We were lucky to catch up with Lovlee Tang recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Lovlee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I have taken many risks throughout my life.
It was early in my motherhood journey that I knew I wanted to be more present and available as a wife and mother. I was not sure how I would make that desire come true, but I knew that the path would be made clear somehow. Learn to expect the unexpected. Experiencing an unexpected miscarriage in our third pregnancy was devastating for me, and it caused me to make a major pivot in my life. The early loss of our third pregnancy made me realize that life is too short! This pivot point led me to take a big risk and create a business that would evolve with the growing needs of my family, allow me to generate an income, while providing a valuable service to my community.
With my first two children only 3.5 and 10 months old at the time, I transitioned out of the corporate 9 to 5 schedule, and created Lovlee Day Academy, a home-based preschool in Philadelphia, PA focused on teaching children through the use of art and sensory rich creative play. Because I had the courage to bet on myself and take this risk, I was now able to be home with my children, care for the children of others, and allow my creative juices to flow! This preschool was in operation for four years before my family and I relocated to Bloomfield, New Jersey in 2015.
Once we moved and settled into our new home, I wanted to find a way to bring value to our community. Over the course of time, my love of sharing art led me to take another risk and transition into building a second business and brand, Lovlee Art Studios in Bloomfield, NJ in 2016. The creation and expansion of my new business was right on par with the transition that my family was in as well. I like to describe it as my life and business work in tandem with each other. As my children evolve and grow, my business naturally evolves and grows too.
Lovlee , 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 help to empower adults and children through art. By combining natural elements with paints, recycled materials, and various forms of mixed media, I encourage these artists to embrace their creativity, explore all creative possibilities, and express themselves through their unique works of art!” ~ Lovlee Tang
My name is Lovlee Tang, and I often refer to myself as a #MommaOnAMission. I am a multi-passionate woman, a wife, mother, artist, author, entrepreneur, visionary and so much more. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a Minor in Theatre from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. I am originally from El Paso, TX, and reside in Northern New Jersey with my husband and our four children.
Life’s unpredictable landscape shaped me into who I am today. The challenges forged resilience, and opportunities fueled growth. I come from a long line of creative women. My mother is one of five girls, and I grew up observing their artwork. Whether it was a project in the making, a finished piece hanging in their homes, or full immersion into the creative process my creative fire was ignited. I watched my mother take found objects and turn them into beautiful works of functional art. She had the gift of taking the ordinary and transforming it into the extraordinary, and the impact was long lasting.
My parents divorced when I was five years old, and when I was 10 years old, I moved from my mother’s home and relocated to Virginia with my father and bonus mother. I remember this being an exciting and unsettling time for me as a child. Art became my safe place where I went to make sense of the world around me. My father made it a priority to honor my desire to create. One of my first murals was in my new bedroom. I was so proud of that mural, and my friends were always so impressed that my parents allowed me to paint on my walls!
The inspiration of my mother combined with the encouragement of my father began to lay the foundation for what was possible for me through art. My goal was never to become a famous artist. However, I knew from an early age that art was a “must” as I journeyed through each season of life. As I examine where I am today, I see how God has allowed me to use art as an instrument of voice not only for myself, but for the communities I serve.
Lovlee Art Studios has creatively served hundreds of families, community members, schools, organizations, and corporations throughout New Jersey and beyond over the past seven years.
I believe what sets us apart from other studios is our attention to detail, and our focus on the complete experience. We focus on all the five senses in our space. What do you smell when you come into the studio? What do you see when you come into the studio? What do you hear? Taste comes mostly from the food that is catered in? How do you feel when you come into our presence and when you leave our creative experience? It’s through really learning to cultivate and refine these aspects that has helped us to be successful.
Our mission is to inspire, nurture, and create a safe, welcoming community space for children and adults to express themselves freely. Our vision is to be a renowned artistic haven where individuals of all ages can discover their unique voices and unleash their potential. Through innovative programming and a commitment to excellence, we aim to inspire a passion for creativity that enriches lives and strengthens community bonds.
I’m most proud that God continues to use me to create a business that is evolving at the same rate I am personally growing as a woman, wife, mother, artist, and entrepreneur. I’m proud that my shoulders have been strengthened over the years through being tested and refined to handle the pressure and responsibility of building this business. Last but not least, I am so proud that when people come into my space and work with my team they leave feeling inspired, empowered, encouraged, and most importantly, seen.
Art is therapy, and it allows us to communicate without words. Art allows us to feel, deal, and heal. It is my mission & passion to wake up, nurture, and empower the inner artist that I believe exists in us all.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Non-creatives may struggle with understanding the vital necessity of a multi-passionate woman balancing creativity and motherhood.
One of my greatest challenges was reconciling my passion for creativity with my role as a mother, especially in my late 20’s. I often felt the need to choose between being a mother and pursuing my creative passions, which left me feeling like I was being rebellious as a mother. Early in my motherhood journey, I wrestled with self-confidence and self-worth until I couldn’t take it anymore. It was at this point that I learned the importance of honoring my true self. Now in my late 40s, I understand that being a creative multi-passionate individual is inherent and should not be ignored or suppressed.
Embracing multiple roles is not an easy feat. I know my stance is controversial at times, but hear me out. As women, we were individuals before becoming wives and mothers, and we should not lose our identity in these roles. Honoring one’s true self, as designed by God, is essential for personal growth and fulfillment. I have had to learn to reframe my identity to include multiple roles, such as mother, wife, artist, entrepreneur, and visionary, without being defined by them, and I coach other mothers wrestling with their identity to do the same.
Non-creatives need to be aware if they are imposing limits on other people. This can be very disheartening and paralyzing to a multi-passionate woman. Stifling authentic parts of oneself often leads to frustration, anger, bitterness, and physical illness. Which in turn makes the woman/mother even more unfit and unproductive in her environment. To all of my fellow multi-passionate mothers, there is richness and dynamism to be experienced on your creative journey. There is life-giving power in honoring your authenticity. In honoring all aspects of oneself, including creative passions, leads to a more fulfilling life.
I wrote a book entitled, Bloom Where You’re Planted Now, as a guide to help women pursue their passions without guilt while raising a family.
The question may be asked, “How can mother creatives balance their entrepreneurial drive and family responsibilities?” My experience has taught me that there is always a way. You may not be able to do everything at once, but you can always do something! I am a much better wife and mother when I am living authentically, and I am a living example to my daughters that they can do the same.
Here are some suggestions for how creatives can balance their entrepreneurial drive and family responsibilities:
– Reframe your thinking – don’t see it as having to choose between being a creative/entrepreneur or being a wife/mother. Embrace the fact that you can be both. You are a woman, a wife, a mother, an artist, an entrepreneur, etc. Don’t let others put you in a box.
– Honor all aspects of yourself – stifling parts of your authentic identity can lead to frustration, anger and health issues. Pursue your passions without guilt while also raising a happy, healthy family.
– Find ways to integrate your creative/entrepreneurial work into your family life. See how you can involve your family or structure your work to accommodate family responsibilities.
– Manage your time and energy wisely. Prioritize what’s most important and don’t be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks when needed.
– Maintain self-confidence and self-worth. Recognize that you don’t have to choose – you can be a great mother and also fulfill your creative/entrepreneurial dreams.
The key is to reframe your mindset, honor your authentic identity, and find ways to blend your various roles and responsibilities. With intentionality and support, it is possible to thrive as both a creative/entrepreneur and a family caregiver.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
I am obsessed with personal development and mindset work. It would be my pleasure to share resources that have fed me mentally and spiritually along my journey. First and foremost the Bible is my guide for laying a solid foundation for the key pillars most important to me which are life, family, marriage, parenting, health, and business. These are fantastic books for creatives and navigating mindset and creativity blocks. Also, keep in mind that most of these resources listed can be found in an audio format via YouTube. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, and Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Two books that are currently rocking my world and shifting my philosophy are This Naked Mind by Annie Grace and Bloom Where You Are Planted Now! By Lovlee Tang. This Naked Mind is discussing the impact of alcohol on our brains & creativity. The BLOOM Where You Are Planted NOW! is the book that I self-published. This book is designed to equip you with three key steps to create clarity, focus, and inner peace in your daily life. I live by this book because the principles are relevant in every season of life, and it inspires me to have a vision, create a plan, and prepare for what is possible for my life while still honoring my current season of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lovleeartstudios.com
- Instagram: @lovleeartstudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovleet and https://www.facebook.com/LovleeArtStudios/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lovlee-tang126
- Youtube: @lovleetang & @lovleeartstudios
Image Credits
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