Rising Stars: Meet Tre Woodard

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tre Woodard.

Hi Tre, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
It was during the pandemic when I noticed my friends, family members and coworkers were starting their own small businesses and it was so cool to see people doing these great things like creating their own clothing, baking delicious treats, making music and photographing beautiful events. I wanted to support them. I wanted to be a part of something special because I BELIEVED in each and every one of them. Then came the hype of selling their goods and services on social media. I save them posting things and advertising their latest items. So, I started sharing post and creating my own post of these items and making them flashy in my own creative way.

I took it a step further and started wearing the clothes, and tasting the food products, using their music for my post and even using the photography services taking Christmas pictures with the family. The small businesses saw my posts about them and asking me for feedback. Thats when it clicked. “How can I make it to where everyone can find these small businesses. With my background in Computer programming and graphic design I created the Tresoul Network. I have a background in advertising and retail marketing, so I started studying how each small business work and getting information and learning from them. The Tresoul Network became a website where you can visit small businesses and see who they are and where to find them. You get to know their story. It also serves as a place where new businesses can reach to people who are in the same field to exchange ideas or piggyback and learn from each other or even collaborate.

These small businesses aren’t just small businesses to me they’re like family, my community! We have personal relationships with each other, we trust and believe in each other and that’s how I wanted to set myself apart from other small business networks in my field.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t smooth at all in the beginning. I had to earn people’s trust and get them to believe in me and show them what kind of work I can do. I had to show each business what I can do and how they can benefit from either joining the network or just using my web or graphic design services. Finding my audience, who am I targeting? Looking for other small businesses and reaching out to them about their goods/services can be very difficult when it comes to social media. You have to have a sincere approach rather than just asking them to join a network. Everyone is SELLING something. Networking is takes time and you have to be patient and ask questions and see what their endgame is, and ask them “what I can do to help you on that journey.” What I don’t like about traditional networking is the predictability of it. Meeting up at events, make small talk, eat or have some drinks, exchange business cards. The hard part, THE GOAL is to simplify your approach by being upfront, kind and honest. Show genuine interest and show them what you can do. Let your work speak for yourself.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an artist first and foremost. That has always been my first love. I attended The Academy of Art University in San Francisco (formally Academy of Arts College), where I studied Fine Arts and Graphic Design, then I went to Laney College in Oakland, CA. and learned Intro to Computer Design and Graphic Arts Printing and lastly, I completed my journey attending The Universal of Phoenix where I received my certifications in Programming and Cyber Security.

All of that pretty much set the stage for me to do what I do best, and that’s be creative in designing logos and websites for my business. That’s what I’m known for; that’s the backbone of the Tresoul Network. It was my clientele that encouraged me and kept me motivated. It makes me very proud to see my clients displaying the work I’ve created for them. It’s trust, and the family atmosphere I share with my clients is what sets us apart from others who do what we do.

How do you think about happiness?
Watching my clients bring their dreams and ideas to life makes me happy. The fact that they reach out to me to help them see their visions become a reality means a lot to me. I tell everyone no idea is a bad idea. Jump out there and try something, no matter how farfetched it may seem. If you don’t try, you’ll never know what could have been or what could be. Trying and taking risks makes me happy. Every experience is a learning experience.

Pricing:

• $50 – Logos
• $250 – Website Designs – $100 a year to run it for you.
• $75 – Flyers
• $30 – Social Media Content

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tresoulnetwork.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thetresoulnetwork
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetresoulnetwork
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/TresoulNetwork

Image Credits
Interview cover photo by @changamiredombo80