Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shy Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Shy, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

If I could go back in time, I would have wanted to start my creative career sooner, but mentally I believe I started at the right time. I started my creative career during covid. Many people may have done the same, but I needed the freedom that covid gave me at that point in my life. So what I mean by that is, before covid, I was so bound to a schedule of going to work, coming home, and getting the kids and myself ready for that next workday that I couldn’t imagine doing anything else even if I wanted to. Which was not good because I felt my time was not mine and I wasn’t enjoying anything. Career-wise, I was in a great place; life-wise, I was not and needed an outlet. I was going through a divorce and becoming a single parent at the worst possible time of anyone’s life. So I took any feelings and time I had during that time and focused on my creative talents, something I could have never done before. So starting my creative career sooner may have given me less time to tune in or fully appreciate what I was doing or why I was doing it. So starting it when I did allowed me to focus on what I wanted for my business and provided much fine-tuning, which helped me and my audience. Looking back on my experience, the only things I would change are not doing my due diligence and researching the necessary tools, cost, and equipment. So yes, I would have started my creative career at the time in which I did. However, I’d be better knowledgeable in the grand scheme of things.

Shy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Florida native residing in the DMV area, a mother of three girls and one godson, ages 20, 11, 8, and 2. I am a domestic abuse survivor who loves to write in my limited spare time. I have always loved to draw, write stories and create things. As a child, I would take things apart to fix them together to see if I could. So my lifelong passion for art and creation led me down this path. When I am having a bad day, I dive into creating. Honestly, I find any reason to create or design. It is the most relaxing pastime for me.

My products range from personal items to business items. It’s like an all-in-one shop. For instance, I offer custom-designed keychains, t-shirts, business cards, logos for your business, and various other items. So the problem I solve is that with my company you won’t have to go elsewhere for different things. I would rather be a one-place resolution for customers to avoid a customer having any issues with orders, such as colors not matching if you should go to 2 companies, etc. However, I am honest enough to say, “I can’t do this,” giving them a chance to go elsewhere for things I cannot assist with. Honesty is a great value, and many of my customers welcome it, or at least that is my motto for my business. If I can’t do something or complete it by the customers’ timeframe, I let it be known upfront. Those two standards set me above the bar of some others.

What I am most proud of is the fact that I started! For so long, I allowed the thought of not having it all together to weigh so heavily on me, and I assumed I had to have all things done in a particular manner before I could launch. It is the opposite because it can be perfect, but it has to be out there to see where you need to make adjustments, etc., to do it better or differently as you go.

I want my potential clients/fans, and followers to know that I enjoy what I do and aim to give each of them what I expect from the businesses I use. I love to create, design, and customize things. I may have a talent others may also have, but I care about what I do and how I do it. My craft is a passion, and it is important to me. Because others do it, it doesn’t mean I can’t bring something different to the scene, and the same goes for other creators.
I love that my kids see me doing this while being a full-time single parent, and they look up to me. It is something that I can teach them, and they do help at times. So my creating is another way to interact with my children, unlike a 9 – 5 will allow, and I inspire them to the point where they want to follow in my footsteps.
So this is more than just a business or being a creative to me. It’s a way to show my kids that despite all things, you can still do what you truly love or are passionate about, but you have to do it and do it without fear or doubt.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

As a creative, the most rewarding aspect for me is knowing that I touched people in this world one order at a time. To me, that is bigger than being any music artist or actor. Why, you ask? Because it says that even the smallest of individuals can make a difference in the lives of others. When it’s all said and done, customers will remember the moment that my artwork, design, or their order made them smile, even if just for a short period.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Designing and creating is something I have always wanted to do. However, it wasn’t until after I became free from domestic abuse that I dedicated myself to “speech through art and design.” Many people do not listen when others speak, but it is often more understood when they can see it or make it a visual statement. It then becomes a conversation piece. So my creativity is a form of expression and outlet for me. So I would have to say that speech through art is the goal driving my creative journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TmMemories.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tailormade.memories/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyCreationRm/
• Other: TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@tm.memories?lang=en

Image Credits
@Tailormade.Memories