Meet Tammy Dulla

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tammy Dulla a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tammy, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Adversity is no stranger to me. It has been a long, difficult road, but I cannot dwell on the past because of where I am now. Although growing up seemed like the chips were stacked against us, with my mom having to raise me and my sisters on her own- her strength, love, and resilience has shaped me indefinitely. No one works harder than my mom who is a Taiwanese immigrant that works 7 days a week in a factory, even now. If she can move to a country where she doesn’t speak the language, raise three girls on her own, survive cancer, and throw down a home-cooked Taiwanese meal on the daily, I can do anything! Sadly, I did not get her cooking skills, but inherited her many other talents and personality. I was raised to believe you have to work for everything you got and could want. Nothing comes easy, and that I have to look out for myself, but stay graceful. These lessons are deeply rooted in me.

More recently, changing my perspective and negative self-dialogue was everything, and it has definitely been a journey of back and forth, and not trusting myself. Fear (mostly of failing) has always had a hold on me. The decline of my health due to my autoimmune disorder really put things in perspective for me. It was the absolute turning point in my life and career. I wondered what it was that I had to show for if tomorrow was not promised. Did I want to continue casting myself as a victim or do I want to take action and make a choice. Although there were some very low-lows working through different positions, I would not be the leader and business owner I am today if it were not for all the hard lessons learned. As a business owner, it’s not news that it is a challenging role to play. Thick skin and resiliency are a must. The moment I struck up the courage to pursue my business full-time, there was a total wave of confidence, but underlying fear. Fear of being unsure where to start. 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. Knowing that my success now entailed many micro failures in the past, grounds me. You really cannot find success, whatever that looks like for each person, without having fallen. You just need to pick yourself up again.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

First things first, I am not your average calligrapher. As a full-time creative entrepreneur, 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 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 my energy and talent. 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. I strive for these factors to be what I am known for, and what sets me apart, and in hopes get to call them my loyal repeat clients.

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 for The Craft Academy, 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. One of my greatest accomplishments 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 I can generate 5 figure months has been the best feeling and has truly brought me to tears many times. What is an exceptionally important takeaway from this journey, thus far, is to work smarter- more efficiently. By focusing on what drives the most impact for my business has not only allowed me to achieve and exceed my financial goals, but it has afforded me the luxury to take time off for myself. It has afforded me the luxury to say no to certain projects for my own sanity and well-being. This is something I would have never thought I could do because I never knew how to say no or settle down to take time off. 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 myself to my clients and students.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For years, the dream of turning my creative skills and passion into a full-blown business seemed just that- a dream. What has impacted my journey the most started with a change in my perspective. At the peak of my decline in health due to my autoimmune disorder, it really put things in perspective for me. I knew it was time to make a change if I really wanted to be happy and feel fulfilled. 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.

After this tremendous shift in my mental health, I looked into what I truly needed to invest in to ensure my success. The next 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.

The two previous transformations set a groundbreaking foundation for me as an entrepreneur. To achieve growth and sustainability as a business, however, demands so much more of a person. It is definitely a rollercoaster ride, but if I had to choose another aspect of my journey that has had the most impact, I would say to focus on yourself, and what you want to do. The moment I learned to niche down and stop taking on these tiny projects or clients who were trying to bargain for lower rates, changed the trajectory of my business and profitability. If it does not align with my business, I say no. Saying no has never really been a part of my vocabulary. I have always been a people pleaser, and taken on tasks when I was already past my mental capacity. I have now learned that saying no to others that don’t serve you and your purpose, means saying yes to yourself. It has been an extreme weight lifted from my shoulders to be able to afford turning down projects and events to better serve my own mental health and business goals.

For those starting their journey as a creative entrepreneur, there are so many things I wish I had the time to guide you on! Well, you could always apply for The Craft Academy to receive coaching by me, but in this moment, platform, and opportunity, my best advice is to invest in yourself, in the right tools, and focus on yourself. Don’t get caught up in the comparison game of social media. It is a slippery slope! Work backwards- what is it that you want to do or be known for? Then ask yourself what do you need to do to get there. If you are facing a lack of confidence and undergoing imposter syndrome, find yourself a supportive community that is relatable to you. If you lack the knowledge of how to run a creative business, invest in a creative Business Coach. If you lack the skillset, invest in workshops and courses. The important reminder is to not let yourself get in your own way.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

My health condition has really shaped the audience I want to target for my business. I have partnered with some incredible clients, and achieved so many goals I could not have even dreamed of. As I become more selective, niche down, and generate more brand awareness, my goal is to partner with more clean beauty, health and wellness brands across all areas. I am such an advocate for mental health and autoimmune awareness. Brands that support these two areas speak volume, and I would be honored to partner with them- these brands include Biossance, Merit Beauty, Rare Beauty, Cécred, Athleta, ILIA, Netflix Golden / Netflix, and much more. In addition, as a proud Taiwanese woman, I would love to partner with companies and brands that support women, and Asian-Americans. If you fall under this category, or genuinely want to show support and be entertained, please reach out to me via email at [email protected], or check out my website to submit an inquiry (www.inkandinnuendos.com). I would love to explore ideas together, and provide an experience like you have never had before.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Villa Visuals
Mara Friedman Photography