Today we’d like to introduce you to Ugens T. Toussaint.
Ugens T., we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been someone who loves creating and solving problems. That really started when I joined the NAACP FSU chapter and worked for the school newspaper, FSView, while studying Studio Art with a focus in Graphic Design at Florida State. I didn’t just learn design tools there, I learned how to think visually and tell stories through creative work.
After school, I began working full time in the health insurance and policy industry. Eventually I decided to move from West Palm Beach to Atlanta, where I was introduced to the startup environment in Buckhead. That led to me landing a position at HOA Brands, which was formerly Hooters’ headquarters before their recent bankruptcy. My time there taught me how to listen, adapt quickly, and take full ownership of bringing projects to life. Around that time I also started freelancing, which grew even more before and during Covid. Freelancing allowed me to expand my portfolio to include well-known brands like McDonald’s, Honda Marine, and Experian, as well as smaller businesses like Mama Ramsay Desserts.
Today I serve as Senior Vice President of Operations and Marketing for a non-profit organization called the Health and Voluntary Benefits Association. My role allows me to bring together creativity and strategy. I manage national newsletters, design marketing campaigns, oversee websites, and help set up live conference events. At the same time, I continue to take on freelance projects in industries like trucking, podcasting, and youth sports branding, because I enjoy the variety and the chance to make an impact in different spaces.
If I had to sum up how I got here, I’d say it’s by staying open to opportunities, paying attention to details, and always keeping that drive to create work that is both meaningful and effective. Outside of work, I love traveling and hiking, and I’m also focused on building a family and buying a home with my partner. Those personal goals keep me grounded and remind me why I push myself in everything I do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges early on was learning to take chances and bet on myself. Moving from Florida to Atlanta wasn’t easy because I came without knowing if I would even find work. Luckily, I had a close college friend, Ravel Dupiton, who gave me a place to stay until I got on my feet. I remember applying to about 15 jobs a day during that first week in Atlanta until I finally landed a position at Insightpool. The startup world in Buckhead was fast-paced and unpredictable, and there were plenty of moments where I had to figure things out on the fly.
There were also stretches, especially during Covid, when work slowed down or projects suddenly fell through, and I had to adapt quickly to keep moving forward. When I started my own LLC, I had to push through a lot of personal doubts. I had to remind myself that I belonged in every room I walked into, and that even if my ideas weren’t always the ones chosen, my presence still mattered.
Looking back, those struggles shaped me. They taught me resilience, the importance of building systems to stay organized, staying open to learning, and how to keep creating even in the face of rejection or setbacks. The road hasn’t been smooth, but every bump has pushed me to grow in ways I never would have if everything had gone according to plan.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
One of my favorite childhood shows was MacGyver. Not the remake, but the original with Richard Dean Anderson. Growing up, it taught me how important it is to take whatever you have and turn it into something new that solves the problem in front of you. That mindset has really carried into my work today.
I sit at the intersection of creativity and strategy. I manage national newsletters, design marketing collateral, build websites, edit video, and help bring large conference events to life. On the freelance side, I take on projects in industries like trucking, podcasting, and youth sports branding. That variety keeps me sharp because I’m constantly solving different kinds of challenges, whether it’s making a corporate report engaging or building a brand identity from scratch.
I specialize in design first and marketing operations second. People know me for being able to take complex projects with a lot of moving parts and make them both functional and visually impactful. What sets me apart is that I don’t just design or market for the sake of it. I build processes, create consistency, and make sure the creative work also drives results.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
If I had to give advice to someone just starting out, I’d say don’t be afraid to bet on yourself and take chances, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. When I first moved to Atlanta, I didn’t know if I would find work, but applying to jobs every day and putting myself out there opened doors I never could have planned for.
I’d also say focus on building relationships, not just your portfolio. That’s something I wish I did more of in the beginning. Some of the biggest opportunities I’ve had came from people who believed in me and gave me a chance. Having people in your corner can matter just as much as your skills. You never know who’s watching, so it’s best to treat everyone well. And never burn bridges, because in business a lot of things aren’t personal.
Another lesson is to get comfortable with rejection and setbacks. There will be moments where a project falls through or an idea you’re proud of doesn’t land, especially on social media. In those moments, it’s important to remember that your value isn’t defined by one outcome. Keep learning, keep building, and keep creating. Trust the process and stay open, because growth doesn’t happen on a straight path.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fr3shlamp
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ugens-toussaint-183195a1
- Other: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mRF0Y6Np_lPC9FsJ5aoRcgwY3HjYU1uw?usp=sharing
Image Credits
all images were taken by me.
