Meet the Member: Braindead Customs

Interviewee:

Tom (he/him) and Tianna (She/Her)

In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.

In 2016, Braindead was born out of Tom’s unwavering passion for creating a brand that wholeheartedly embraces the spirit of Halloween, horror, pop culture, and nostalgia. Our journey commenced with enchanting enamel pins, which soon evolved to encompass clothing and a range of captivating collectibles.

The name ‘Braindead’ carries profound significance. It was born from a cherished song and a fond jest that Tom experienced throughout his life. Friends, family, and teachers often playfully referred to him as ‘braindead.’ Rather than viewing this as a negative label, we saw it as an opportunity to transform it into something positive. Now, ‘Braindead’ embodies our distinctive and electrifying designs that consistently leave people awestruck, as if their minds are momentarily ‘braindead’ from the sheer coolness of our creations.

It’s worth mentioning that while Tom is the founding force behind Braindead, Tianna plays an equally vital role as a co-owner. She contributes in multifaceted ways, extending her creative, financial, and administrative talents to the business. Her involvement is integral to our success and growth. Additionally, our journey is not only a professional partnership but a personal one as well. We’ve been in a relationship for nearly a decade, and this shared path has profoundly shaped our creative pursuits and our approach to business.

We collaboratively work with a talented artist and often commission other artists to join us in crafting unique products. Together, we curate an array of distinctive items, spanning from originally designed jerseys and jackets to collectible masks and even horror-themed cereal boxes. Our brand embodies a diverse spectrum of original artistry, with each piece meticulously designed to evoke the spirit of Halloween, horror, and pop culture in captivating and innovative ways.

Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.

We’re driven by a genuine passion for horror, Halloween, the haunt industry, and the nostalgia of yesteryear. Our love for nostalgia runs deep. It’s inspired by thrilling nights at places like Spooky World and cozying up with old-school horror movies.

Our shared fascination for horror and Halloween brought us together. We believe in injecting a sense of playfulness, wonder, and ‘spooky’ into all our creative projects, from jerseys to masks.

Our passion was reignited when we noticed how saturated the horror t-shirt game had become. We were determined to bring something unique and top-quality to the scene.

Merging our creative talents, officially in 2019, we made the choice to become independent. Tom, with over a decade of experience as a professional graphic designer, has lent his expertise to collaborations with record labels, merchandise businesses, and convention organizers. His design prowess brings a unique visual perspective. On the other hand, Tianna’s background in web design, creative directing, photography, and photo editing adds an artistic touch that harmonizes with our creative synergy

We believe that true fulfillment comes from pursuing what you love and sharing it with others. This belief guides our business, which aims to foster excitement, uniqueness, and a touch of delightful spookiness.

What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)

Without sounding too boastful, we’ve noticed that many brands in the spooky sector tend to follow a similar, predictable aesthetic and vibe. We’re here to bring a fresh, vibrant, and playful Halloween spirit to Salem.

A creative community is vital because it encourages diversity, self-expression, and innovation. We believe that fostering a creatively diverse, welcoming community is essential, where everyone, including the BiPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, feels embraced and celebrated. Being a business co-owned by a black, neurodivergent queer woman, we aspire to be a part of Salem’s transformation into a hub of creativity, where everyone can contribute to making the community richer, more vibrant, and inclusive.

We’re perfectionists at heart, always striving to elevate what we do. Our goal is to set a high standard for ourselves, in the hope that it inspires those around us to put more care and thought into their branding, tents, aesthetics, and their own creative endeavors. Our focus is on leading by example, not from a place of conceit, but rather from a place of shared passion for raising the bar in the creative industry. We want to challenge the status quo and encourage others to do the same, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

What was the last book you read OR What was the last video you watched that made an impact on you?

Tianna : The last impactful book I read was ‘Different Not Less’ by Chloe Hayden. This book resonated with me on a personal level, as I was diagnosed as autistic later in life. Reading Chloe Hayden’s experiences and insights was like discovering a kindred spirit. It provided me with a profound understanding of the unique perspectives and talents that can come with neurodiversity. It has also inspired me to advocate for a more inclusive and accepting world, both within our business and in our larger community. Chloe’s book reinforced the importance of embracing our differences and celebrating the beauty of our diverse human experiences.

Also, the last impactful video we watched addressed the ongoing and deeply complex conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. This video was not only a stark reminder of the historical and ongoing struggles in the region but also a powerful illustration of the pressing need for peace, dialogue, and international cooperation.

We were deeply moved by the human stories and the plea for a peaceful resolution. It emphasized the urgency of ending hostilities and striving for a more inclusive, harmonious coexistence in the region. It rekindled our belief that, regardless of where we are, we have a shared responsibility to stand against violence, oppression, and injustice in all forms.

Genocide, as presented in the video, is a grave injustice that should never be tolerated or ignored. It serves as a profound reminder of our collective responsibility to strive for a more peaceful, just, and compassionate global society. The impact of this video reaffirmed our commitment to promoting understanding, empathy, and the importance of dialogue not only in our personal lives but also in the creative and communal endeavors we pursue

What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?

One surprise about us is our quirky collections. Tom has an unmatched love for vintage masks. He can spot a mask’s style, name, and its maker from a mile away. His impressive collection boasts hundreds of these captivating pieces, with his current favorite being ‘The Vintage Glow Skull’ by Don Post. This gem from the ’60s, discovered at Jacks Joke Shop in Boston, holds a special place in his heart as it’s the same skull as seen in ‘Halloween III: Season of the Witch.’

On the other hand, Tianna has an enchanting obsession with pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns. Her collection boasts nearly a hundred unique pumpkin-themed treasures. Her most cherished find is a charming pumpkin stack, uncovered during one of our routine flea market explorations. These collections add a touch of eccentricity to our love for all things eerie and Halloween-related.

What is Creative Collective?

Creative Collective is a group of economic development strategists, small business supporters, activation specialists, and believers in the importance of the creative workforce. We foster growth, sustainability, and scalability for small businesses, creative thinkers, organizations, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join