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

Hi Tammy, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

For years, the dream of turning my creative skills and passion into a full-blown business seemed just that- a dream. Changing my perspective was everything, and it has definitely been a journey of back and forth, and not trusting myself. Fear (of failing) has always had a hold on me. I have always excelled in my corporate life, but was screaming on the inside- so much so, that my health started declining. At the peak of my decline in health due to my autoimmune disorder, it really put things in perspective for me. I wondered what it was that I had to show for if tomorrow was not promised. Don’t get me wrong, I have learned and grown exceptionally from each position I have ever worked. I would not be the leader and business owner I am today if it were not for all the hard lessons learned. When that spark of realization hit me, I knew it was time to make a change. I had always flirted with the idea of taking my creative business full-time, but knew something (myself) always held me back. When I parted ways with my last job, it truly was sink or swim. I did not plan for a safety net or a backup job of any sort. I needed that fire under me to give this all I got. Having saved up, and with the full support of my husband and loved ones, I looked into what I truly needed to invest in to ensure my success. If I was going to fail, I better have tried anything and everything in my power. I can safely say, I chose wisely. The major turning point was investing in a business mentor in my field, doing exactly what I knew I was meant to do. Shoutout to The Craft Academy, where I am now a business coach myself! Along came the supportive, creative community, and that is putting it conservatively. These two main factors of having a mentor and community accelerated my business, and has helped me grow exponentially. I learned the right tools to invest in to work more efficiently, and I set goals and metrics to hold myself accountable. It might have taken me years to get here, but I believe everything I have endured has shaped me to be a better entrepreneur, artist, and person now. If I had taken action sooner, it might have propelled me forward, but I am much more equipped now, and in a better mental state to be my best self. Each day, I still feel I need to pinch myself because I am doing the damn thing, and can finally say I am proud of myself.

Tammy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As a second-generation immigrant who takes heavily after my Taiwanese mother, I have so many of her beliefs engrained in me. Not that she was super tough, but pursuing my own business, especially a creative one, was never something I truly considered growing up. The creativity and passion for performance was always there, but like many Asian stereotypes about pursuing the medical field- mine was true. I got my Bachelors Degree in Health Science and wanted to start my own practice. After my family circumstances took a turn, I explored other options and went the corporate route when I was recruited. When I got engaged to my now husband, Ro, modern calligraphy and calligraphy services were on the rise. I fell hard into teaching myself the art of calligraphy, and yes, was one of those brides who DIY’d everything. Posting about my wedding details actually led to friends and family seeking me out for commissioned work. Both Ro and I started thinking about the possibilities to turn this creative hobby into an actual business. However, at that time I was climbing the corporate ladder at Target Corporation, and so I shoved down any other dreams I had. That little voice in my head was right all along though- this business and field are definitely meant for me.

First things first, I am not your average calligrapher. As a full-time creative entrepreneur, Founder of Ink & Innuendos, and Event Artist, I partner with my clients to essentially make them look their best. Whether it is a brand that wants to promote their product launch or line, or a company showing their clients and / or team members appreciation, or even an individual who wants to make their loved ones feel special- I curate the perfect execution of artistic services and entertainment for them. In more exciting words- I aim to be the life of their party! My business and services have definitely evolved over the years- 9 years to be exact! However, partnering with my clients and performing on-site is my true niche and calling now. These services include calligraphy, hand-engraving, painting, and hot foiling. For in-studio work, the list goes on. My clients can rest assured that I am here for them from concept design through execution. We can all see there is an abundance of wonderful artists in the world, however, what I would say sets myself apart from others is me, and my energy. Not only do I continue to hone my skills to produce the highest quality of work, but I continue to work on being my best self all around. If I am not at my best, I cannot expect to perform well and deliver for my clients. Anticipating the needs of my clients, and communicating effectively are of the highest importance to me. I always want them to have a frictionless experience, and leave them feeling nothing but joy and amazement. I strive for these factors to be what I am known for, what sets me apart, and in hopes get to call them my loyal repeat clients.

It is difficult to say what I am most proud of. Throughout the years, different aspects and different accomplishments carry different weight in comparison to one another. Major wins and milestones that I am truly proud of though include finally launching my website last year, becoming a creative business coach, and of course, partnering with some of my top dream clients such as Fenty Beauty, Laneige, Prada, Tatcha, and the Emmys! All pinch me moments for sure. The greatest accomplishment I would have to say is that in my first year and a half going full-time in my business, I was able to surpass my salary in all 3 of my last corporate jobs. I never would have thought that would be possible so quickly, but I did that! Proving to myself that not only can I generate 5 figure months, but also scale and sustain my business has been the best feeling and has truly brought me to tears many times. For those reading my story, I mean this- do not give up on yourself. You deserve to be happy, you deserve to feel fulfilled, and you are worthy. It has not been an easy journey, but I remain resilient, and I know what I can bring to the table. Every day, I strive to prove that to my clients.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Proving to myself, and others that you really can find joy and success pursuing a creative business is a huge motivation for me. There are so many talented individuals out there, but handcuffed to their 9-5, unhappy and unwell. The worst thing that has happened to me is my autoimmune disorder that developed after years of not listening to my body, neglecting my health and everything else around me. However, my diagnosis was also such an enlightening occurrence in my life. My functional medicine doctor said it best- that this was happening for me and not to me. If it were not for me going into depression for over a year, losing all my hair, not being able to eat out, etc., I would have never made the necessary changes to improve the quality of my life in all different aspects. I was tremendously unhappy with myself, and my job, but the moment I realized I had a choice, that was a life-changing. By pursuing my business and creative journey, I have learned to have a healthy work-life balance, which allows me to be a better entrepreneur, artist, business partner, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. If I can inspire others to advocate for themselves, pursue what they truly want to do in life, and choose their happiness, then I am truly fulfilled. I am the happiest I have ever been, and I know now, I deserve this.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building your audience on social media may seem intimidating, and if there was one right answer, then everyone would have a massive following and flourishing business. There was definitely a time where I thought it was all about vanity metrics- appearances and number of followers on social media. I am so glad I have learned that the most important part of growing an audience is quality over quantity. It really does not matter if you have tens of thousands of followers, if this does not actually bring you business and genuine engagement. Social media is such a lifeline for businesses in the present day, but it can also be terrible for mindset if you cannot shift your perspective first. The comparison game of seeing others’ vanity metrics and having negative self-dialogue is a slippery slope- do not do it to yourself! I believe in making genuine connections with my followers. Asking myself what it is I want to be known for, what is it that my audience wants to see, why are they following me actively, what spoke to them about my content. I try to be my truest self- flaws and all. If I hope to inspire others, and generate a healthy, long-lasting clientele and audience, I want to make sure we have an honest start. As my audience grew over the years, with a spike in these last 2 years, I really try to take the time to reach out to each one of my new followers to show my gratitude. Especially, if it is another business, I want to show my support, as well. One of the main factors for growing on social media is consistency, and I still struggle on this front, but hey, if you are working on networking in other areas, building your website, reaching out to potential clients, the audience will come. No business should solely rely on social media, but rather use it as a strategic tool to showcase what you want your audience to see, and know about you and your business in real time. Lastly, as a frequent reminder to myself, have fun with your content and engage your audience. If you treat it like a task, it will feel stressful, and that will show. If you are a creative artist, create to create, not because you feel the pressure to keep up with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.inkandinnuendos.com
• Instagram: @inkandinnuendos

Image Credits

Hannah Coopy