About Us
Whitney Rhode - Founder & Creative Designer
Witty Whit’s Designs was built on a simple truth: first responders carry the weight of the world, so someone ought to give them something that makes them laugh while they do it. That “someone” is Whitney Rhode — founder, owner, creative designer, and the unapologetically sassy mind behind every product in the shop. Whitney grew up with the perfect recipe for this brand: a sharp, sarcastic sense of humor from her dad; a love of crafting and creativity from her mom; and a lifelong connection to the first responder community she proudly serves. Those pieces came together to form a shop that honors the people behind the badges, boots, radios, and rigs — with designs that celebrate their grit, their heart, and their ability to laugh through the chaos. Witty Whit’s Designs focuses on stickers, magnets, and apparel — including t‑shirts, hoodies, and crew necks — featuring original designs for police officers, firefighters, emergency medical professionals, corrections officers, and probation officers.
Where Whitney Comes From
Whitney was born in Jacksonville, Florida, raised in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, and later in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. Her connection to public safety began early. From 1991 to 2001, her father served as a Reserve Police Officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, finishing his tenure in the aviation unit. Whitney still remembers hearing the helicopter pass over the house and running outside to wave — a small moment that sparked a lifelong love for the profession.
Education, Career & The Life Behind the Badge
Whitney is a proud graduate of Carroll University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice — and met her husband, Adam, who works in law enforcement. Adam holds multiple certifications, including drone operator, boat operator, and bicycle patrol, and remains one of Whitney’s biggest supporters. As their relationship grew, so did their shared commitment to public safety. Their engagement photos capture that blend of love, partnership, and the world they both work in — a reminder that behind every badge is a family that serves too.
Whitney later earned her Master of Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University, continuing to deepen her understanding of the profession she loves. Today, when she’s not designing new merchandise or expanding Witty Whit’s creative offerings, Whitney works full‑time as a 911 dispatcher. She lives the job, breathes the job, and understands the humor, stress, and camaraderie that define it — which is exactly why her designs resonate so deeply with first responders and their families.
The Heart of the Brand
Witty Whit’s Designs carries the slogan: “Boots, Badges, and a Bit of Sass.” It’s more than a tagline — it’s the mission. This shop exists to honor those who serve with courage and integrity, celebrate the families who support them, acknowledge the stress, sacrifice, and unseen moments of the job, and bring humor to a profession that desperately needs it. Every sticker, magnet, t‑shirt, hoodie, and crew neck is crafted with intention: a blend of respect, authenticity, and the kind of sarcasm only a dispatcher‑turned‑designer could deliver.
First responders face danger, trauma, and unpredictability every day. Whitney’s goal is to give them — and the people who love them — something that feels like a deep breath, a knowing nod, or a well‑timed laugh. Witty Whit’s Designs is more than a shop. It’s a tribute. It’s a community. It’s a little bit of therapy wrapped in a whole lot of sass.
