Today we’d like to introduce you to Dane Tamayo
Hi Dane, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
The idea of starting a Neon Sign business flourished after my wife and I competed in a bodybuilding show back in 2021. I had an intricate plan of surprising my now wife, with a proposal at the end of the event. My wife had no clue of what was about to happen. On July 25th 2021, the most beautiful thing happened on stage. In front of friends, family, and auditorium full of attendees, I surprised her while she was posing for her routine on stage. I dropped down onto one knee and popped the question, “will you marry me?” With tears running down her cheeks, Leslie answered with a joyous “Yes.” Shortly after, I also found that I had won my men’s fitness category with a gold medal.
Shortly after the show, I happily contacted our bodybuilding coach, Patrick McInnis aka Pattylifts, with the successful engagement proposal and competition results. As a form of gratitude, we sent our Coach Patty a custom LED neon sign that featured his fitness brand logo. Shortly after our “instagram-famous” coach posted videos of his new office decorated with the new LED neon sign, several people were wowed and became interested in owning their personal sign as well.
I took this as a literal sign–and eventually, Neon Gods was born. For the past 2 years, we’ve garnered notable clients such Lebron James, Emo Nite Event/Music Company, Insomniac Productions, University of Southern California (USC). Most recently, we became one of the sponsors for Sabaidee Fest, the largest South East Asian Music Festival in California.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of my biggest hurdles as I was starting the business were not having the right skills set, and time management. I was working as a full-time RN at the time. In order to gain the proper skills set, I had to allot time after work and during the weekends. This meant having to carefully read articles, watch hundreds of youtube videos, and even attend free business classes to be prepared on what I saw as a brand new journey. This budding endeavor also came with many sacrifices. I had to significantly decrease my gym/exercise frequency and take a step back from social engagements. I also made mistakes along the way when I made wrong purchases and investments which resulted in financial repercussions.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have a somewhat non-traditional career journey. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 10 years, and never could I have imagined that one of my goals in life is to be successful in business. My tenure as a full-time nurse ranges from working bedside at an Adult Telemetry unit, to a becoming a Pediatric Specialty nurse, then moving on as Clinical RN educating Resident Doctors, and now finally as a Work-from-home Telephone Advice Nurse. Additionally, I have also worked several years as a part-time Home Health RN.
I knew that I needed to be resourceful and build connections in order for my business to thrive. As a first generation immigrant from the Philippines, I learned that I needed to be proactive to succeed not just in business but throughout my whole life. My family did not have a lot to begin with. There were 7 of us that lived in a small apartment and we lived paycheck to paycheck. Life was difficult and that motivated me to work hard, and do whatever it takes to provide a better life for my family. I ended up graduating at Cal State Long Beach with a Bachelor’s in Nursing. I immediately got hired at the largest Hospital in Long Beach and within 2 years, my family moved into a new home.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I owe gratitude for my successes to my parents and siblings. They were not only my mentors and biggest cheerleaders, but they also became key in making my business what it is now. However, Neon Gods, will not be here if it wasn’t for my co-founder and wife, Leslie. She is the driving force and the brain behind our product creation. I am fortunate to have her as my business and life partner that I can always turn to in making important business and life decisions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://neongods.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shopneongods
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopneongods/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/neon-gods-los-angeles-7
- Other: https://linktr.ee/neongods
