MemoryStone

Eight years ago, after suffering high fevers, swollen glands and low blood pressure, Gobiel was eventually diagnosed with chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome — also known as chronic fatigue syndrome — leaving her housebound and looking for a way to work from home. Gobiel was computer savvy from her days as an executive assistant and officer manager who once held a position with Goldman Sachs & Co. Coincidentally, in June 2006 her then-11-year-old niece Ashley D’Orlando started her own Web-based company called Slamdunks that sold t-shirts, mugs, note cards and more with designs created by D’Orlando. Some designs were lighthearted and others more serious, all with the intent of raising awareness about chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction. After seeing her niece start her own company using print-on-demand Web sites, Gobiel realized that she had an opportunity to both engage her creative side and start working again — this time from home. (via Putting a stamp on shirts: hobby turns lucrative for T-shirt designer)