Photography by Brooke Courtney / Model: Kelsey Courtney
walk in love. began in 2005, when founder T.J. Mousetis decided to sell t-shirts with the words “walk in love” on them to raise money for a mission trip. Nearly 10 years later, it is now a thriving, profitable business in Lancaster, Pa. The company is dedicated to producing “well-designed, high quality products with a positive and inspiring message.” walk in love. has evolved with the dedication of T.J., his wife Brooke Courtney, and dozens of artists, interns and employees, as well as thousands of fans and customers.
In 2011, walk in love. opened its first retail store at the Park City Mall in Lancaster. Two years later, they opened a second store in Stone Harbor, New Jersey.
“When I started, I had no idea what I was doing in terms of business, design, product quality, etc. Since those first t-shirts I have learned a lot about all those things and the quality of our product from start to finish has vastly improved,” Mousetis said.
Although walk in love. originally sold t-shirts only, it now designs and sells sweatshirts, tanks, hats, buttons, stickers, mugs and phone cases. Additionally, it also stocks merchandise from a few other companies, such as Baggu and Ban.Do, creating a shop that’s fun, bright, quirky, and inspiring.
Early in 2014, the walk in love. stores were closed and business moved online.
“We always enjoyed the online version of everything more than the retail store and so last year we decided to focus on what we do best. The move and change has been amazing! We have saved a ton of money with the shift and have been able to focus on what we do best and what we enjoy most!” Mousetis explained.
While the majority of sales are online only, walk in love. hosts occasional workshops, warehouse sales, photo shoots and parties at their studio in Manheim, Pa.
The growth of walk in love. is due to the zeal and excitement that the creators have about their company and the excellence that they strive for as a business. Mousetis’s wife, Brooke Courtney is a professional photographer, so there are constantly new, stunning photographs being added to the walk in love. website, blog, and Instagram page. They encourage followers to model new designs for them and create a positive community by doing giveaways and hosting contests, attending local events and frequently featuring their friends and customers. walk in love. has also put out an iPhone app called VRSLY which allows you to view inspiring and encouraging phrases and verses every day.
The design and products are wonderful quality, but what is most evident about walk in love. is the inspiration that drives everything. Their mission is to encourage others to “imitate God by loving others every chance we get – no strings attached.” Mousetis said that the one thing they want their customers to come away with is “to be encouraged that there is a God out there who loves them and wants a relationship with them.”
