the story of t-rex
what is t-rex ?
The nickname “T-Rex” was born at a college party when someone struggled to pronounce my name, Tejas (often pronounced Te-has in California, thanks to the Mexican influence).
Instead, they jokingly called me “T-Rex”, a name that stuck because of my powerlifting background, my bold presence, and my tenacity.
Over time, I adopted the name in an attempt to make it into a personal brand and a reflection of strength, ambition, and the ability to leave a mark.
PUNE
A leap of faith.
PASADENA
embracing the unknown
Arriving at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena was like stepping into a new universe. The intensity of the programs, the high expectations, and the caliber of my peers pushed me beyond anything I had encountered before.
Coming from India to California was a culture shock, but it opened my eyes to new ways of thinking. It shaped my design philosophy, teaching me that great design goes beyond aesthetics — it’s about inclusivity, context, and making a meaningful impact.
In college, I quickly learned that failure is not just inevitable, but essential. Design is an iterative process — one where you fail, learn, and adapt. Early on, I struggled with imposter syndrome, questioning my abilities and doubting whether I truly belonged among so many talented individuals. But with each project, I found that failure wasn’t the end; it was part of the process. Failing allowed me to refine my skills, understand my weaknesses, and eventually turn those failures into strengths.
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My journey began in Pune, India, where I grew up surrounded by the contrasts of tradition and modernity. After high school, I took a leap of faith and moved to Pasadena, California, for college. It was a bold decision to leave behind the familiar and embrace uncertainty in pursuit of my dreams. California became my proving ground, challenging me to adapt, grow, and redefine my limits.
childhood experiences
As a kid, I was fortunate enough to move to a couple of different cities with my family due to my father’s job. Each new place brought a mix of excitement and uncertainty, exposing me to diverse cultures and communities that played a huge role in carving my worldview.
I was always into sports and spending time outdoors, but I struggled with health issues and bad eating habits that made me overweight. Due to which school wasn’t easy. I faced a lot of bullying in middle-school due to my appearance that knocked my confidence.
But the turning point came when I discovered the gym. It wasn’t just a space for physical change; it became my sanctuary. The gym taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and resilience, transforming not just my body but my mindset. Those early challenges instilled in me a curiosity to push boundaries and a strong sense of determination.
my first venture!
My first foray into entrepreneurship came during high school when a couple of friends and I started a clothing brand!
It was a small venture, but it sparked my love for building something from the ground up. From designing logos to creating marketing strategies, this experience became the hook that drew me into product design. It taught me the power of storytelling through design and the impact of connecting with people through what you create.
Our brand was called ‘Urban Void’ where we made streetwear style tshirts. Each one of us investe about $150, we sourced manufacturers and printers to make our designs and we conducted mostly all the sales from instagram. It tought me about money management, marketing and people.
