COMM U N I T Y
NORMANITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Tyler LaReau (center), owner of Norman Stamp and Seal, accepts the Norman Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award. yler LaReau’s main goal each day is to make people smile. An avenue through which he does this is Norman Stamp and Seal, a store located at 110 S. University Blvd that he purchased in 2014.
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“The idea appealed to me, and I like to be around people,” LaReau shared. “I like owning my own businesses and am an entrepreneur at heart. I just like the idea of starting new businesses and trying to grow them.”
The business was originally opened in 1984 by the Lyle family. One day, LaReau, who since 1999 has operated an insurance agency, LaReau & Associates, right next door to Norman Stamp and Seal, saw the previous owner outside the building. When LaReau learned that the family was looking to sell the business and knew their asking price, he immediately said he was interested.
After purchasing the business, LaReau updated some machinery, including adding new laser engraving machines, a sandblasting machine and a color printer. From there, he started to expand and add more items that could be custom engraved, starting with round, bamboo cutting boards.
LaReau had noticed the foot traffic of people visiting the shop for items like address and notary stamps, name tags and nameplates. That, along with the challenge of entering retail, was enough to encourage him to make the purchase. The previous owners were excited that Norman Stamp and Seal would remain locally owned, and LaReau kept existing staff, including engraver Bill Lynn, who had been with the business for 10 years before he bought it. At the time, LaReau’s brother, Wade, was also looking for a job. He was able to hire him, which has allowed the pair to spend more time together. 26 | June 2021
Norman Stamp and Seal is also a YETI dealer, and other popular items available include whiskey, wine and champagne glasses. LaReau said common personalizations include names, funny quotes and company logos for celebrations ranging from retirements, having a new baby, purchasing a new home and celebrating weddings. In addition to stopping in the store, customers can also shop at normanstampandseal.com. “It’s rewarding for me because I just get to create things that make people happy, create things that make people smile … There’s something about being able to be creative at Stamp and Seal that is so much fun,” LaReau shared. “We’re try-
