Miloakee began as a mix of creativity, motherhood, and the desire to make things that felt truly personal. Before designing professionally, I was making custom shirts and gifts for my kids, usually for school spirit days, holidays, birthdays, or simply because my son had a specific request that didn’t exist anywhere else. When we couldn’t find a hoodie that matched his vision, I drew it myself, ordered a custom print, and realized how much I loved the process.

What started as a simple creative outlet after long days of work and parenting quickly became something I looked forward to, a way to decompress, experiment, and make my family light up. Over time, I went from piecing together online images to fully drawing my own designs.. I invested in a heat press, different transfer methods, and even learned detailed sublimation techniques so I could bring each piece to life exactly the way I imagined.

That combination, the joy of creating for my children and the satisfaction of mastering the process, became the foundation of Miloakee. It’s where the heart of this business still lives today: thoughtful, custom-inspired designs created with care, intention, and a whole lot of love.

Miloakee’s purpose deepened when our daughter, Oaklee, was diagnosed with an extremely rare mitochondrial condition: NDUFAF8-related Complex I deficiency on the Leigh syndrome spectrum. Her strength, resilience, and infectious personality transformed the way I think about purpose. It made it clear that this business could be more than just art on a shirt. It could help move research forward for children like her.

Because of that, 20% of all Miloakee profits are donated to Cure Mito Foundation, a parent-led nonprofit funding research, supporting families, and fighting for treatments and hope for those affected by mitochondrial disease. Giving back is woven into the heart of this brand, and every purchase directly helps support a community that means so much to us.

At Miloakee, our mission is simple:
Create designs that feel comforting, joyful, and genuinely human — while making a real difference for families like ours.

We value creativity, compassion, connection, and the belief that small businesses can spark big impact. Miloakee is unique not just because of the artwork, but because it’s built with intention: mom-made, heart-led, and rooted in the understanding that life is messy and beautiful — and worth celebrating.

Thank you for being here, for supporting our family, and for helping us raise awareness and hope for children with mitochondrial disease.

Your purchase isn’t just a product — it’s part of a bigger story, and we’re grateful you’re now a part of it.