Today we’d like to introduce you to Malisa and Tan Durongphan.
Malisa and Tan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
We started our little company wanting to make little things for our daughter Emma. I have a passion for DIY, and Tan, my husband, surprised me one day and told me he ordered a laser cutting machine for me for my birthday. I started making things here and there, friends asked me to make custom cake toppers for them, and we ended up building a little business out of it.
We also wanted to give back because we were so blessed with the amount of support we received. We were also inspired by our friend Olivia from Atiliay who uses her cards for a cause to give back; not just to the community, but meals to kids in Africa. She inspired us so much, that we decided to donate a portion of our proceeds to kiddos/orphans at the Deaf School for Children in Prachin Buri, Thailand. Last year from November to December we were able to raise 660 meals! This year, so far, we have raised over 4000 meals, which is enough to feed the whole school for a week.
We are where we are today in the wedding industry business because of our amazing friend Kaylyn, from Pirouette Paper Company. We met her at the Wanderloft Party in Long Beach during the winter of 2017. She has been so amazing to us, and we have met so many more amazing industry friends because of her. We have been so thankful and blessed to have met Kaylyn!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We have had some ups and downs in our business. We’ve had our machine go out of commission a few times but we were able to find a way to get over those obstacles. Tan and I do argue sometimes when it comes to business wise, but we try not to let this get in the way of our marriage; Tan always tells me when we get into fights “This business is not worth us fighting”. I am definitely blessed to have Tan as my partner in life and my partner in the business.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Creative Amme story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a laser cutting and etching company. We make customized signage, so we laser cut words and names out for backdrops. We also make cake toppers, acrylic table numbers, acrylic signs; anything you can think of that requires cutting and etching, we can do it!
What we are most proud about our company is that we are able to give back. We have been so blessed with the amount of support that our family, friends, friendors, and our followers have given us, so we felt that we should give back also!
I think what sets us apart from others is that 90% of our items we design and make ourselves. It’s our own hands, our hearts and soul into every single piece that we make.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
We have had amazing luck in building relationships with some amazing people: Roda and Mae from Bestcreationz, Anne Machitar from Munum, Rose Yutuc from Vyn Jewelry, Olivia from Atiliay, Kaylyn from Pirouette Paper Company, Jackie from Penelope Pots Floral Design, Erika from One Social Design, Melissa and Sabrina from Golden Arrow Events and Design. Rachel from Elise Cakes, Diana from Sugar Crush Sweets, Michelle and Liz from Love Wildly Co., Stephanie from The Fashionable Events and sooooo many more!!
We believe that keeping the relationships is what makes your company a great success.
We are so thankful for each and everyone who we have met along the way. If it wasn’t for them, we may never be where we are today. Creative Amme is where it is because of them!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.instagram.com/CreativeAmme
- Phone: 562-448-2242
- Email: CreativeAmme@gmail.com
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