Customer's Success Story | GearCustoms & Customily

October 14, 2025

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Every great business story begins with a shift, a moment when an entrepreneur decides to take full control of their journey. For GearCustoms, that moment came when the founder moved from affiliate marketing to creating something much more personal and scalable: customized products that customers truly connect with.

What started as a passion for online business evolved into a thriving, multi-platform print-on-demand brand, powered by Customily’s personalization technology. Today, GearCustoms is proof that innovation, creativity, and persistence can turn challenges into lasting success.

From Affiliate Marketer to Personalization Expert: The Gearcustoms Journey

The story of GearCustoms begins in 2015, when its founder was exploring the early world of online entrepreneurship through Amazon niche sites and affiliate marketing.

“Affiliate marketing was one of the hottest ways to get started,” they shared. “That experience gave me my first taste of making money online, and it motivated me to look for other business models where I could have more control over the products and the branding.”

By 2016, Print-on-Demand (POD) had entered the picture, and with it, a new wave of opportunity. The ability to design and sell creative products directly to global audiences was revolutionary. Over time, through experimentation and dedication, GearCustoms grew from a simple side project into a full-fledged eCommerce brand.

Discovering the Power of Personalization

By 2020, the POD landscape had changed dramatically. Increased competition and rising advertising costs were making it harder for sellers to stand out. But amidst those challenges, a new opportunity was taking off: personalized products.

“Many of my friends were pivoting toward personalization and seeing impressive results,” the founder recalled. “Customers loved the uniqueness, and it was clear personalization was the future of POD. That’s when I reached out to Customily and started adding personalized products to my shop.”

This decision marked a turning point. What started as an experiment became the foundation for a new growth phase.

Finding the Right Partner: Why Customily

Before Customily, GearCustoms had tested several personalization tools. However, most of them were too limited.

“They only allowed basic personalization like adding text or uploading an image,” they explained. “That didn’t create the engaging, interactive experience customers expect.”

Customily was different. Its advanced features, including clipart libraries, dynamic text, and photo personalization, made it the perfect match.

“At the time, Customily was simply the best option available. It made my store look professional and gave customers a seamless, fun personalization experience. Over the years, it’s become an essential part of my business.”

GearCustom website with a personalized product

Building a Competitive Edge with Customily

Personalization didn’t just add variety to GearCustoms’ catalog, it redefined how the store connected with customers.

📌 “Customily has helped me maintain stable sales even when the POD industry became more challenging,” said the founder. “Its tools allow me to stand out in a crowded market, and I can offer products that feel meaningful and one-of-a-kind.”

The results were clear. While many sellers struggled with the rising costs of advertising, GearCustoms leveraged Customily to keep engagement high and sales strong.

Their first product with Customily? A poster featuring a girl and her dogs, where customers could change hairstyles, outfits, and pet breeds. A hit that became the blueprint for future success.

“That product gave me the confidence to keep expanding into personalization,” they added.

The Customily Features That Make It All Work

For GearCustoms, Customily’s versatility is what keeps the business moving forward.

📌 “The clipart options were game-changing from the start,” they said. “Later, when Customily added tools like the background remover and face cutout, those became my new favorites. They add value for the customer and save me time and money since I no longer need third-party tools.”

These innovations have made running a personalized store smoother and more cost-efficient, a vital advantage in today’s fast-changing eCommerce world.

Thriving Through Change

When asked whether Customily impacted sales, the answer came without hesitation:

📌 “Absolutely. Before personalization, my shop was focused on 2D POD products, and sales had started to decline. Introducing personalized products with Customily completely turned things around. I was able to attract new customers, increase engagement, and boost conversions. Without Customily, I don’t think I would have sustained my shop through that period.”

This adaptability, combined with years of experience, has helped GearCustoms stay strong while many other POD stores disappeared from the market.

GearCustom website with a personalized product

Experience, Innovation, and the Future of POD

GearCustoms’ long-term success comes from more than just great tools, it’s built on experience, strategy, and the ability to evolve.

“Selling POD today is more competitive and requires more strategy,” the founder said. “My experience helps me understand customers better, and diversification keeps my business stable. I don’t rely on one platform, I spread my products across multiple channels to minimize risk.”

Looking ahead, the founder sees AI as both a challenge and an opportunity.

“AI will make it easier to create products, but it will also bring more competition. To stay competitive, I’ll need to keep evolving and exploring new sales channels. Standing still isn’t an option in this industry.”

Words of Advice for New Entrepreneurs

GearCustoms’ journey offers valuable lessons for anyone starting in eCommerce.

“Focus on building a solid foundation,” they advised. “There’s so much information out there that beginners can feel overwhelmed. Learn how the market works, understand your competitors, and build products that offer something unique. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence, learning, and the right tools, you can build a sustainable business.”

Why Choose Customily’s Product Personalizer?

GearCustoms’ story is a powerful example of how Customily’s personalization platform can turn a struggling store into a thriving brand. By offering a rich, interactive customization experience and continuous innovation, Customily empowers sellers to stay ahead in the fast-moving POD industry.

Its intuitive interface, advanced tools, and dedicated support team make it the go-to solution for any merchant who wants to grow with personalization.

If you’re ready to bring your store to life with unique, customized products, Customily is your perfect partner. We’ll help you build a seamless personalization experience that drives engagement, sales, and long-term success.

Let’s customize the world together!

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Cecilia Ravela

​Cecilia Ravela is Customily's Chief Storytelling Officer, harmonizing her passion for music and magic into captivating narratives. A devoted Swiftie and Potterhead, she crafts content that enchants audiences. Beyond the office, Cecilia's wanderlust leads her to new cultures, fueling her creative inspiration.

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Logo of Johnnie Walker, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom gifts.Logo of HBO, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom merchandise.Logo of Kipling, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom bags.Logo of Mattel, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom merch.Logo of Stanley, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom drinkware.Logo of Heinz, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom packaging.Logo of Mont Blanc, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom pens.Logo of PaperSource, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom stationery.
Logo of Johnnie Walker, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom gifts.Logo of HBO, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom merchandise.Logo of Kipling, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom bags.Logo of Mattel, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom merch.Logo of Stanley, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom drinkware.Logo of Heinz, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom packaging.Logo of Mont Blanc, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom pens.Logo of PaperSource, a top customer using our product personalizer for custom stationery.