Sitting down to kick-off what will soon become my official “first blog post” ever, I twiddle my thumbs, going in circles as to how to start ….

SO HERE WE GO …

In case you are stumbling upon this from the deep depths of the Google trenches, I’d like to formally introduce myself. I am Timur Tugberk, a Washington, DC native, designer, entrepreneur, go-getter, bad ass bitch (from time to time), and overall hyper-active, hyper-motivated, LGBT individual.

WOW, not the tiniest bite to digest!

I am writing to introduce you to my business, Designing the District. We are a creative services agency that prides ourselves on taking a design philosophy to creative problem solving. I have built my business on a design education foundation, paired with over 15 years of professional experiences weaving in and out of disciplines from interior design, to event planning … social media marketing, to creative direction, urban planning, to go-to marketing IT healthcare solutions, to fashion styling and retail sales. I have been a founding member of a few LGBTQI non-profit organizations, a community philanthropist, a social figure, a host, a good friend, an engaged family member, and a passionate lover of life!

Being able to put my thoughts down to tell you my story has proven quite the struggle. I find, when speaking about oneself, I freeze up like a deer in headlights. Which is funny, as I am 100% not shy, very familiar in front of large crowds, speak publicly all the time, and am an outspoken, opinionated individual. This is why I am also launching my first blog article with a video, I am v comfy using video and I hope it’ll help explain myself … especially as I observe just how wordy I am being :-D I guess what this article signifies for me, is a further extension of being my authentic self in front of a limitless audience. This post may be the first, it may be rough, it may be super conversational, but no matter your observation or opinion, it is the first of many, many more.

I am SO PROUD to FINALLY launch my website. I have worked for myself for nearly 15 years (I can’t believe I am saying that), and this site feels like a BFD, at least to me. It solidifies the hard work, commitment to self, and future obligations to KEEP IT UP that goes into not only running your own business, maintaining it, marketing it, growing it, and retaining its pulse. Something I have become accustomed to as I do exactly this for a living: I build brands.

I started my own company in 2005 as T*squared (Timur Tugberk = TT = T^2). It was a super cute name that I was stoked to come up with. I remember using Vista Print to design and print my first business cards, which back in those days was a significant reflection of a legitimate business. I started this business as an event promotion and interior design brand; I began throwing my first LGBT weekly party on Monday nights in Georgetown at a private nightclub called Blue Gin. I was still finishing Interior Design school. at GWU when I began this, hence the ID component of my brand.

Over the subsequent decade, a story that will likely find its way either in a future (or many) blog post or in a memoire / book of mine <— this is a goal that I’d like to achieve BY 40! Throughout this decade, I took it upon myself to dive into a variety of professional selves to find my true self, my gifts, my preferred working style, and what it was I am legit good at. I may or may not still be doing this, although I feel very passionate about business ownership, making my own schedule, creating a diverse array of subject matters, and working with so many unique individuals … this truly gives me ALL THE LIFE, EVERYDAY!

It has been about 3 years since I returned back to my hometown of Washington, DC from years in California … chasing and building upon a longterm dream of mine that literally came crashing down to the ground. Sound dramatic, definitely a series of chapters in my future book … definitely something that changed my life (mostly, for the better), 100% something I am happy to talk about and share … I believe when you have a life-altering experience, it is best to hone in on the universe’s specific message from it, and to share the valuable lessons you learned from it.

I believe my business, Designing the District, is a manifestation and an extension of just that. When I decided to choose happiness over money, execution over recognition, and autonomy over comfort, that was when Designing the District was born. I must admit, when I lost everything, pieced myself back together, regain confidence, and then decided to take a chance soon after all of that on JUST MYSELF, I concretely knew this was the right decision for me.

I promise I won’t leave you hanging with questions like "WTF HAPPENED, TIMUR?” Many of you know a lot about my story, I try to keep it real all the time both in person and on social media. For those of you who do not, please follow along! I promise to continue sharing my perspective, opinions, experience, and inspiration to you all every single day.

I live my life and run my business by the mottos: GET SHIT DONE, GET CHIC DONE, and most importantly DON’T QUIT YOUR DAYDREAM!

I am pumped to share with you my interests, my work, my friends, my beloved family, and my world through this awesome new website. I am really nervous about what this type of commitment to myself, my time, you all, and your feedback will bring to me … but, I’ve never backed down from a challenge, especially when it’s a goal I’ve bestowed upon myself.

Stay tuned as I begin to learn more innovative ways to share my stories, design content for you all, and to bring you joy.

WELCOME TO DESIGNING THE DISTRICT