For former chef Ryan David and organizational communications graduate Philippe Arenillo, that is. With a capital of P40,000 (US$981), the two friends ventured into a T-shirt business they call the Perfect White Shirt. They initially sold Philippine-made plain cotton-spandex (90/10) shirts until they discovered local T-shirt brand David and Goliath.

“We liked how their graphic shirts looked, and it inspired us to make our own,” says Ryan. With his and Philippe’s designs in mind, they pulled in some artist friends to draw up the look they wanted.

Catering to college-age girls, Perfect White Shirt has designs for those fiercely loyal to their alma mater (there’s a perfect shirt for the Fighting Maroon, the Green Archer, the Blue Eagle, the Red Warrior, or the Growling Tiger), the rebellious, the ambitious, or those who’d rather express their thoughts through color.

Now a year into the business, Perfect White Shirt has five people on the payroll. The two are able to minimize costs by subcontracting the silk-screening. Ryan and Philippe also do some networking by participating in bazaars at the World Trade Center and in Greenhills and Wack Wack.

The two sell online through Multiply, as well as at a regular stall in Greenhills. It’s amazing how these two keep their heads up, as Ryan, a culinary arts graduate at OB Montessori, also manages the family business, while Philippe is working toward a second degree, this time in nursing. Now that’s what you call ambition.

Check out Perfect White Shirts designs here.

For orders: Call 4921130, 24921181, 0917 8545696, and 0906 3645086, or e-mail theperfectwhiteshirt@yahoo.com