Meet Jea Tang | Small Business Owner & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jea Tang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jea, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When you think about the word “risk”, it has always been paired with “fear”, “threat”, “danger”. Growing up and pursuing a career in the healthcare field, the word “risk” has warned me to avoid it at all cost. Phrases like, “there’s a risk if we do this treatment for this patient,” “there’s a risk for doing this to your body.” Taking risks in healthcare can really proceed with deadly consequences to either my professional license or the patient I’m treating.

But being a creative has switched my mindset into thinking that taking risks doesn’t mean that I’m choosing the dangerous or forbidden path. Rather, risks can also be attributed to “courage”, “possibilities”, and “chances”. Most recently, I’ve taken the risk of pursuing a creative career full-time. Switching from being a nurse practitioner to being a creative has been the most freeing, scary and exciting period of my life. Risking what I know and what is stable to stepping forth in unknown opportunities. The risks I’ve taken has allowed my creativity to thrive and think more positively. As a small business owner, I’ve taken more risks and opened myself up to the possibility of success, as well as welcoming mistakes that open opportunities of growth and learning. Without taking risks as a creative, I’ll be placing myself in a box and limiting myself. Taking risks and learning to open myself to failure has created more paths of “yes”.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
If someone were to ask me, “what do you do for work?” I would have had this answer of “I’m a nurse practitioner that works for a healthcare tech company, managing nurses, and I also do wedding photography and make earrings on the side.” In the past few years, I’ve been juggling all my creative side hustles while growing in my nursing career. It was really great, but the call to pursue my passion, full-time, strengthened, especially as I felt the growing stress and burnout from healthcare.

Around the end of 2022, I was really experiencing high amounts of stress from my role and responsibilities in the health tech company I was working with. Being a clinical manager, I had to work through really difficult challenges, from people management, advocating for my team, ensuring excellent performance, etc. Despite efforts to try to fix every problem and make improvements, I decided that the best choice is to step down from my role. At the same time, the company had decided to let go all of the telehealth nurse practitioners, which also involved letting me go. Despite the unfortunate situation, it felt like an answered prayer. I’ve always had the excuse of “I never have enough time to be creative.” And so, here I am making strides into pursuing my creativity as a small business owner, photographer and jewelry-maker.

I began my jewelry-making journey in May 2020, right after a good friend created my very first custom-made polymer clay earrings for my graduation. I came up with the design and she made them into earrings and named them the “Eunice” (after my middle name) and also opened it up for people to receive on Facebook Group called “subtle asian traits”. The response to the earrings were so good. A few months later, I wanted to try to see if I can learn how to make earrings and bought my first DIY kit on Amazon and started to think of a name for my brand. “Dreaming of Clay” was born because I didn’t want my dreams to stay as dreams. It was a promise to myself that I’d love for this dream to come true.

That summer of 2020, I had sold 86 pairs of earrings over my Instagram. And in the past 2.5 years, I’ve handmade and sold over 3500 units of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and hair clips and continuing to expand to different handmade items. I’m excited to see how much I can grow my business, especially that I’m dedicating all my efforts into my creativity.

What I love most about my Dreaming of Clay jewelry is that it’s inspired by my own life events. Every piece is curated and handmade with the hopes of inspiring others. When I ask people what makes my products unique is that it’s effortlessly classy, elegant and the designs I make out of polymer clay are perfect for every day wear. I love drawing inspiration from the people and places I’ve traveled with. Most recently, I made earrings inspired by my Paris trip and I’m currently working on designs inspired by my Philippines and Hong Kong travels this February.

It isn’t easy to transition to being a full-time creative. I’m taking it one step at a time and continuing to make mistakes, learn and being open to new and different opportunities. The support I’ve received in the past few weeks have been affirming. From booking photoshoots to being invited to pop-up markets, I feel grateful, loved and supported. I can’t be where I am today without all my family and friends who continue to show up, support and share my dreams. I’m truly blessed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend where to visit the area, here’s where I’ll take them in South Florida.

1. Yellow Green Farmers Market – I love coming here with my dog, Echo, and my husband. We love looking through all the different local shops and makers. There are a lot of vendors selling delicious foods and drinks! If you go to the righthand corner, there’s a fruit juice shop called Exotic Juices, that sell the freshest iced fruit slushies! I love mixing mango and dragon fruit together. You don’t want to miss out on that.

2. Cali Coffee – If you love iced lattes and energy drinks, this is really the place to go. My go-to flavors for iced latte is their White Knight, Avalanche, Funky Monkey and Cookies & Cream. They’re expanding in lots of more locations here in Florida.

3. Brickell City Center – Going to Brickell Center provides amazing vibes. I’ve done some photoshoots here and it’s really a great place to walk around, shop and grab a bite or drink. My favorite restaurants there is Pubbelly Sushi and EST. 33 Thai Craft Brewery & Kitchen.

4. If you find yourself a little more up north in Fort Lauderdale I love going to visit Temple Street Eatery to eat. Their ramens, dumplings, and Hong Kong milk tea are amazing. They’re really perfect for lunch. If you want some great coffee or need a place to hang out, check out Cyth & Co. In the same street, you’ll find my favorite boutique, The Wander Shop. They carry the best clothes, accessories, and unique gifts! What I love about all of these places is that they hold pop-ups that help support small & local businesses.

5. Attend local pop up markets – Being a vendor at these pop-up markets, you’ll never know what new small business you might find. Whether it’s their baked goods or handmade crafts/jewelry/candles and more, it means so much to be able to shop small and support local, especially when you’re thinking about something for yourself or to gift to someone. Take the time to speak to the vendors and hear their story. Some of my best supporters come from going and getting to know them at pop-up markets.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to recognize my partner, my family and my friends. I’ve been so blessed to have my husband along side me to cheer me on and help me with the pursuit of my creative career. With every earring collection or photoshoot I edit, he listens, provide input and helps me through words and action. He has been the biggest motivator in all of my dreams. He’s just always been the string to my kite.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the encouragement and support of my family. My parents, siblings and in-laws have all chipped in by helping me at markets, making display stands, and even marketing to their friends. I love how they are eager to help.

I owe the biggest gratitude to my friends, especially with my small business in making jewelry and photography. Whenever I have an event, I’ve seen their amazing support. I’ve received so many referrals just through word of mouth. I have continued to push forward because of the community who has welcomed me with open arms. I can’t thank this community and my friends enough.

Website: https://www.dreamingofclay.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamingofclay

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jeadreamsof

Other: Photography website: https://jeatang.mypixieset.com/

Image Credits
Sarah Twohill Photo