Early in my career, I worked for Donald Trump at Trump’s Castle Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.
I started out as a designer in the Art Department and after one year, I became Art Director. We designed everything for the hotel and casino – and I mean everything! From billboards to menus (for gourmet restaurants, room service and events) — and everything for the casino (including lightboxes, slot machine cups and invitations for the high rollers).
Those were the days of glitz, glam and big budgets. Gold Foil was king. When I first started, I assisted on a photo shoot aboard the Trump Princess, Donald and Ivana’s custom yacht. It had 11 suites, a helicopter landing platform, 15-foot swimming pool and plenty of other luxuries. We had to take our shoes off to enter.
We would do elaborate invitations for the high rollers, usually featuring whoever was headlining, and the performers changed weekly. There was always high demand for new designs and need for a quick turnaround; The Donald wanted everything done yesterday. We produced large quantities — and custom die cuts, foil and embossing were common. It was a designer’s dream to be able to produce such high quality finished products.
Mr. Trump’s birthdays were always lavish affairs and the one that I remember best was when we had a 007 James Bond theme. I hired an illustrator who did movie posters and we created a poster of Donald holding a smoking gun and Marla Maples at his feet. It was a big hit with him!
There are too many stories to tell, but the takeaway from that time in my career, is that I learned how to work under tight deadlines, with high standards and deliverables. I always say, “If you can work for Donald Trump…you can work for anybody!”
And the answer to your question is, “No.” I never was fired by Mr. Trump. I left for a new opportunity and ended up with an even tougher boss – me!
