Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tamiko Murman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Tamiko thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
During my freshman year, I spent about 10 hours a week at the HCF as an administrative assistant to Kristen, one of the many vibrant, savvy, energetic young twenty-somethings who worked in the office. Over time, Kristen observed my artistic gifts, including my love for hand-lettering.
One day, she approached me with a request to hand-address the invitations for her upcoming wedding. My heart hammered in my chest. Addressing wedding invitations? It was both terrifying and thrilling.
The response was a revelation. Weeks later, Kristen burst into the office, her face glowing. “They loved them, Tamiko! Everyone is raving about the calligraphy more than the invitation itself! You should start a business!” A spark ignited within me. Maybe I could turn my passion into something more.
Kristen became my mentor, cheerleader, and first client. Thanks to her unwavering belief, “Calligraphy by Tamiko” (soon to be Designs by Tamiko) blossomed. It wasn’t just about beautiful lettering; it was about the confidence to chase my dreams, a gift far more valuable than any financial aid package.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Sure! I’m Tamiko, a half-Japanese Oregonian originally from Southern California. I juggle a few roles: being a mom to my amazing three kiddos, volunteering my skills at our local school, and running this little design business!
Getting here wasn’t exactly a straight line. My business has changed alongside life journey in the past 20+ years, with marriage and children introducing new adventures and challenges.
I create logos, print material, social media graphics, custom illustrations, and hand-lettered art. I recently partnered with a talented friend of mine to create a road trip activity book for kids! Illustrating a book was a new and rewarding experience for me.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Word of mouth continues to be the strongest, most effective way for growing my clientele. I strive to provide the best customer experience possible, which typically results in happy clients telling their friends and family about me.
Have you ever had to pivot?
For sure, especially after the arrival of my third child.
When I had just two little ones underfoot, I could (mostly) manage my part-time business, create new designs, and still be there for my kids. But let me tell you, adding another tiny human to the mix was a whole new ball game! The sleep deprivation, the constant neediness – it was pure love, of course, but my business definitely took a backseat for a while.
Trying to maintain the same workload while being a mom of three just wasn’t realistic. It was a tough pill to swallow, but I knew I had to pivot. I scaled back on the number of clients I took on, focusing on smaller projects that offered more flexibility. I also had to get creative with my schedule, squeezing in design work during nap times or after the kids were in bed.
Honestly, it wasn’t easy. There were days when I felt like I was failing at everything (I still have those days). But you know what? It forced me to prioritize and become even more efficient with my time. It also made me appreciate the flexibility that Designs by Tamiko offers. I could be there for my kids when they needed me most, all while still trying to keep my creative flame alive.
Now, my youngest is getting a little bigger, and I’m slowly starting to scale back up again. The experience taught me a valuable lesson: growth doesn’t always mean going bigger and faster. Sometimes, pivoting and adapting is the key to thriving in my ever-changing life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.designsbytamiko.com
- Instagram: @designsbtamiko
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamikomurman/