Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Silao.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Pamela. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I actually don’t remember drawing that much as a child but when we got the spirograph (geometric drawing toy), I remember having to wait for my mom to finishing using it to get a try. I also remember making block letters all around my notebooks and “doodling” whenever I wasn’t taking notes. Fast forward to college and I changed my major from Engineering to Graphic Design. It’s funny when you don’t feel like something is “work” no matter how many hours it takes. That’s when I knew I was on the right path. After nine years in San Diego, I moved to New York City to fulfill my dream of living in the big city. I didn’t even have a job lined up. Six months in, I landed my first graphic design job in the big city. I stayed at this job too long for different reasons but glad I finally switched over to temp position at a large company. It was during my time here that I found the time and drive to finally start my own graphic design company. While I currently still have a full-time job, my side hustle is what makes me happy.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, from staying at a dead-end job to not having the motivation or energy to start my own business. The way I started was actually a tip from my now husband: start listening to “motivational speakers” or podcasts that have anything to do with your interests. Listening to others talk about their journey helped me to realize that no one is going to help me but me. It’s not going to be easy and it is going to be constant work. Even when you reach your goals, you hopefully made some new ones that you start to work towards. One particular person that I enjoyed listening to is Gary Vaynerchuk. He is a no bullshit guy who loves what he does and tries to help as many people as he can to fulfill their dreams by being brutally honest. Other people I like to listen to are Joe Rogan and Brene Brown.
Please tell us about Mango Designs.
I specialize in modern brush lettering and really enjoy teaching workshops where I can pass along any knowledge I may know to those who are curious about the art form. It was a goal of mine to hold workshops but I didn’t even expect it to happen this past year, which has been a blessing in disguise. When the opportunity came about, it definitely lit a fire under my butt, so to speak, to get things moving along. What I like about these workshops is working with others to teach/guide them in a journey that I started not too long ago. It’s nice to create logos for a new company but there is something about teaching that just makes me feel good.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
Growing up, my mother always told my sister and I that we have all these balls to juggle up in the air. “If you lose track of one, you lose track of them all.” We would mouth off, as many children do when we heard her repeat the phrase for the hundredth time. Unknowingly, this instilled in me a need to pay attention to detail, which has grown into a great strength to go along with my passion for creating beautiful designs. With hard working parents, you don’t really grow up knowing how to be any other way. Whether it was cleaning the house every weekend or my dad calling / texting me asking if my car is clean. Can you see a trend? Being clean and organized is definitely a must when trying to pursue different goals. I still make to do lists and I find that is the only way I can get things done. I also try to not pressure myself too much. One of my goals is to letter everyday. I tell myself to do just five minutes a day, which usually turns into 30 minutes or a couple of hours. Then if I don’t practice my lettering for more than three days in a row, then I will force myself to sit down and write.
Contact Info:
- Website: mangodesigns.org
- Email: psilao@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psilao/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mangoesmakememories/
- Twitter: @psilao
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/mangoesmakememories/
Image Credit:
Myself and my now husband, Clyde Morgan.
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