NORMANITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tyler LaReau (center), owner of Norman Stamp and Seal, accepts the Norman Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award.

Tyler 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.

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.

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. “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.”

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.

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-

ing to sell smiles, and I’m not kidding you when I tell you that.”

LaReau, who grew up in Shawnee and Chickasha and graduated from Shawnee High School, came to Norman in 1981 to attend the University of Oklahoma. After earning his marketing degree, he never left. Straight out of college, LaReau entered the insurance business. LaReau & Associates focuses on areas like life and health insurance and Medicare supplements, he explained.

LaReau and his wife Leslie, who works as an attorney in Oklahoma City, started dating in 1980 and married in 1985. The couple has two daughters, Emma and Claire, who both attend OU. LaReau said that any measure of success he’s had in his life wouldn’t have happened without his wife.

“She has supported me every single step of the way,” LaReau explained. “She’s the one who’s been steady and consistent all these years and been really, really, really good at her job. It’s allowed me to do the things that I do and her to say, ‘Go for it.” And I cannot heap enough praise on her because none of this happens without her.”

In late April, Norman Stamp and Seal was honored as the Norman Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year. While LaReau said he does not know the motivation behind the recognition, he thinks the ways in which he tries to make people in the community happy may have been a contributing factor.

A staple of LaReau’s store – and a key source of this happiness – is a letterboard sign, which he aims to update about once a week. This sign sits in the window of the store and in the past has featured funny sayings like, “I’m in shape. Unfortunately, that shape is a potato.” and “I once was young and fun. Now I turn down the car stereo so I can see better.” Recently, a friend sent LaReau a video of her minister mentioning in his sermon how much he looks forward to seeing the sign each week.

“I’m so obsessed with it, (making people smile),” LaReau explained. “I’m at an age where that’s what motivates me anymore. I don’t care about material stuff anymore. All I care about is making somebody happy every day, putting a smile on their face.” – BSM