Learn something new, make someone smile, and create something beautiful.

I’m a little sarcastic, very punny, and a bit too fond of chocolate for my own good.

I lovingly refer to my husband as “my red-head”, and enjoy helping him run his hand-made gifts business – which is how I first became an entrepreneur.

I was fortunate enough to have a good friend whose father was a graphic designer, so I got to see how things worked pretty early. Add to that an old copy of Adobe Photoshop and self-taught HTML, and I knew I wanted a job with computers and art.

Flash forward to college, majoring in Graphic Design and Printing Technology. I not only learned essential graphic and web design skills but also how to use the presses that print those designs. I can’t begin to explain how important that technical know-how is! (Plus, I had the added perk of meeting my future husband.)

A few years later found me married and working for a small publishing company, with a wide array of responsibilities. I made sales, designed the books, and ensured they were print-ready. On the side, I was also freelancing with my design skills and helping my husband start his business.

When the publishing company closed down with only 30 days notice, it was sink or swim time. My husband and I both worked there, so our entrepreneurial ventures were suddenly our only income. So, we pushed hard to launch his business in a meaningful way, and I’m happy to say we grew by leaps and bounds that year.

Enter my first client who wanted more than just design from me! I used my few years of experience getting our own business off the ground to lay a foundation for growth in hers. She then recommended me to a friend, and the rest is, as they say, history!

Name: Tanya Podawiltz

Nickname: T-Pod

Superhero alias: Captain Clumsy

Birthday: May 28

Height: 5′ 2″ of pure intimidation. Kinda.

Hair color: Brown

Eye color: Green

Ultimate joy: Rocking out to music when no one else is around.

Allergies: Cinnamon and lettuce. Yes, really.

Arch-nemesis: The semicolon at the end of a CSS attribute – I swear they disappear on their own.

Saving grace: The undo function…

Favorite quotes: “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” —Albert Einstein ● “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” —Joan of Arc

Totem animal: Owl

Pets: 2 cats, Uno and Shinobi.

Bonus Factoid: I love animated movies, especially Miyazaki movies. I have enough of the real world in the real world; give me some magic and beautiful art!