"Me not being from Memphis, I think I was able to see the city with fresh eyes when I moved here. I saw a lot of opportunity. It's difficult when you've lived in one place for a long time, maybe all your life, to see the great things right where you are. A lot has happened in Memphis in the past to bring us to where we are now, and there are problems, especially when it comes to cultural and racial issues. But I think there are a lot of people, creative people, who want to take that and figure out, Okay, what’s next? How can we make our community flourish today? What can we do going forward? There are great people here who are interested and invested in what’s going on now. So for those who want to make this city better, who want to take advantage of opportunities: Research whatever you want to do. The information is available. I'm a designer and an entrepreneur. There's a lot of joy and satisfaction in doing the creative stuff, but it's the unsexy side, the unpretty side, that gives ideas a chance to live on. You have to do your research and learn how to get the word out, how to network, and how to market, but it's doable. Look on the Internet, check out YouTube videos. Everything you need to know is out there.
"The concept for 'Embrace Your Inner Memphis' came from a conversation I had with a friend. I sketched out the design, posted it on social media, it got more likes than probably any design I've ever done, and people started asking for it on shirts. That was last year, 2015, and it took off from there. It was a time when people were more pro-Memphis than they had been previously. They were actively choosing and embracing Memphis; there was new talent and new energy coming to the city. I think the design hit at a time when there was a surge of Memphis pride, It just added to that conversation."
"The concept for 'Embrace Your Inner Memphis' came from a conversation I had with a friend. I sketched out the design, posted it on social media, it got more likes than probably any design I've ever done, and people started asking for it on shirts. That was last year, 2015, and it took off from there. It was a time when people were more pro-Memphis than they had been previously. They were actively choosing and embracing Memphis; there was new talent and new energy coming to the city. I think the design hit at a time when there was a surge of Memphis pride, It just added to that conversation."
Eso Tolson, Partner / Creative Director at Cheers Creative
Illustrator / Graphic Designer / Creative Director at www.esotolson.com
Embrace Your Inner Memphis shirts are available at pop-up shops and at Stock & Belle, 387 S. Main.
Illustrator / Graphic Designer / Creative Director at www.esotolson.com
Embrace Your Inner Memphis shirts are available at pop-up shops and at Stock & Belle, 387 S. Main.
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