The Secret Life of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø: Tommy Hines
We can’t brag enough about our biggest competitive advantage: Our people. They’re some of the smartest, most talented, most interesting people on the planet – and we’re not exaggerating. In fact, if you knew even half the things our employees are up to in their spare time, it would blow your mind.The all-new The Secret Life of ²ÝÁñÉçÇø series reveals some of the coolest things our employees are doing outside of work. (Read: This is where we blow your mind.)
Secret Life: Tommy Hines
²ÝÁñÉçÇø Designer/Business Partner of Marshawn Lynch
Originally from Louisville, KY, Tommy is a self-taught web designer and has been a star at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø for almost 2 years. Outside of work, he’s an avid fisherman and golfer, although "I do get really weird looks every time I walk into a clubhouse with these tattoos," according to him.Oh, he also happens to partner with of the Seattle Seahawks and helped build his signature brand.
Q: What exactly do you do at Beast Mode?
A: I handle all of the design – social media ads, marketing materials, clothing graphics, website design. I also manage inventory and shipping with our distributor and customer support.
Q: So, all of that – ON TOP OF an ²ÝÁñÉçÇø schedule?
A: My day-to-day is always hectic; there’s nothing set. I leave work at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and immediately head home to work on new Beast Mode product designs, graphics, etc. and get items prepped and ready for the next few days.
Q: How did you get into this?
A: One of my good friends from college is Marshawn’s marketing agent. After last year’s Super Bowl win, he called and said Marshawn wanted to start the brand and needed a designer. I know absolutely nothing about fashion but figured I’d take a stab at it. I did some basic tee & hoodie mockups, logo designs and website design, and he liked it. Flew me to San Francisco and we hit it off. We’ve been working together ever since. In the beginning it was just the 3 of us (Marshawn, myself, and my buddy Devin), but recently we partnered up with a powerhouse consultancy group in the fashion & media industry.
Q: What’s the coolest thing about working with Beast Mode?
A: My favorite thing about doing this is seeing the monumental growth - starting with a few hoodies and progressing into the massive demand we’ve seen this week. Our motive for the brand and the growth is to be able to give back to youth in his hometown of Oakland, so a lot of what we design for and our concepts are geared to helping and inspiring people – not just athletes.
Q: What’s been your favorite thing to work on so far?
A: My favorite thing I’ve worked on is all the last minute Super Bowl outfits for Marshawn I had to finish before our company trip. Especially the flashy gold and silver foil outfits – they make a statement.And of course the hats with New Era – I loved our collaboration with them. I sent them the designs and for once, someone else had to worry about the execution. Just wait until you see our SB products coming out…
Q: What’s something about Marshawn not many people know?
A: He’s the same person on the field as off. He loves kids. He eats Skittles. And he’s hard to get ahold of – luckily I’m not one of the people who calls with bad news. Just pretty drawings for him to look at.
Q: Anything else about YOU we don't know?
A: Although I do this in my spare time, I still love working at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø and have no plans to leave anytime soon, despite the Brand’s newfound success. Oh, and I also love Skittles…
Q: Super Bowl score prediction:
A: 28 –21 Seahawks win. Marshawn with 1 TD.
Check out Tommy’s work at , or view his personal portfolio