We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tina R. Dawson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tina R. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Going from Idea to Execution: The Birth of CraftConnect Expo

For years, I noticed a frustrating pattern— every major crafting event or creative conference in Metro Atlanta seemed to take place on the north side of town: Alpharetta, Duluth, Cobb, Gwinnett. Meanwhile, those of us on the east side — Conyers, Covington, Lithonia, etc. — have just as much talent & passion but aren’t catered to in our area.

One day after yet another long drive to a crafting event, I said to a fellow embroiderer, “Why are we always going to them? Why doesn’t anyone come to us?” That conversation became a turning point. I started researching and quickly discovered that no major crafting expo had ever been held on the East side of town (Rockdale & Newton Counties) and that lit a fire in me.

As someone who’s been in business for 16 years, I knew I had to create the opportunity. I remembered Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC), a venue I had once explored for my daughter’s high school graduation party. When I reached out, not only was the event space available—it had just been remodeled. I knew instantly this was it.

I tapped into my extensive network and formed a team. We brainstormed, prayed, and strategized. The vision? A premier event where crafters network, grow, and connect with industry leaders, exhibitors, influencers, and business solution providers. We locked in the venue, did a walkthrough, and signed the contract. We even partnered with nearby Marriott hotels to secure room blocks for out-of-town guests. From there, we implemented Monday.com as our project management system to keep all the moving parts aligned and on track.

CraftConnect Expo will debut Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 12–6 PM at Georgia Piedmont Technical College in Covington, Georgia. We’ll have a vibrant exhibition hall filled with vendors and exhibitors, interactive classrooms, hands-on learning, and the kind of intentional networking that empowers makers, artists, and entrepreneurs alike.

This journey didn’t happen overnight. It took faith, resilience, relationships, and a whole lot of action. I truly believe that when God gives the vision, He provides the provision. And this vision is bigger than me—but it’s right on time for our community.

Tina R. Dawson
True Blu Designs, LLC

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Tina Dawson, and I’m the founder of True Blu Designs, a custom branding apparel & Accessories company that’s proudly served clients for over 16 years. What began as a creative passion has grown into a trusted brand specializing in custom branded apparel, accessories, and specialty gifts for your personal and business needs.

At True Blu Designs, we help individuals, entrepreneurs, and organizations bring their vision to life through high-quality embroidery, custom garments, promotional items, and unique, thoughtful gift options. Whether you’re preparing for a conference, celebrating a milestone, or outfitting your team—we make sure your brand or message shows up with excellence.

What sets us apart is our commitment to craftsmanship, personalization, and purpose. Every item we create is made with care and intention, because we believe your brand—and the moments you celebrate—deserve to be unforgettable.

One of the highlights of my journey is the launch of the CraftConnect Expo, a first-of-its-kind crafting experience coming to the east side of Atlanta. For far too long, creative events have overlooked this side of town. This Expo is about shifting the location of opportunity and building a space where makers, vendors, and industry leaders can come together, connect, and grow.

To anyone considering working with us or attending our events, here’s what I want you to know: At True Blu Designs, we take pride in helping you show up boldly—through custom pieces that speak to who you are and what you stand for. Your vision is worth investing in, and we’re honored to help you bring it to life. Let us give your creativity new wings!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely. One of the biggest pivots in my business journey came when I realized that the very name of my company—something I had poured my heart into—was unintentionally limiting my growth.

When I first launched my business, it was named True Blue Greek Designs. At the time, my primary focus was creating custom apparel and embroidered items for two Black Greek-letter organizations within the Divine Nine. It made sense—it was my niche, my community, and the work I loved to do. And for a while, it was enough.

But then something started happening: my customers would ask, “Do you know someone who does ______?”—fill in the blank with anything from custom birthday shirts to business logo embroidery. I would confidently respond, “I do that!” And time after time, they’d say, “Oh wow, I didn’t think of you… I thought you only made Greek stuff.”

That hit me. Hard.

I realized that one single word—”Greek”—in my business name was boxing me in. It was shaping perception, narrowing my reach, and unintentionally excluding audiences who could benefit from my full range of services. And no matter how much I said I could do more, people couldn’t see past the name.

So in January 2014, I made the bold decision to rebrand. I dropped the word “Greek” and renamed my business True Blu Designs. Just like that, the doors began to open. My customer base expanded almost overnight. I started getting calls for everything from custom wedding gifts to branded uniforms for small businesses. The business soared—and all because I removed a barrier I didn’t realize I had built.

The experience taught me something invaluable: a name matters. It sets the tone, defines perception, and creates boundaries—intentional or not. A name should give room for growth, not box you in.

That pivot was one of the most important and rewarding business decisions I’ve ever made. And I’m so glad I did it. Sometimes, the only thing standing between you and your next level… is one word.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Without a doubt—my character. Skill will get you noticed, but character will keep you trusted. And in business, trust is everything.

When True Blu Designs was just a seed—no logo, no storefront, just an idea—I’ll never forget what someone said to me. They looked me in the eye and said, “You will be successful because your character will get you into rooms that your money can’t.” That stuck with me. And I’ve carried it with me ever since.

Character is what you do when no one’s watching. It’s how you handle delays, mistakes, people, and pressure. And in a world where people can buy visibility, chase trends, and curate appearances, character is still the most valuable currency you own. It’s what builds real relationships, long-term clients, and opportunities that no marketing plan can manufacture.

I’ve had clients refer me, return to me, and root for me not just because they liked the product—but because they trusted the person behind it. And that’s the kind of reputation I want to build. Not just to be known, but to be respected.

That one quote—“your character will get you into rooms your money can’t”—keeps me grounded. It reminds me to never compromise my integrity for influence, and to stay true to the reason I started: to serve people well, create with purpose, and build a business that honors both my craft and my calling.

In every room I step into, I want to show up with excellence—but more importantly, I want to show up as myself. Because when the foundation is character, the legacy will last.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TrueBluDesigns.com
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/TrueBluDesigns
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrueBluDesigns
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/TinaRDawson
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/TrueBluDesigns09
• Other: https://www.Ticktock.com/TrueBluDesigns

Image Credits

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