Today we’d like to introduce you to Taryn Sutherland.
Taryn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have had a background in art most of my life, which has always been my greatest passion. This leads me to a major in Art History in college (with yes, many questions of “what are you going to do with that”?) I discovered the wedding industry towards the end of college and fell in love. Unfortunately, my career path took me down a different road, getting me further and further from my passion.
While planning my own wedding in 2013 I realized I knew where I needed to be, and started the Twinkle & Toast hustle on the side of my full-time job that same year. I threw my entire being into furthering my education of art, calligraphy, hand lettering, paper, print work… and I started getting hired for wedding signage and calligraphy. My business slowly evolved into a full custom wedding stationery and invitation studio, offering complete customization, hand lettering and fine printing processes.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The journey hasn’t always been easy, and I’m still constantly learning and evolving.
Working a full time 40 hours/week job while pouring every spare ounce of myself into a developing business was tiring. Relationships often felt strained and I was physically and mentally exhausted. I knew I needed to put in the work and sacrifice to make the leap to owning a business full time, and it finally paid off in 2014. I’ve been working solely for myself ever since.
However – when you work for yourself you don’t have “no” bosses… you have a LOT of bosses (my clients). Over the years I’ve struggled back and forth to find the right balance of giving my all and setting boundaries. Learning to shut off and have office hours and limits – while still delivering the best level of service possible to those I’m honored to work with.
I’ve made plenty of mistakes, all which have been extremely valuable. Because of those mistakes I’ve implemented new procedures, learned and grew, and made myself and my business only better because of them.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Twinkle & Toast – what should we know?
I’m a designer and calligrapher of one-of-a-kind wedding invitations and stationery, each product custom tailored to each couple and tells their story. I cherish the process and time I have with my clients: getting to know them, coming up with solutions that will work in their budget, curating a selection of paper, materials and print processes that turn into a beautiful product in the end.
Weddings are such an important day in someone’s life – so I take the responsibility to contribute to their celebration very seriously. I want to become their trusted friend they can depend on – not just make it a transaction of services. I have a hard time letting go when it all comes to an end!
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve been thankful for the platform of Instagram – with it I’ve found such incredible supporters and creative women I can look up to. I have so many friends here that I’ve never even met in person – yet we both know we can always turn to one another for comfort and advice.
I also feel so fortunate to be working in the wedding industry in general, which (unlike other industries) is predominantly dominated by women… FIERCE boss women. I know within this industry I can always find approachable, strong fellow business owners that know exactly what I’m going through. And you know what? Bitches get shit done. (Can I say that?)
Contact Info:
- Website: twinkleandtoast.com
- Email: info@twinkleandtoast.com
Image Credit:
Amy Lynn, Cavin Elizabeth, Jenna Joseph, Society House
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