Miss Independent- Tamara Nicole

I am so excited to introduce you to today's Miss Independent:

Wedding Planner Tamara Nicole!

Hello there!

I am so excited to be guest posting for the adorable Jess today!

(thanks hun!)

My name is Tammy

(aka Tamara Nicole)

from Simply by Tamara Nicole Weddings and Events.

 I help plan weddings in the Seattle area and absolutely LOVE my job. My favorite part, apart from getting to know and become friends with my clients is designing and styling their event, helping them use DIY touches to personalize their special day and save some moolah while we’re at it.

Stop by and say hi, and see what I do:

website // blog // twitter

1. What made you decide to start your own business? (what was your biggest factor that helped you commit to the decision)

I have always loved to plan and decorate.  To make fun favors, DIY craft projects, I love it all! I grew up with an amazing mother who was so creative and crafty! She had a ceramics shop while we were growing up and we would paint and hang out all the time.  My mother also taught us to sew and we knew how to make clothes while I was in elementary school.  She has been such an amazing influence in my life and I know I got my creativity from her example! 

I started an Etsy shop a few years back to have an outlet for my creativity. There was no creativity in Biology at UW (go Huskies!) or in my job so this was important to me. From my shop I created many items FOR weddings . . .

I always "dibs" planning friend's showers, parties, etc.  When any of my family members or friends would plan their weddings I would be more than eager to help make wedding invitations, decorate, organize, plan, you name it I loved it!

THEN I met the love of my life and got to plan my own wedding and was in cloud 9 . . . of course with being in love AND with planning the wedding.  SO much fun.

(Northern Lights Photography)

The thought had crossed my mind of planning weddings, BUT I had a friend that was doing that and I didn't want to "copy".  But thinking about it more and more . . . it started to creep up more in the back of my mind. Then one date night with the hubby he convinced me to just do it.  It just felt right! So we went home, created a wedding blog, website, etc and started advertising and off it went!

(You can read more in depth of how I started on my 2011 in review post here)

(Hendricks Kim Photography)

2. What was your biggest risk or fear about starting a business?

My biggest fear is what if people weren't happy with my work, or how things turn out. This is a service industry, and everyone has different styles. My style will not always coincide with theirs. Also there is pressure, planning pretty much one of the biggest days of their lives. They have spent so much money on this one day and I just want it to be PERFECT (kind of a perfectionist!). So far so good though!

I've since learned that we are our biggest critic, and just to silence my doubts. As you go and get fabulous reviews and feedback it gives you more conifance in yourself and your skills, and that self doubt goes away.

  

(Simply Sonja Photography)

3. How did you know what you wanted to do?

It just felt right. I wasn't sure what would happen when I made the decision to open up my own wedding planning business, but I just plunged right in with all my passion and determination. I prayed a lot about it too, because I am an all or nothing kind of person and I wanted to make sure it was the right direction to take our life. Everything just progressed perfectly and I just knew. 

I was meant for this!

(Amy Walton Photography)

4. What support system do you have for your business?

First and foremost is my husband. He has been the best! He understands my late nights, our loss of some weekends. He drives me to events, helps me set up at wedding shows, and is my go to when I need advice, although he's such a guy and doesn't really care about girly details and weddings he still tries to help and it's pretty adorable!

Also all of my friends and family are super supportive. I know I can count on craft nights with my girls, and advice and a listening ear from anyone around me. I am truly blessed to have so many supportive people around me!

Oh and don't forget my lovely blog friends! The sweet comments I get on a daily basis make me so happy!

 (Photography by Tanmay Ganacharya)

5. Do you have a "real" job to supplement income, or are you self-sufficient? (And if it's personal, just feel free to kick me!)

I DO have a "day job" for now. I am a lead Orthodontic Assistant and love that too!  I work pretty much (4) 9 hour days, but then I have 3 day weekends for weddings!  It's nice to be able to do what I love without having to charge an arm and a leg to supplement. I know I just have to work extra hard now (with both jobs), but it is an investment in our future! When the hubby and I do decide to have kids, I can raise them and do weddings on the weekends. Right now we can enjoy life, and travel the world before we do reach that next milestone in life (children!).

 (M Kippen Photography)

 (Lin and Jirsa Photography)

6. What is the biggest advice someone gave you?

I LOVE this job and I just know it is what I am supposed to be doing. If you have that dream and motivation you truly can do anything. You just have to keep going even when you doubt yourself. 

What I've heard from others is this: Surround yourself with amazing supportive people, or find a mentor. You need a support system when you take any big leap of faith in life.

(Northern Lights Photography)

Thanks so much Jess! If anyone has any questions on how to start a business or anything at all don't hesitate to ask me!

(hey that's me on the left after a crazy sweaty day of working hard on an Inspiration Shoot)

Thanks Tamara! (Isn't she the cutest?) Now if only I lived in Seattle or was planning on getting married... ;)

PS Don't forget to contact to me if you are interested in participating in Miss Independent!