The Creative Geek

Creative Anime, Gaming, and Pop Culture Apparel

We’d like to introduce The Creative Geek, a one-stop-shop for gaming and anime-themed tees, accessories, hats, and more! The Creative Geek is owned and operated by Trey Bates, a Houston native and ultra-talented gamer, artist, and graphic designer. Each of his featured products is unique and expressive of his passion for anime, video games, and pop culture. To learn more about Trey and his creative brand, check out our interview with him below.

Trey, what is your background?

I attended Booker T Washington High School here in Houston before going to The University of Texas-San Antonio for undergrad. There I received a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a focus on Marketing. After working in territorial and small business sales for some big companies such as Grainger and Dell Computers in Austin, I realized that wasn’t the type of work/sales I wanted to be doing and moved back to Houston. Back in Houston, I started working in the educational world while learning and strengthening my graphic design and art skills. I also obtained my Masters of Education (M.Ed) focused on Higher Education and Adult Administration at The University of Houston – Victoria. At the same time, I created The Creative Geek to fill the creative and geek void I had been feeling for so long. I wanted an outlet to create the anime and gaming fandom I’ve always loved but always kept to myself but wanted to express.

After working in admissions for Lone Star College and Texas Southern University, I moved into the tech world working for WeWork as the Admissions Director for the Houston, Austin, and Dallas Campuses of the third software developer school called Flatiron School. While I was there, I continued to design and take courses to strengthen my craft. After leaving WeWork, I became a Data Analyst on the HR team for a global company called Bureau Veritas. With this job, I have so much more flexibility to keep growing my The Creative Geek so that someday I’ll be able to do it full time!

Why should a customer choose your products as opposed to others?

Well, I’d say give mine a try because they are all handmade drawn, straight to the point designs that allow you to show your geekdom and fandom without doing the most. Also, all of my apparel is as comfortable as it gets as far as breathability and true to size fit!

What made you want to start this business?

I started The Creative Geek because I’ve always been a die-hard fan of all things anime, gaming, and pop culture. However,  I never knew how to express my passion or felt comfortable expressing my geekdom where I grew up. Once I found a way to create a type of “if you know, you know” designs type store, I knew that was my way to truly be myself to the world.

What advantages come with owning your business?

I think the biggest advantage of having your brand and business like mine is that you’re able to express yourself and make money by doing so at the same time. So the more you invest in your work and learning how to develop your brand, from the business, marketing, and advertising side to the festive and artistic side, the more stressful it will get.

Where do you see The Creative Geek in the following years?

In the next year, I would like to sponsor and co-sponsor a lot more gaming tournaments in the Houston and Greater Houston area as well as vending at gaming and anime style conventions around the area. I also would love to vend throughout all of the amazing festivals Houston has to offer while assuring and creating a comfortable space for not only geeks, but geeks of color to be comfortable in their geek skin. It’s all about promoting positive and self-worth for me personally.

What is your mission statement?

To The Casual Geek: BE. YOU.

The Creative Geek is a brand that is open to any and everyone that has love and passion for all things geek!

What are the biggest issues for running your gaming shirts and anime apparel business?

The biggest issue for me as a business owner would have to be gaining the exposure of the big established corporations that have proven themselves in this arena and have the financial backing and fan base to prove it. What I’ve learned though is that no matter how small, if you make an impact on someone or a group of people, you will grow and become exactly where you want to be. Have a good and true heart and do your best to do good by everyone else and all things are possible.

Do you have employees?

I currently am a one-man band as far as having employees so it can be a lot at times. Hopefully in the future, once the brand has outgrown what I can do as a single individual, I will add new members to the squad.

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