Tavia Brown
Tavia Brown is the owner, designer, and creator of Taviametal, which creates “one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry that is elegance with an edge.”
5 Questions is a series where online business women are asked 5 questions about life as a mom and entrepreneur. To be featured, please contact me.
1. What or who inspired you to start your business?
I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was six years old. I don’t really know what was at the core of that, other than a desire to create – paint, draw, mold in clay. Growing up I attended many community arts and crafts classes, along with courses in high school, including a summer at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In college, I continued my quest and found a new way to express myself in jewelry, and I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Metals in 1998.
So, as you can see, it was just always apparent to me that I would be creating in some form. Although there is not one particular person that was my inspiration, I always had endless support from my family. At a young age I couldn’t always answer that question “What are you going to do with that??” I just knew I had the drive to be an artist. The fact that it was not the “norm” was right up my alley. I do tend to be a rule-follower, but I also believe that some rules are meant to be broken.
Immediately following college I found employment as a bench jeweler at the studio of a local high-end jewelry designer. This experience proved to be invaluable to my growth as a metalsmith and as a business owner. After a couple years there, in 2001, I started my business as a part-time endeavor, beginning the start of my dream. That same year my husband started his own business, and together we supported our beginnings and fed our thirsts for something different. (Keep in mind, this was all pre-children!) It has been a slow road, one full of redirection, passion, patience and drive. Today I work full-time for taviametal – a feat of which I am proud!
2. What motivates you?
Just to be doing something I love. My passion is creating contemporary art jewelry. I strive to be true to my voice and create one-of-a-kind and limited edition pieces. I also love creating custom work specially made for clients. Whether I am making the perfect engagement ring, a beautiful wedding set, mother’s jewelry, or memorial objects, I strive to maintain my style, my craftsmanship and my passion. I also keep my goals forefront in my mind at all times. To be creating, to be a good mom, to be a loving wife and to be a metalsmith. I know my kids will grow to learn that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve your dreams.
3. How do you balance being a mom and an entrepreneur?
In the beginning of my adventure into mommy-hood (in 2005), I wasn’t sure what to expect. I imagined being “that mom” who would keep going with baby on hip, doing the same life. I was hopeful to be able to maintain my career while having my child, or children, with me. My first-born was colicky and it became apparent pretty quickly that I would not be able to have him at the studio with me while I worked. Having a challenging baby made me have to rethink my “plan”. I did not have a childcare lined up – I wasn’t even on a waiting list anywhere – to create time for me at the studio. I stayed home with my son for 5 months and found myself desperate for care, as I had a 5 day trip I needed to take for a show. I thus had to make a quick decision to find daycare. Both of my kids now go to a full time day care/preschool. I have two children (4 and 17 months) and I work my schedule around what is a good match for the whole family. My son is now in the official preschool class at his daycare. His schedule has changed, so I am currently working to adapt my schedule to suit. I am so happy for the flexibility of self-employment! And, actually, as I write this I am at the end of an unexpected day at home because my baby girl had a fever. It isn’t always easy. I do have to remind myself to breathe, to un-plug, and to relax at times. Laughing with my children helps the stress melt away. I find it very important to remain present when I am with them – although that is hard at times. Of course, my ever-so-supportive husband helps out tremendously and even becomes “Mr. Mom” when I am away at shows and on days/nights that I need extra work – for this I am eternally grateful and know that I couldn’t do this without his undying support.
4. What do you love most about what you do?
Creating. Exercising my imagination, my passion and my skills. I love it all. (I even, secretly, like the marketing!).
5. What single piece of advice would you give someone who is starting out?
Seek advice when you need it. There are a lot of free services out there in most communities or one nearby – SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, there are even indie-groups that get together which can be valuable to join, seek opinions, and be with like-minded individuals. Take advantage! I do!
You can contact Tavia at tavia_at_taviametal.com, follow her on Twitter: @taviametal, or check out Taviametal.
Please visit our 5 Questions page or feel free to contact me for more information.
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