By JOHN INGOLDSBY
Engagement Insider
ROCHESTER HILLS, MI April 30, 2014 – Tight End Tory Humphrey is taking multi-tasking to a whole new level.
As he marks the one-year anniversary of his successful graphic design business and begins year two, he also is about to embark upon a three-month NFL Player Engagement (NFLPE) internship with a Michigan advertising agency, while at the same time getting his graphic design degree from the Art Institute of Michigan in Troy by the end of 2014.
And it all started with job shadowing opportunities provided by the NFLPE Career Development Program while he was playing with the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, and Oakland Raiders.
“The NFLPE arranged for three one-day job shadows at advertising agencies, where I did copywriting and slogans for mock print ads and then got their feedback on my work, all while making many contacts,” said the member of the Saints Super Bowl-winning team. “Player Engagement was very helpful when I reached out to them regarding my interest in graphic design, and they contacted companies where I could do job shadows, and generally just helped me out so much in getting started.”
That start was actually foreshadowed during his four years of playing for Central Michigan University.
“I first went to school in 2001 majoring in computers with a minor in advertising, where I did a little graphic design,” recalled Humphrey. “Then when I went to school in Troy and started entering and winning crowd sourcing contests, I did some graphic design work for my church, working with my wife Ebony doing T-shirts, logos, and that sort of thing.”
That grew into his current company, called Project 1 Design LLC (www.project1d.com), where the T-shirt side of the business is growing fast, while he also continues to do logo development, copywriting, and other design work as well.
“The first year since opening last April went well, and I design everything while my wife Ebony seeks additional clients,” he noted, adding that his NFL connection is a powerful tool.
A true team, and one that is working well with his NFL background serving as a powerful tool.
“We go to trade shows together, where we display my work samples and also the book my wife wrote, called ‘Inside the Locker Room: The Journey of Faith and the Power of Prayer,’” said Humphrey. “More often than not, seeing the book transitions into talk of my NFL career, which has helped build the business.”
The NFL connection has also helped in other ways.
“Having come from a small school, I was just trying to make the teams, but I developed relationships with teammates where we still bounce around business ideas today,” said the Saginaw native. “I also remain connected by helping current and former players with T-shirts they can use for football camps this summer, or any other design needs they may have, like logos, posters, flyers, banners, business cards and invitations.”
So much to do, but not too much for this multi-tasking time management expert.
“I start my Player Engagement internship in mid-May at an ad agency here in Michigan, where I will work part-time 12 hours a week with two six-hour days,” he stated. “That will still give me plenty of time for my business and school work.”