Convergence Corner: How Domonique Downing’s Background in Science Fuels Her Print & Promo Career
With a PhD in chemistry and a past working for Coca-Cola, Downing relies on the scientific method to troubleshoot problems and drive an eco-friendly approach at her Big Frog Custom T-Shirts franchise.
Domonique Downing is no stranger to the scientific method.
In a previous life, Downing used her PhD in chemistry as a scientist for Coca-Cola, specializing in sustainable packaging. Even during that time, she had one foot in the promotional products space as a side hustle doing T-shirts and other promos for friends and customers. It allowed her to use both sides of her brain.
“I am a scientist. I enjoy that part of my career and life, but I also have a very creative side as well,” Downing says. “I’ve always been into painting, arts and crafts, crocheting. I got into sewing during the pandemic. I’ve always had an itch to focus on that creative side.”
Now leaning fully into that side of her mind, Downing recently opened a Big Frog Custom T-shirts & More franchise in Fayetteville, GA, using her experience not only as someone with a past in promo, but knowing the importance of sustainability thanks to her education and previous job.
“Regardless of the space that you’re in, there is waste and there are things you can do to minimize waste,” Downing says, “[including] making sure you’re using the right materials if at all possible, and then making sure the processes that you’re using are not only economically feasible, but that you’re doing the best you can for the world.”
She recognizes that the promo world is at a point where it has an opportunity to push sustainable initiatives through items like apparel, bags and packaging.
With her unique career trajectory, Downing has found that her training as a scientist has influenced the way she goes about her business as she gets her Big Frog franchise off the ground, implementing the scientific method to troubleshoot problems that arise. She even goes as far as to call that “fun.”
“In my short time in the promotional space, we’ve run into some problems with technology,” she says. “Sometimes certain colors don’t print as well, so we have to fight through that challenge. Oddly enough, sometimes we just take a step back, breathe, go back to basics, and then even apply the scientific method. What’s our problem? What’s our hypothesis? What are a couple variables we can test?”
Key Takeaways
• Career Path: Domonique Downing transitioned from being a sustainable packaging scientist at Coca-Cola to owning Big Frog Custom T-Shirts in Fayetteville, GA. Her background in chemistry and sustainability shapes her business approach, emphasizing eco-friendly practices and materials.
• Sustainability Focus: Downing emphasizes the importance of using eco-friendly materials and ensuring that vendors and customers are committed to sustainable practices.
• Transparency & Integrity: She highlights the need for transparency to combat greenwashing and build trust with customers.
• Personal Responsibility: Downing believes that everyone can contribute to sustainability by making informed choices in their personal lives.
• Community Involvement: She encourages joining organizations and advocating for sustainability at local and national levels.
• Collective Impact: Downing stresses that individual efforts, when combined, can have a significant positive impact on the environment.
• Educational Outreach: Downing suggests educating customers on how to properly dispose of or recycle packaging and promoting sustainable clothing options, even if they are currently more expensive.