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The Work Makes Us Happy,
Here's Why:

This is a place for the dreamers, the doers, and the creators — the ones who can’t imagine life without their art. Whether you’re an athlete, musician, dancer, writer, or anything in between, you know that the work — the actual creating — is where the joy lives.

 

The Work Makes Me Happy is a nonprofit that exists to celebrate that joy. We’re here to support the people who don’t just dream about their art but chase it relentlessly in real life. This is a space to connect, share stories, and inspire one another.

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So stay awhile. Browse. Connect. Share your journey. Because you already know — the work makes you happy.

 

And we’re here to celebrate that with you.

The Man Who Started It All: Shaka Curtis

After serving as a Marine, stepping back into civilian life was a journey filled with uncertainty. Like many who leave the military, the question "Who am I now?" became a constant echo. In the search for purpose beyond the uniform, he discovered something unexpected — a love for fashion. Designing t-shirts became more than just a creative outlet; it became his form of art, a way to express himself and reclaim his identity.

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Fashion gave him joy. Creating gave him purpose. And most importantly, the support from friends, family, and fellow creators gave him hope. It was during this time that he realized just how powerful it is to have a community that believes in you — especially when you're still trying to find yourself.

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That’s why he created The Work Makes Me Happy. It’s about honoring the artists, the dreamers, the doers. It’s about supporting the people who, like him, have found purpose and identity in creating something they love. This brand exists to celebrate those who do the work because it makes them happy — and to remind them that what they do matters.

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This is a movement. A thank you. A promise to give back to the people who chase their dreams — just like he did.

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Because in the end, it’s the work that makes us happy. And that’s worth everything.

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