Tropically Grown & Made With Love

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tammy Vicuña, Founder of Tamtam, located in Makati. Metro Manila, Philippines.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Tamtam focuses on digital illustrations, custom merchandise, and content creation. My customers are mostly fans of various Asian media, such as Japanese animation and Chinese novels. It's always a great experience to be able to socialize with people who consume the same cultural products as me.

Tell us about yourself

I'm Tammy, a self-taught indie artist and owner of Tamtam. My skills involve various forms of multimedia arts and illustration. I took up Travel and Hospitality at university and Culinary Arts and Technology Management right after. Due to the hectic nature of the food and tourism industry, I found it difficult to stay in one job due to my disabilities. I then started to post my digital art online and found a loving audience who supported me. When the pandemic was at its worst, I decided to monetize my artwork via subscriptions on Patreon and a local e-commerce website called Shopee. The support of my patrons is what keeps me going. It motivates me to know that many people of diverse backgrounds are enjoying my artwork.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is being able to connect with people internationally. In the beginning, my customers were only local supporters from the Philippines. In 2021, I put up a website and e-commerce page that allows me to ship my artwork and merchandise worldwide.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Being under the self-employed category, it's quite hard to manage everything by myself. I am my own boss, but I'm also the head artist, social media manager, logistics officer, accountant, etcetera. It's quite hard to juggle between different jobs, but it has been a good challenge!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Find your niche. I always tell people not to go along with trends and be original! I've fostered a loyal audience because I was offering something unique.

Second, learn the basics of marketing. I feel like most artists do not have knowledge of media advertising due to the lack of art schools that teach them. There are many online courses and Youtube videos that help first-time business owners how to handle marketing and finances.

Lastly, be willing to accept criticism. The key to customer retention is how you handle their feedback. Implementing changes and improvements will make clients feel that they are heard.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dahliadenoire.com/
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dahliadenoire
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dahliadenoire/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dahliadenoire

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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