Today we’d like to introduce you to Tami Wilcox.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tami. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I run two businesses — both very different.
Wilcox Writes is my vinyl lettering business I started 12 years ago when I recognized a local need for inexpensive banners and signs, especially for high school events. I learned how to operate a vinyl cutter from my sister-in-law and began making banners for my daughter’s choir performances. Word got out, and I was soon making banners for many of the arts and sports events at both Penasquitos high schools. Next, I branched out into home decor items and offered classes where students could create their craft projects using vinyl lettering. Today, I have added many local businesses to my list of clients, providing wall lettering and nameplates, window signage, and even the lettering for a fleet of vans.
Postcards & Passports is a travel writing adventure I began five years ago as a way to share my travel tips/experiences with family and friends. My daughter helped me set up a blog website and I joined many tutorial groups to learn to navigate the blogging world. I joined Travel Massive San Diego (for travel writers) to learn more about turning my travel writing hobby into a business. I have been invited to join several media trips where I was hosted by a city or tourism board to experience local attractions and share my reviews. I’ve also partnered with a global travel app (GPSmyCity) to create city walking itineraries for them. The business of travel writing is very unique and you often have to create your jobs, but it is highly addictive and has a lot of perks!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Neither business always went smoothly. With Wilcox Writes, there was a long learning curve. Figuring out what my options were, and what I most like to create was the biggest challenge. There were also lots of costly mistakes at the beginning, but now I’ve mastered the techniques and feel comfortable with the jobs I take on.
With Postcards & Passports, the greatest struggle was learning all the technology required to operate a website and understanding how to promote it on social media. There was a whole set of terms and skills I had to learn – like ‘SEO Optimization’, ‘do-follow links’, ‘pinning threads’, ‘affiliate links’ and ‘hashtags’. There’s still more I wish I understood completely, but there are experts I can call on when the blog crashes, for example, and that helps!
Please tell us about your business.
With Wilcox Writes, I specialize in custom work. Every job I do is specifically for the client and their needs, and each job is unique. I specialize in personal attention and quick turn-around, and that’s how I keep my clients. My prices are competitive because I work out of my home and have very little overhead.
My motto for Postcards & Passports is “Travel Strengthens Family”. I promote using travel as a way to strengthen family relationships and get out more often, even if it just means exploring your city better. I specialize in affordable travel and am known for finding the best tips — how to save money, how to avoid lines, how to travel with children, and how to plan trips in easy steps. I think the thing that sets me apart as a travel writer is my gratitude for travel experiences and what it does for my marriage and family.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Wilcox Writes
I have to thank my sister-in-law, Janice Johnson, for teaching me how to use her vinyl cutter and encouraging me to give it a try on my own. I’m also grateful for the support of my husband who believed in me and never worried about the start-up costs! Having Westview High School as my first client was a huge help, and their finance department was so helpful advising me on how to become a preferred vendor.
Postcards & Passports
I am so grateful for the help of my daughter, Heather Young, who set up my blog website and created the graphics I use for my logo and other blog components. Without the help of several blogger friends (www.CrazyLittleProjects.com, www.52PerfectDays.com, www.travelinspiredliving.com) I would never have figured out how to create a successful blog or turn it into a business. And I’m so grateful to my husband who has stood by me (literally) all over the world and helped me with photography, proofreading, and social media promotion.
Contact Info:
- Address: Wilcox Writes, Rancho Penasquitos, 858-722-7842 or wilcoxwrites@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.postcardsandpassports.com
- Phone: 858-722-7842
- Email: wilcoxwrites@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/postcardsandpassports/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PostcardsPassports/ and https://www.facebook.com/wilcoxwritesvinyl/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/postandpassport
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/tamizw/
Image Credit:
Heather Young, Tami Wilcox
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