Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Davis-Thompson.
Hi Leslie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
Before I even started this journey, I was a mother of 2 and I worked in ophthalmology for over 20 years. In 2007 my youngest daughter Robynn died suddenly. After that, everything changed and my perspective on the importance of things changed. I lived and had my career to survive, not to necessarily be happy. After my daughter died and going through the long grief journey dealing with the loss of my child and the pain/abandonment from a fresh divorce, I felt that I needed to be happy and to do something that I wanted to do. One of the first things I did was form Angels in Flight Inc. which is an online organization for grieving parents. (website is being redesigned at the moment but the group is also on Facebook) After going through the things I went through I wanted to make sure that I could offer perspective to other grieving parents.
I have always been creative, and always designed things. I started “Designer Lines” in the late 90s as a hobby, I created slide shows and stationery.
In 2008 I began my business “The Yarn Diva” (after learning to knit to curb stress from the loss of my daughter) in which I make customized knitted/crocheted items. This business was my first and is ongoing, The Yarn Diva is well-received all over the US and has also acquired international clients as well in Britain, Austria, and Japan to name a few.
After working with a friend on a few design projects, I decided to take my graphic design talents to a professional level, and that is where TM Graphics was born. I have seen many people struggle with representing their businesses with professional-looking marketing as well as attending events that needed creative elements such as backdrops, slideshows, and memorials. I enjoy helping others and enjoy the ability to be creative. Since establishing my business in 2017.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Dealing with the loss of my daughter almost destroyed me. The thing about losing a child is that people attack you all the time. People who you thought were friends change and abandon you, and family avoids you, when you lose a child you need all the support you can find but sadly usually that isn’t the case. Dealing with the grief journey and abandonment from that and then becoming an entrepreneur, was hard. Becoming an entrepreneur one goes through similar struggles: trying to find your place while dealing with negative commentary, nonsupportive comments, etc.
Also when I first began, I had to learn a lot of hard lessons to safeguard myself against those with dishonest intentions, but over time I found my direction.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the owner of TM Graphics. My expertise lies in the areas of digital marketing, branding for small businesses, graphic design and website development, e-commerce, print marketing, and advertising. With more than a decade of experience in sales, marketing, and advertising, I opened Treasured Memories Graphics in 2016, LT Photography in 2018, and Graphic Xpressions in 2020. Also, I have created a successful knitting and crocheting business known as The Yarn Diva, which was started in 2008 and has expanded internationally.
Treasured Memories Graphics (TM Graphics) continues to grow and evolve to accommodate the needs of my rapidly growing client base. TM Graphics includes graphic design, web design, business branding, printing, staging, photography, and more! TM Graphics has separate divisions: The Yarn Diva, TM Graphics, Graphic Expressions, TM Memorials, and Leslie Thompson Photography.
I am known for branding businesses and organizations. I am proud of my clientele and seeing the growth and success of my clients. I am very detail-oriented and I give my clients 100% of my effort.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Don’t second guess what you know, stick to your pricing. Always have a contract, terms & conditions in place.
Always get payment, and don’t let anyone sweet talk you into paying you later or promise “exposure”.
Always continue to believe in yourself and don’t give up. Keep going, even if things seem bleak (no sales, no clients) keep going, and it will work out.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tmgraphics.rocks
- Instagram: @Treasured_Memories_Graphics
- Facebook: Treasured Memories Graphics, The Yarn Diva, Leslie Thompson Photography, Angels In Flight Inc., Graphic Xpressions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treasuredmemoriesgraphics/
- Twitter: @treas_mem
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7w2wcmPnIsOdB9CYNpl4_Q
- Other: https://lesliecthompsondesign.com/
