Life & Work with Tysonn Betts of Clifton (Cincinnati)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tysonn Betts.

Hi Tysonn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born a creative and fortunate to have a family that nurtured my talents, curiosity, and passion from an early age. Growing up in Alabama, I had the unique opportunity to attend the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) from grades 7 through 12. At ASFA, I received intensive college-preparatory academics and deep, immersive training in visual arts, surrounded by peers studying creative writing, dance, theatre, and music.

In addition to my creative development, my mother and mentors instilled in me the importance of leadership. With their encouragement, I participated in programs like Model Senate, Birmingham’s Youth Leadership Council, and was honored with the Ray Kroc Youth Leadership Award.

Thanks to significant merit scholarships, I pursued a BFA in Visual Communication at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore, which led to my career at Procter & Gamble. Over 28 years at P&G, I served as a design leader across several of its 10 core categories—shaping some of its most iconic brands, including Charmin, Tide, Swiffer, and Pampers, and helping lead the company’s “P&G Family Home” presence at the 2012 and 2014 Olympic Games. My work was recognized with the CEO’s Design Award and induction into the P&G Brand Mastery Society.

Beyond corporate work, I’ve remained deeply committed to community and creative leadership. I’ve served on boards including Elementz, Cincinnati Public Radio, Breakthrough Cincinnati, and ArtsWave. I’m a past Board Chair of the Art Academy of Cincinnati and the co-founder of Huenited, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity in the design and advertising industries.

In 2024, I retired from P&G as Vice President of Design and launched my consultancy—ministry of DESIGN—which helps emerging and established brands solve complex challenges through the power of creativity and strategic design.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been anything but smooth—but I remain deeply aware of my blessings, and the impact of mentors, coaches, managers, and maintaining a deep faith has helped guide me along the way.

I spent my formative years in “red dirt” Alabama, where resources were limited, but love, faith, perseverance, and a strong work ethic were abundant. Those values have fueled me ever since. I’ve also been fortunate to build close relationships and a wide network of support, which has helped me navigate some of life’s most difficult seasons—both personally and professionally.

Personally, I’ve experienced the pain of depression and the unimaginable loss of a child. Those moments can create an emotional fog that’s hard to push through. But with time, I’ve come to see the power in using those experiences to support and counsel others who may be struggling.

Professionally, I’ve led creative work inside one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, often advocating for the value of design in environments that didn’t always understand or embrace it. That kind of resistance can be challenging, but working through it—and emerging with lessons worth sharing—has made the journey more meaningful.

In the end, it’s the combination of struggle and support, hardship and hope, that has shaped who I am. It keeps me grounded, inspired, and committed to making a difference by leveraging both my talents and my testimony.l.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to turn my passion into a profession and build a career within a high-performing global organization. Over nearly three decades, I’ve learned what it takes to run a business—and more importantly, how design and creativity can directly drive business success.

I specialize in translating brand and business objectives into creative solutions. Whether through design or what I call “third-way thinking,” I approach problems from fresh, unexpected angles—grounded in my lived experience, diverse exposure, and an instinct for bridging insight with imagination. I lead with both creativity and integrity, and I’m known for bringing clarity to complex challenges while inspiring teams to deliver bold, strategic work.

What sets me apart is the ability to connect vision with execution—shaping ideas that not only resonate with consumers, but also drive measurable impact. But perhaps even more meaningful to me than individual success is using my journey to help others find their own path. I’m deeply committed to building a stronger, more inclusive creative industry.

That commitment led me to co-found Huenited Collective, a nonprofit working to make the design and advertising industry more representative of the communities and consumers it serves. Through Huenited, my goal is not just to support emerging talent, but to help businesses and the industry itself evolve—delivering more engaging, relevant, and culturally intelligent work.

I’m proud of where I come from, the support system that continues to lift me up, and the opportunity to build something that has lasting impact. I’m especially excited about what Huenited Collective can achieve—in conversation, in opportunity, and in results.

What matters most to you?
What’s important to me? Family. Faith. Integrity.

Family always comes first. I take my roles as father, son, sibling, and spouse seriously. It’s not always easy, but it’s sacred work. Showing up for those closest to us—supporting them, letting them support us, and growing together—is one of life’s most important commitments. I’m grounded in the belief that legacy is built in meaningful experiences, conversations, presence, and consistent investment in the people who matter. I hope that when I’m no longer here, those I’ve poured into won’t need to wonder what I’d say—they’ll already know, because I said it with my time, love, and intention.

My faith fuels everything I do. It grounds me in purpose, reminds me I’m not in control, and helps me see beyond circumstance. I study the Bible because it both inspires and humbles me. It calls me to reflect on what’s required of me—and what needs to be refined within me.

Integrity, to me, shows up in two ways: operational and creative. Operational integrity is about being aligned with your purpose and delivering on it consistently, guided by a moral compass that holds up under scrutiny. Creative integrity is a personal responsibility—to use the talent I’ve been given to imagine, build, and contribute in new ways. It’s about honoring the craft and the calling by showing up with excellence, not ego.

Pricing:

• everything is negotiable- but creativity is priceless

Contact Info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/right-brain-to-the-business
• Other: tysonn@theMoD.biz