Get to know… Tammy from Uniquity Design

I first met Tammy over drinks and dinner, after she had done our NQSS logo. Who does a logo, free of charge, for somebody they don’t even know? This girl!

Tammy was a friend-of-a-friend and very quickly became a friend of ours. She loved the NQSS concept and was happy to give us some guidance (or at least she acted happy!) in the early stages.

Tammy is the talent behind Uniquity Designs. Under this brand, she’s worked with many clients from small startups to big name companies. She’s helped them develop an image and communicate their message through superior design work. Tammy is also a bride’s best friend with Uniquity Invitations, her stylish DIY invitation templates. She wasn’t always a designer extroidenair, and the story behind women entrepreneurs is usually a fascinating one, so I sat down with Tammy for coffee (actually it was cowboy salad at Browns), and learned about her personal and professional journey.

Early on, design as a career wasn’t even on Tammy’s radar. Planning to study Early Childhood Education, Tammy happened upon a friend’s sister’s portfolio of work from design school. Tammy thought it looked fun, and having never realized that design could be a career, she had some reevaluating to do. She decided to take some night school drawing classes. Tammy discovered something: She had talent! Armed with a new passion she enrolled in design school at Kwantlen. Her first two years of study were in Foundation Designs. Tammy’s school experience was truly educational. She told me stories about the cool and innovative projects they took on, and how, even very early on they were expected to think outside the box, do their research, know their clients, innovate solutions, justify their choices and present to the class. Tammy spoke about her schooling with such excitement and passion, it sounded like the coolest Odyssey Club ever and I desperately wanted to play!

Tammy imagined she’d continue with a specialization in interior design, but left-handed drafting was messy business so this creative mind decided to pursue graphic design instead. She spent two more years honing her graphic design skills and emerged ready to take on the professional world, and she did, for a while. After her daughter was born, she decided to go out on her own. It took some time to establish her client base, but eventually she had more than enough work (remember, she’s still got that baby!).

About five years ago, Tammy started Uniquity Invitations. She began by doing wedding invites for a friend and noticed a void in the wedding market for invitation templates. She was the first in North America to offer editable templates. The DIY option is simple, and as the FAQ tells us, you don’t have to be Martha to do this. With so many template sets to choose from, there is something for every taste and wedding style. When I got married, 9 years ago, we did DIY invitations, but the problem is, we didn’t have a designer on our side. They weren’t bad, but they certainly weren’t good. If you want to save some money but don’t want to sacrifice style, Uniquity Invitations might be that perfect fit. Check out the Groupon for Uniquity Invitations and take advantage of this amazing offer.

I’m always impressed with women who seem to be able to do it all. I asked Tammy how she does it and her candid answers impressed me even more. “It was really hard when the kids were young,” she remarks. Tammy did her share of taking phone calls with the kids around, running away for peace and professionalism only to find herself standing outside, on the phone, locked out of her own house. Eventually, Tammy began using some childcare. With this new plan, she could give each part of her life the attention is needed. Work time was for work and family time for family. Any other way and “nobody wins” she says. Now, with both children in school, Tammy’s freelance career is taking off and she has the time to grow her businesses and enjoy her successes.

I asked Tammy what advice she has for women looking to do any type of work from home. She told me that she would actually suggest waiting until your children are in school, as the time home with them is so brief. If the passion is strong, or you need to work, she cautions that you be very realistic about how much you can take on. She also credits her husband with supporting her freelance work.”Deciding to work from home is a whole family decision. Everybody has to pull together to make it work.”

As a freelancer who works from home, I’m hanging on her every word. This woman grew a successful business and raised two beautiful children; if she’s talking I’m listening. Her final secret to a balanced life? No cell phone. This tech savvy graphic designer would rather be totally present with whomever she’s with then on-call. She does concede that her life allows her to be cell phone free and if she had a long daily commute she would consider getting one, but the cell phone free policy still reigns in spirit; don’t let your lives overlap and you’ve got the best shot at balance.

Tammy has designed trade show booths, reports, ads, logos (including the Surrey Nature Centre logo which I love, love, love!), magazines, websites and of course, the popular invitation templates. Her portfolio is a real testament to the variety of work she can do and the sheer talent she has. There are so many small and home-based businesses in the hood, so I asked Tammy what advice she had for us. “Invest in design from the very beginning of your business. It shows you are professional, and take your product or service seriously.”  She comments that clients will trust you more, assuming you didn’t just set up shop. Tammy urges startups and small businesses to consider design work even if they think they don’t have the means. “If you’re on a budget – and who isn’t – ask your designer if he or she can design a few templates for you to work from if needed.” Tammy says that most designers can work within a budget, breaking up a project into sizable chunks, or can be creative with printing to reduce costs. Still not convinced that a professional designer is the right route for you? Tammy says, ”If you wish to take on some design projects on your own, simplicity is best. Make one part of the piece your focal point, and figure out where you want the reader’s eye to go next.” She also reminds us that white space is our friend, and bigger is not always better.

Just like Dina, we put Tammy on the spot for a few fun questions:

What do you love about the NQSS area?

You two represent the reason I love NQSS. We are a community of people that believe in community. We know our neighbours and help each other out. I love that there are always people walking around and they say ‘hi’ to me as I pass. I also love that I can walk to parks, schools, grocery stores, doctors, vets, dentists etc., and that there are a ton of small businesses here!

How do you keep sane?
I keep sane by going out! When you work from home, getting out of the house is key.

Tell us one thing that delights you?
Something that delights me? Cuddles from my kids and husband, landing a new project, coffee, wine, and good food. Oh and a favorite new typeface!

Who is your hero?
Anyone I can learn from.

Mac or PC?
I have had only 3 Macs in over 12 years. Mac all the way!