24 | Education: Baylor University | Company: Founder, The Shops at Snider Plaza digital platform, Roaming Bear Marketing & Communications, and Quarterback Union
At just 24, Thomas Hand has made a name for himself as an entrepreneur who blends sports, marketing, and community engagement into ventures that matter.
A native of University Park, Hand’s life has been shaped by both the Park Cities and Preston Hollow communities. From playing quarterback for Highland Park High School and Trinity Christian Academy to volunteering with local organizations, Hand has sought ways to combine personal passion with meaningful community impact.
His love for football inspired his first entrepreneurial venture, Quarterback Union. The program trains youth athletes and offers coaching that draws on Hand’s experiences as a quarterback.
Before pursuing his own business ventures, Hand worked as an account manager at Miller Ad Agency, sharpening his client-facing and marketing skills. With a solid foundation in creating a start-up, he then launched Roaming Bear Marketing & Communications.
Not one to slow his pace, he launched The Shops at Snider Plaza, a digital platform connecting local businesses and residents to the UP shopping center.
“I believe the ability to keep going and not stop until you’re finished shows a lot of grit and determination to reach a goal,” he said.
Hand credits his father, a magazine publisher, for inspiring him to see how local businesses can positively impact communities economically and socially, including ones that have been part of his life since childhood.
“I grew up walking to Snider Plaza every weekend with my friends in middle school, would stop by JD’s after school, go to the holiday tree lightings, and so much more,” he said.
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
I would have to say my dad. He is a publisher and owned 2 magazines when I was growing up (Patron Magazine and Addison – The Guide). I was always intrigued with not only the business and how it operated, but also the impact it made on certain communities and certain businesses, especially economically.
What is your favorite part of your current job or community involvement?
My favorite part about my work is a lot of things as every business is so much different. For Quarterback Union, I greatly enjoy getting to continue to be around football and lead and give perspective to athletes. It’s fulfilling to be able to teach something that I’m extremely passionate about, something that I was doing not even that long ago and watch clients improve their skills, confidence and knowledge about the game of football. For Roaming Bear Marketing, I am extremely fulfilled by the creative freedom that comes with it. I have always wanted to work in something creative and build something, and I’m given that simultaneously. I’ve also always been intrigued by marketing and how to tailor messaging, creative and overall presentation to different markets. Roaming Bear Marketing has also led me to take on all different kinds of marketing projects from the construction industry, education industry, retail industry and more. The best part about The Shops at Snider Plaza is that I still have a lot of creative freedom, but I also get to actively market a center that has been such a large part of my life. I grew up walking to Snider Plaza every weekend with my friends in middle school, would stop by JD’s after school, go to the Holiday Tree Lightings and so much more.
Are you where you thought you’d be when you graduated from high school?
Yes and no. Part of me says yes because I had always had an aspiration to start a business and build things that I’m passionate about, and I’m someone who would always rather try and find out than never know. However, part of me says no because I wasn’t sure when it would happen, and I’m so happy to be able to do this so shortly after college.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
My first job was helping sell branded merchandise for an event that my dad owned. I sold it onsite out of an event tent. It taught me how to work with all kinds of people and all kinds of personalities. It also taught me preparation and what solid organization looks like among a large group of coordinated people.
Was there a “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career? If so, what was it?
I wouldn’t say I had a “lightbulb” moment recently, but I realized over time that I wanted to be an entrepreneur and that it was made for me. I started to realize that I loved to build and create things that were my own, especially during my teenage years.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
The accomplishment that I am proudest of is finishing in the top 5 in two half marathons in the last year. However, this isn’t about an athletic achievement. It represents something much larger: the ability to see a long-term vision and work at it every day (whenever I train for them it’s about 12 weeks of intense training that I have to do every day — whether it’s a long run or lifting weights). It also represents that I have trained myself to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. When you’re moving at that pace for that long, it hurts and your lungs are on fire, but I believe the ability to keep going and not stop until you’re finished shows a lot of grit and determination to reach a goal. This transfers to life, whether it’s a goal you’re accomplishing alone or a team effort.
Which leadership skills have been the most challenging for you to develop and why?
One thing that has been difficult for me is letting go of perfectionism. Of course, in an ideal world, everyone wants their service or product to be perfect. However, it’s so much more important to keep going and moving forward as perfectionism is impossible. If you strive to be too perfect, it’s a huge time waster and ultimately sets you back.
What do you see is the biggest challenge facing Dallas right now? If you had the connections and resources to change that, what would you do?
I think the biggest challenge facing Dallas currently is the rapid population growth from all areas of the country, especially north Dallas. Many of these new residents are unaware of things that are going on in their communities or are unsure about what areas of the city are good to hangout in/visit. From my perspective and using my background, I think it would be beneficial to build a similar media platform for new Dallas residents. Something that lays out what to expect, things to do, the best areas in each part of the city and more.
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
Title: The Slow Climb, about consistency and showing up every day and seeing results over time.
Jason Bateman.
What is your favorite local restaurant or shop?
I would say my favorite local restaurant is Hudson House, simply because of their cheeseburger
What’s on your bucket list?
Go to Greece, see the Northern Lights and run a half marathon in at least 10 different states
What do you have in mind for after 40?
To be honest, I have no idea (I’m only 23)! There are a few things though: I want to be married, have children, be the best family man I can be and continue entrepreneurship
Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
I actually almost played college football before going to Baylor. I had 20+ offers (from smaller schools) and a couple of preferred walk-ons at division one schools as well. Unfortunately, I had been injured a lot near the end of high school and with COVID it was chaos. That’s what led me to starting Quarterback Union, though.
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