Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Coba.
Hi Tina, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m Tina — a proud veteran, retired teacher, and the founder of CobasCreative.
CobasCreative was born from something deeply personal. Over the years, I received appreciation gifts that felt impersonal and, honestly, thoughtless. Instead of feeling valued, I felt unseen. That stuck with me. I knew I never wanted anyone else to feel that way.
During COVID, while I was still teaching, I started creating personalized items for students and fellow teachers — small gifts that let them know they were seen, valued, and that they mattered. I saw firsthand how something thoughtful and personal could truly lift someone’s spirit. That experience changed me.
After I retired from education, I decided to turn that passion into something bigger. I invested in equipment, learned everything I could about laser engraving and custom apparel, and officially launched CobasCreative.
Today, I specialize in handcrafted, personalized awards, plaques, apparel, ornaments, and corporate recognition items. Every piece is created with intention. As a veteran and educator, service and appreciation are part of who I am. My mission is simple: I want people to feel valued when they receive something from us.
CobasCreative isn’t just about products — it’s about making people feel seen.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I never expected it to be.
Starting CobasCreative meant stepping away from a stable career in education and entering an entirely new industry. I had to learn everything from the ground up — laser technology, apparel production, pricing strategies, marketing, e-commerce, government procurement, certifications — all while investing my own time and resources.
There were moments of uncertainty. Financial risks. Slow sales periods. Learning curves that felt overwhelming. Transitioning from selling in person to building an online presence has been one of the biggest challenges. Visibility doesn’t happen overnight.
But I’ve learned that growth rarely feels comfortable.
As a veteran and former educator, resilience is part of who I am. I’ve faced high-pressure environments before. I’ve adapted, adjusted, and kept moving forward. Every obstacle in this business has strengthened my discipline and clarified my mission.
CobasCreative wasn’t built for convenience — it was built with intention. And every challenge has reinforced why I started: to create meaningful, high-quality pieces that make people feel seen and valued.
The road hasn’t been easy — but it’s been purposeful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
CobasCreative is a veteran-owned, Texas-based business specializing in handcrafted, personalized recognition pieces and custom-branded merchandise. We create laser-engraved awards, plaques, ornaments, signage, and custom apparel for schools, city departments, corporate offices, athletic programs, and families.
What we are known for is intentional appreciation.
Every piece we create represents someone’s achievement, service, or milestone. Whether it’s a retiring teacher, a police officer, a student athlete, or a corporate team member, I design each item with the understanding that recognition should feel meaningful — not generic.
We specialize in:
• Custom engraved awards and plaques
• Corporate and department recognition items
• Personalized team and athletic merchandise
• Custom apparel and branded business items
• Seasonal keepsakes and milestone gifts
What sets us apart is the combination of heart and professionalism. As a veteran and retired educator, service and appreciation are deeply personal to me. At the same time, CobasCreative is structured for growth. We are HUB certified and registered with SAM.gov, allowing us to serve municipalities, schools, and larger organizations with confidence and compliance.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that we never create “filler” products. Every design is thoughtful. Every detail matters. I want our customers to feel proud to give what we create — and honored to receive it.
I want readers to know that CobasCreative isn’t just about customized items. It’s about creating pieces that make people feel seen, valued, and remembered.
That mission guides everything we do.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is decorating the Christmas tree with my family.
I come from a very large family, and growing up, everyone was always busy. Life moved fast, and there weren’t many quiet moments when we were all together in one place.
But decorating the Christmas tree was different.
Everyone was involved — from stringing popcorn together, to carefully putting on the lights, to draping the tinsel just right. It wasn’t about perfection. It was about togetherness. For that moment, we slowed down. We laughed. We worked side by side.
It was one of the few times when we truly felt connected as a whole family.
Looking back, I think that’s where my love for meaningful traditions and intentional moments began. Those simple, shared experiences shaped the way I see appreciation and connection today.
Pricing:
- Laser-Engraved Awards & Recognition Plaques: $35+
- Corporate & Department Recognition Pieces: $40+
- Custom Apparel (Branded or Team-Based): $20+ per item
- Personalized Ornaments & Gift Items: $18+
Contact Info:
- Website: cobascreative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cobas_creative_corner_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coba-tina-a9340273/
