About Us
Our Mission
At TeeTurtle, we believe every person deserves a space to be undeniably you. Our mission is simple — to promote self-expression, connection, and joy by building relatable brands, creating unique products, and growing our global community.
We design with heart, bridging communities through art, humor, and pop culture — whether through a t-shirt, a plushie, or a game.
Our Core Values
Integrity
Doing what’s right, even when it's hard. We hold ourselves accountable, honor our commitments, and prioritize ethical choices over easy ones.
Curiosity
We lean into wonder. We ask questions, challenge assumptions, and stay open to new ideas (even in routines).
Compassion
We lead with empathy. We believe in the inherent value of people, aim to understand differing perspectives, and treat each other (and our community) with kindness.
Calm
We act with mindful composure. Rather than react in the moment, we pause, think, and respond thoughtfully — even under pressure.
These are the lenses through which we make decisions, guiding everything from product design to customer service.
Our Journey & Legacy
A Humble Start
TeeTurtle began when our founder, Ramy Badie, chose to bet on his creative passion. While originally pursuing medical studies, Ramy entered a design contest using his artwork to help fund tuition. That spark led him to shift paths and build something of his own.
Working out of a small apartment in Baltimore, Ramy handled every role — designing, marketing, customer service, and packing orders by hand. At the time, TeeTurtle was a t-shirt company through and through: quirky graphics, clever references, nerd culture meets art.
Growth & Expansion
Over time, as our community grew, so did our ambition. We expanded beyond t-shirts into plushies, games, accessories, and more — always staying true to our ethos of creativity, connection, and expression.
Our first “lightning in a bottle” moment came with the launch of our Reversible Plushies — especially the now-iconic Octopus design. What began as a simple idea to visualize emotions became a viral phenomenon that defined a generation of plush toys. By 2021, it was the #1 selling toy on Amazon, appearing in classrooms, offices, dorms, and car dashboards around the world.
Fans shared millions of photos and videos showing their plushies flipping from happy to sad, using them to express mood, humor, and even mental-health awareness. Social feeds were flooded with unboxings, plush collections, and creative remixes — a reminder that when people connect emotionally with something, they make it their own.
But we didn’t stop at plushies. This same energy sparked another big idea: tabletop games.
In 2017, we launched Unstable Unicorns via Kickstarter, igniting a new wave of adorably chaotic gameplay that fans couldn’t get enough of. The success of Unstable Unicorns opened the door to Unstable Games, our dedicated game studio responsible for hits like Here to Slay, Happy Little Dinosaurs, Casting Shadows, and Twisted Cryptids. With 9 crowdfunding projects and millions of games sold, we’ve built a thriving community of players who come for the strategy, and stay for the laughter.
Fueled by our value of curiosity, we continue to explore what’s next — new stories, new mechanics, new plush forms, and entirely new ways for fans to connect with our worlds. Innovation is in our DNA, and our curiosity ensures we’ll never stop asking, “What if we tried this next?”
Today & Tomorrow
From a one-person hustle to a team of creators spread across the globe, TeeTurtle designs and ships products worldwide. We now feature both in-house designs and licensed collaborations while protecting our own innovations through patents, copyright, and trademark registrations.
As we grow, we don’t lose sight of what made us who we are: integrity, curiosity, compassion, and calm. Every new product, every new collaboration, every new move is shaped by those same core values.
Why We Do What We Do
- To help people say who they are without needing to explain it.
- To spark joy, conversation, and connection through playful, meaningful design.
- To build a Community (not just a customer base) — spaces where fans feel heard, involved, and valued.
- To encourage emotional honesty, creativity, and authenticity in a world that often demands conformity.
Looking Forward
We’re not done yet. Some of what’s ahead:
- More original characters, more plush emotions, more stories to tell.
- Deeper collaboration with beloved franchises while staying true to our unique voice and style.
- Continued growth in games, accessories, and experience-driven products.
- Keeping our community close, listening constantly, and letting you help shape what comes next.