We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrick T Cooper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Patrick T , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?
The School of Hard Knocks has allowed me to matriculate and grow in more ways than one. There was a time that I would change on a slip, blip or bump along my entrepreneurial journey. With that said though, the ride has been fantastically phenomenal. While in graduate school at DePaul University, I was exposed to an idea that continues to have a profound impact on me: SOARING WITH YOUR STRENGTHS WHLIE MAINTAINING YOUR WEAKNESSES!
This concept is a constant in my thought process. Often, I feel we attempt to master, multitask and attempt to manipulate the many variables in life. Do what you are best at performing! Stay in your lane, and constantly sharpen your skills and ministry to be the absolute best you can be. In other words, if you are not good at administrative tasks, hire an assistant. If you struggle with numbers and law, be sure to hire a kick ass tax attorney. Soar with your strengths.
It’s simple! In the world of business, you don’t have to be a jack of all trades and master of none!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well, my career began as a fashion stylist then quickly propelled to celebrity fashion stylist. I’ve always liked telling stories with clothing. My innate abilities to interpret colors, shapes and silhouettes have carried me throughout my career. My eye, attention to detail and the ability to envision the invisible are the tools that contributed to my title becoming multi-hyphenated today. I have had fun and mastered my craft which often leads to clients increasing their expectations and responsibilities. I used to be afraid of sharing all my attributes because so many people want to glamorize or be defined by titles. To me, my titles are nothing but notches of my growth as an artist. My name is my best title– Patrick T Cooper. However, as stated earlier I wear multiple hats, CREATIVE DIRECTOR | SWIMWEAR DESIGNER | AVID TRAVELER | AUTHOR | PODCASTER | EMISSARY & CEO
At any given time, you will find me consulting with marketing and branding clients under my firm LIVE IN COLOR AGENCY. You will also find me designing swimwear under my brand Trunks by Patrick T Cooper. Additionally, you will find me sharing my journey on my podcast, Coming Out the Closet, which has a simple goal to be a source of encouragement to mankind. Finally, if you read closely between the bylines of multiple publications across the United States of America you will find my written imprint as a journalist where I celebrate ART, TRAVEL, FASHION, LGBTQIA, LUXURY, LIFESTYLE, and AFRICAN AMERICAN & MINORITY EXPERIENCES!
“Being a trailblazer isn’t enough if we don’t encourage others to find and live in their purpose!”
—Patrick T Cooper
“Being a trailblazer isn’t enough if we don’t encourage others to find and live in their purpose!”
—Patrick T Cooper
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Never under estimate WORD OF MOUTH! People will talk about you when you do excellent work and people will talk when they have an awful experience. Operating in excellence and forgetting the notion of perfection is what I think has sustained me in the market. Moreover in a sea of communication tools text, email or smoke signals clients will always smile upon a consultant taking the time to explain their position, approach and timeline in business..
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think artist and creatives are terribly underpaid & under valued like teachers! While teachers cultivate the minds of the world most precious gift in our children. We as artist are catalyst of change charged with further the human race with thought provoking concept and ideation. Most people don’t reciprocate the value of an artist Think about it Picasso sold paintings for pizza. To that end art and creators are seen as arbitrary!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.patricktcooper.com/ http://trunks.patricktcooper.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricktcooper/?hl=en & https://www.instagram.com/trunksbypatricktcooper/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatrickTCooper & https://www.facebook.com/trunksbypatricktcooper
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricktcooper/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatrickTCooper & https://twitter.com/trunksbyptc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB8O7eKcEnUQePvdmSR-tWA
Image Credits
I need to get you high resolution imagery of the swimwear Credit: Trunks by Patrick T Cooper