Today we’d like to introduce you to Terrance Omar.
Terrance, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up one of my favorite places to be was at my friend’s mother’s printshop. In the fourth grade, her mother showed me the basics of desktop publishing and I was in love. I already had a natural love for writing so adding computer-aided designs was fascinating to me. My mother and older siblings made sure I had a computer and internet access in the very early days and the rest is history.
I worked in various editorial roles from middle school through college for newspapers. I didn’t have a traditional high-school experience, whereas I got my GED at age 16 and enrolled in college at Prairie View A&M University where I double-majored in Architecture and mass communications. PVAMU didn’t have a graphic design program or even classes so I enrolled at then Cy-Fair college where I took Visual Communications classes on evenings and weekends in addition to attending PVAMU. During this time I started picking up various freelance work both on campus for departments, and for friends. I also got really involved with photography which was a game-changer. My late father and grandfather, along with my mother all were entrepreneurs so it was no surprise that the bug bit me.
I landed a job working for a school district in the Houston area in which my role was to help develop a social media strategy for the district in the very early days of social media. I worked for several local publications in the Greater Houston area and did freelance contract design work. Honestly landing a good position was difficult because of my age and race. At 20 years old I made a bold choice to open my own agency and get an office space. I found a realtor Kristi Jackson whom I’m still close friends with today and I consider one of the best in the business of marketing and branding. I was 20 years old with my own boutique design, marketing, and public relations firm.
I relocated to Dallas in 2010 for a job position in which exposed me to a different market. My business has grown leaps and bounds, but I’m still a one-man show with the exception of my sister Elissa who is my business and logistics manager for the online store and my customer products and apparel. My business is even based in Houston and Dallas now.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has been far from easy. For years I suffered from extreme depression and anxiety in silence. That has taken a tremendous toll on my business at times. In 2015 I had a cancer scare that required treatment and lifestyle changes. Ultimately therapy, a supportive partner, family, and friends have made the road much smoother. I’ve also had difficulties in time management, production issues and overall running a business with various moving parts on my own. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world. Every challenge and struggle has been worth it.
Trademark Creative – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Trademark Creative is a full-scale visual communication frim. Our motto is taking your brand to new heights. I also have my own apparel line in which I specialize in HBCU apparel and the Uppity Negro Brand, where we are unapologetically Black and express that with custom apparel. From websites to corporate photography we do it all. I am most proud that I’ve been able to be in the game for almost two decades and that I’ve become an expert to trends and what’s new with marketing, branding, and technology.
I’m also proud to help small businesses and various institutions and organizations reach new heights in branding and communication. I think on of the things that set us aside from everyone is while we have a niche, we find a way to make what we do work for everyone that wants or needs to work with us. Also, for me to become that man that I never saw (besides Marcus Graham on Boomerang) in person and give back to the next generation is something I’m extremely proud of.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as truly being happy in your own space. I feel successful because I am in complete control of my happiness and doing what I love with people I want to work with. If the energy is wrong, I am fortunate to be in the position to say no or walk away. My personal makers when it comes to success comes every time someone seeks my service or advice. This year I had a major marker\milestone, I was able to take a one-month-long vacation during the summer in which I traveled for a full month doing minimal work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.trademrkcreativetx.com
- Phone: 2813181385
- Email: trademark.creativetx@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trademarkcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrademarkCreativeAgency/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerranceOmar
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terranceomargilbert/
Image Credit:
Terrance Omar
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