Meet Branding Entrepreneur Nate Truax
FIDM Graduate Nate Truax is the founder of Truax Branding Company, a design and print agency offering services such as full packaging and label design, merchandise fulfillment, and identity systems.
Born and raised in Orange County, California, Nate first heard about FIDM through friends and co-workers while working at the influential retail store, The Closet, in Newport Beach. "I’ve always been creative, but I definitely wanted to start my own business," he explained. "After some assessment and checking out the campus, I decided I wanted something more well rounded, so I chose Apparel Industry Management. I liked how the degree involved design as well manufacturing."
Before striking out on his own, Nate worked at famed apparel companies such as Tankfarm Clothing (now Anderson Brothers Design & Supply) with Mike and John Anderson, Lost Surf with Joel Cooper who founded Gotcha, and Athletic Recon with Ryan Heuser who started Paul Frank. After gaining experience and confidence, Nate launched Truax Branding Company, which "brings cutting edge design and the highest quality goods delivered in full and on time for the men and women of the service and trade industry."
"I actually run two separate companies under the same roof," he says. "Nate Truax Creative is more of the design side of thing where I create everything from beer labels to clothing lines. Truax Branding Co is the manufacturing part of the business does fulfillment past the designs that I create. I’ve got a partner that helps run production and shipping." Nate says that freedom is the best part of running his own business, and that it takes dedication and hard work (oftentimes more hours than at a typical job) to live your dream.
In addition to real world experience in the industry, Nate had the right foundation for a successful career. "FIDM really showed me the reality of the industry and prepared me for what to expect," he explains. "This industry can be glamourous and beautiful but there's a whole other side in manufacturing and business that includes hard work, sweat, and tears to get things finished up and shipped on time."
Visit truaxbrandingco.com and natetruax.com to learn more.
Categories: Apparel Industry Management
