made Shockwave work in the first place.

“Success is being able to do everything you do great today at scale,” he said. “If we take on more business but it compromises our service, then we need to revisit the process.”

That is the balance Shockwave is trying to strike now: growing the business, adding services, taking on more work, and still keeping the personal service that customers responded to from the beginning.

The Mount Dora Area Chamber of Commerce has helped introduce Dan to more local business owners as the company grows.

“As a newer member, I have had the chance to meet and shake hands with other business owners here in Mount Dora and beyond,” Dan said. “As a result, I have delivered several quotes and have had the pleasure to help serve people who need apparel printing and embroidery.”

Shockwave’s community involvement also remains tied to its roots. The business sponsors the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and Autism from A-Z in Eustis, continuing to support the community that is central to its story.

For Dan, the advice to other business owners is simple: be ready to do more than one job, and do not be afraid to talk about what you do.

“Expect to wear many hats, always be ready, and talk about your business until you are blue in the face,” he said. “People generally like hearing about what you do, so tell them and be excited about it!”

Quick Insights

What Shockwave Threads does:
Custom apparel printing, embroidery, sublimation, and design support for businesses, organizations, clubs, teams, events, and special occasions.

Why Mount Dora?
Dan lives here, his community is here, and Shockwave’s early work grew from local relationships, including CrossFit Unmatched.

What problem does Shockwave solve?
Customers can order shirts and hats online, but many still want hands-on help, design guidance, and someone local they can talk to.

Biggest lesson learned:
A business owner has to wear many hats and be ready to learn quickly.

Biggest challenge:
Learning the graphic design side of the business so customers could get help turning ideas into finished apparel.

What’s new:
Shockwave opened its first brick-and-mortar location in February 2026, added embroidery, and is adding sublimation printing.

Definition of success:
Growing without letting service, quality, or communication slip.

Something people may not know:
Shockwave began as a father-son home-based operation with Dan and Michael, and Michael remains the heart of the business.

Community involvement:
Shockwave sponsors the Autism Society of Greater Orlando and Autism from A-Z in Eustis.

About Shockwave Threads

Shockwave Threads is a Mount Dora custom apparel studio offering apparel printing, embroidery, sublimation, and design support for businesses, organizations, clubs, teams, events, and special occasions. The business offers no order minimums on apparel prints and focuses on hands-on service from idea to finished product.

Learn more at shockwavethreads.com or follow along at @shockwave.threads.