Meet Penelope Timitali

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

Hi Penelope, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I owe my strong work ethic to my mom, who was an incredibly hardworking woman. She owned a business with seamstresses working for her, and the dedication to craftsmanship runs deep in our family, starting with my grandmother, my mom’s mom. Most of my mom’s sisters knew how to sew, although they weren’t all in the sewing business. My aunt, whom I’m named after, was a talented designer, and another one of my aunts helped out with sewing. Together, they built a successful venture. Her daughter was also in with the business, contributing her sewing skills alongside her mom. Today, my cousin and I are still holding it down in the sewing game, continuing the legacy of hard work, creativity, and dedication that has been passed down through generations.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hello, my name is Penelope Tinitali. I was born and raised in Tacoma, WA, and now reside in Puyallup, WA. I am the proud owner of Teine Teu Teu, a name that embodies the essence of a woman who loves to decorate, dress up, adorn, mend, and garnish. To me, it represents a Proverbs woman—someone who rises early, organizes her day, and prepares for her family. She is a busy, hardworking woman who still finds time to care for herself, her home, and her children in a creative and decorative way. This is the spirit of Teine Teu Teu, and it reflects what I do.

I owe my strong work ethic to my mom, an incredibly hardworking woman who owned a business with seamstresses working for her. The dedication to craftsmanship runs deep in our family, starting with my grandmother. Most of my mom’s sisters, including the aunt I’m named after, were involved in the sewing business. My aunt was a talented designer, and together they built a successful venture. Her daughter also contributed her sewing skills alongside her mom. Today, my cousin and I continue to uphold the legacy of hard work, creativity, and dedication that has been passed down through generations.

Growing up, I was always surrounded by fashion. My grandmother sewed, my aunts sewed, and my mom ran a clothing store with seamstresses. My mom also had a screen printing business, which my stepdad operated. I always loved fashion, but it wasn’t until my mom lost her business and life moved on that I realized it was my true passion and purpose.

I am a single mom of three wonderful kids. Tragically, their dad passed away in 2018. Afterward, I found myself in a really difficult domestic violence relationship. Sewing became my refuge and passion, pushing me through those challenging times and giving me strength and purpose.

I had always dreamed of going to fashion school, but I dropped out of highschool and faced challenges that kept me from pursuing that path. My kids were often sick, and I didn’t trust daycare, so I chose to care for them myself. I also helped my mom, who was caring for my little sister’s kids, and supported her with my nieces and nephews. I was working at Jack and the box and my paychecks were very small my checks would be $150 and I couldn’t support my family with that. During this time, I bought a sewing machine for $20 at Goodwill to teach myself to sew. My mom was my biggest supporter, encouraging me every step of the way. I began making clothes for my daughters, my mom, and myself. We would shop for fabrics at Goodwill, turning $1 to $5 finds into beautiful creations.

As my skills grew, family and friends began to ask for my sewing services, starting with small items like skirts and children’s dresses. I started researching fashion shows and came across Utopia, a big organization that placed the largest order I had ever received. It was a challenging experience, with my mom and I staying up all night sewing. She would check my work, and if it wasn’t perfect, she’d have me redo it. Though it was tough, I learned a lot from that order.

I then participated in a fashion show hosted by the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, which led to more orders and inspired me to get my business license and officially start my sewing business. For three years, I showcased my designs at their events. In 2020, I was given the opportunity to run the fashion shows, and in 2021, I orchestrated my first one. We are now approaching our fifth annual show, which provides a platform for upcoming Samoan designers to showcase our culture through fashion. Since we started, many young Samoans have taught themselves to sew and joined the show. Samoa is a very small island not many know what and who Samoa is and this show is for us to be recognized we want to make some noise out here in the states bringing communities together sharing our cultural love to the world through the art of fashion.

I also opened a boutique sewing shop I did sewing and screen printing at home and I would bring the stuff I made to the shop, which I ran for about a year before deciding to embark on a new venture with my sisters, who are estheticians specializing in facials, hair, and makeup. Our new shop will be a one-stop beauty destination, offering hair, makeup, fashion, and beauty services. We will also host beauty and fashion arts and crafts workshops and a broadcast. We’re excited about our upcoming fifth annual fashion show, which will feature some big changes and beautiful surprises.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities that were most impactful for me were resilience, creativity, and a strong work ethic.

1. **Resilience**: Life threw many challenges my way, from becoming a young mother to facing personal hardships. Resilience helped me push through these obstacles and emerge stronger. For those early in their journey, I recommend embracing setbacks as learning opportunities. Each challenge can teach you valuable lessons and build your inner strength.

2. **Creativity**: My passion for fashion and sewing allowed me to express myself and find joy even in difficult times. Creativity isn’t just about artistic skills; it’s about finding innovative solutions to problems and thinking outside the box. To develop this, surround yourself with inspiration, whether through art, nature, or other creative people, and don’t be afraid to try new things.

3. **Strong Work Ethic**: This was instilled in me by my family, especially my mom. Hard work and dedication were key to building my business and pursuing my dreams. For those starting out, focus on setting goals and working consistently towards them. Even small, daily efforts can lead to significant achievements over time.

For anyone early in their journey, remember that growth takes time and patience. Surround yourself with supportive people, stay true to your passions, and never stop learning. These qualities will guide you through both the highs and lows of your path.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

The person who has been most instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and develop the essential skills for success is my mom. Her unwavering support and encouragement have been a constant source of strength for me. She taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, and her own dedication to her craft has been a powerful example for me to follow.

My mom was always there to guide me, whether it was checking my sewing work to ensure it was perfect or providing emotional support during tough times. She believed in my potential even when I doubted myself, and that belief pushed me to keep going and strive for excellence.

Having someone who believes in you and supports your dreams is invaluable. My mom’s influence has shaped who I am today, and I am incredibly grateful for her.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

E.y.g.scences took the four photos of me in the neon green dress I made And in the red dress with feathers the rest my kids did my 11 yr old son

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