MORGANTOWN – Tottico, inspired by the Greek word meaning “local,” is the name of a company committed to 100% locally designed and manufactured garments.
That’s the description the brand offers on its website, and it’s part of the pitch the company’s founder – WVU research assistant professor Yihong Li – will make on Nov. 12 in Clarksburg’s Robinson Grand Theater.
Li and Tottico have been selected as one of five new businesses to present before judges and a voting audience at the third annual The Tank Entrepreneur Pitch Contest organized by the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.
Yihong Li
This is the first year the competition is open to would-be magnates from beyond the borders of Harrison County. The chosen contestants will represent Harrison, Marion, Monongalia and Preston counties.
The winner of The Tank will take home $10,000 in cash and more than $30,000 in financial guidance, mentorship, advertising and other business services.
Li said she heard of the competition through a monthly West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem meeting and felt compelled to give it a shot.
“I worked in the textile industry for over 10 years and also led some committees within the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, so that helped me know a lot of U.S.-based manufacturers. Especially after the COVID time and with all the travels overseas to see the manufacturers on the other side, I do feel that urgency and importance to bring the textile manufacturers back into the country,” Li said. “That was my heartfelt motivation to start this company. On the flipside, I think the customers also want to have some high quality, uniquely designed garments to wear. That’s what I’m going to present.”
Li said she initially started Tottico in North Carolina less than two years ago before moving to Morgantown. She said her investment into the company initially waned following the move, but the entrepreneurial enthusiasm has returned following recent time spent in China.
“Since I came back, I really want to start to focus my energy on entrepreneurship. That’s why I started again,” she said. “Besides the textile business, I’m also planning to start an energy business.”
The company is part of WVU’s Vantage Ventures business startup program.
This winter, Tottico is launching a limited-edition beanie collection designed by WVU fashion students. In the spring, the brand will begin developing a series of garments for the 2026 graduation season.
As part of the company’s promotional materials, Li says it’s critical the clothing industry move away from outsourced mass production and toward sustainable, ethical, locally rooted manufacturing.
“For me, Tottico is more than a business – it’s a movement to restore pride in American textiles and empower the next generation of creators.”
