I’m a big admirer of Tina because she’s the ultimate renaissance woman – she was trained as a graphic designer, and she’s become an entrepreneur and major force in bringing creative people together, through CreativeMornings and Studiomates. I really admire this progression that some designers are making, from doing work at an agency, to freelancing, to doing side projects as their main focus.
I had the chance to meet her at the Tattly birthday party, and she was fantastic and made time for an interview.
I had the chance to meet her at the Tattly birthday party, and she was fantastic and made time for an interview.
 |
| Tina’s Blog, Swiss Miss |
What aspects of your career are you the most proud of?
What a fantastic question! I am most proud of seeing something I made having a positive impact on other people’s lives: TeuxDeux helping people stay organized. CreativeMornings inspiring and connecting people around the world. Studiomates giving birth to lots and lots of projects and companies just by the sheer fact that smart people hang out together every day. Tattly employing a group of smart and talented young people and creating passive income for our illustrators.
If you weren’t a designer, what do you think you would be doing?
I came close to signing up for architecture school. But if you ask me now, my current secret back-up career would be to become a landscape architect.
How do your life and work relate to each other? How do you keep balance between the two?
I love what I do so much, that I would never stop. Meeting my husband, having kids has helped me find some much needed work-life balance. Now, I come to the studio at 9 am and go home at 6 pm to be with my family. I no longer work on weekends. My kids have been my biggest career catalyst as well my biggest reason for working less. Or maybe, working more efficiently, I should say?
What is the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome in your career?
Waiting for the right moment. I always thought I’d start my own design studio, magically waiting for that ‘right moment’ to come. Then, I got pregnant with my first daughter and realized that the right moment never comes. The right moment is now. If you really want something, you have to be courageous and just do it.
What sort of plans do you make for the future? How far out do you make plans and goals for?
I do like to set rough goals, 6 months out, but in the end of the day, I am very much a spontaneous gut-reaction driven person.
 |
| Creative Mornings is totally worth getting up early. |
I’d like to thank Tina for taking the time to answer my questions, and for being a huge inspiration.
Also, I think Tattly tattoos are made of magic, since I have one (AWESOME) that has been on my arm for five and a half weeks.