Meet Delwin Tan | Designer & Co-Founder

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

Hi Delwin, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I draw inspiration primarily from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We do our best to be constantly attuned to the needs of our community and always consider how best to empower them to express themselves. Our “Proud Cubes” collection emerged from this approach, embodying terms like community, freedom, identity, love, peace, challenges, and achievements — all values and experiences that resonate deeply within the queer community.

Also, I studied architecture for 5 years and worked in the industry for 2 years, so architectural design is another main source of inspiration. My creative tendencies often lean towards geometric designs because of my experience with linear and geometric forms. While this preference has limited my exploration into organic forms, it’s a style I’m very comfortable with and have come to value as unique and distinct from others.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What truly distinguishes us is our distinctive design philosophy and that we cater to a large range of pride flags. Instead of conventionally using the pride colours, we’ve integrated them in a more subtle and refined manner. This ensures that our products resonate with a wide range of audiences, even in professional settings. Many of our customers have also expressed appreciation for our meticulous attention to detail, a trait I recognize as a double-edged sword. I admit I am a perfectionist to a flaw, and while at many times, it slows our pace, it undeniably elevates the quality of our products. Perfectionism is frankly not the most ideal trait for entrepreneurs but I’m glad to have my partner slap me in the face sometimes to tell me “It’s good enough, let’s move on.”

We’re incredibly proud of the impact our business is making, offering representation in a manner that deeply resonates with many. Our products, particularly our Proud Cubes pride pins with their meaningful designs, have become popular gifts. They allow individuals to express acceptance and showcase their values to friends and family. Additionally, our commitment to our community is evident in our charity pins. In 2022 alone, we donated over $2000 to six different charities. A fundamental ethos of our business is to give back to the community, aiming for a brighter future for all. We take immense pride in the support we provide through Proud Zebra.

We’ve been building the business for 2 and a half years now, so being born mid-pandemic there have been many moments when we felt like giving up. Establishing any business is not an easy task, but the incredible support from our customers consistently motivates us. The real challenge lies in persisting, working diligently, and investing effort at every step of the journey. We continuously remind ourselves that Proud Zebra is still in its infancy. There’s so much more we want to achieve, and the key is persistence and hard work at every step of the way.

The most significant lesson we’ve learned along the way is to remain humble and manage our expectations realistically. While small successes can easily lead to distraction or complacency, it’s important to always remember that staying persistent and hungry for long-term success is crucial in staying motivated and growing the business.

We want the world to know that we are constantly expanding our collection to ensure everyone feels represented. This objective sits at the heart of our business. We’re proud to be one of the few brands catering to 35+ identities and are committed to developing products for even more identities in the future. We also vow to always be giving back to our community, to invest in a better future for all of us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First off, you absolutely have to check out the Vancouver Aquarium – the sea otters? Cutest things ever! Plus, it’s always a fun place to visit. If you’re into supporting local businesses (which has some super cool stuff, by the way) check out Makers Metrotown. You’ll find some unique stuff and it’s great for souvenirs.

Oh, and if you both are up for a bit of travel, a short trip to Kelowna for some wine tasting is a must. The vibes are just perfect for relaxing and enjoying some quality wine. Now, if you’re the adventurous type and are up for a challenge, the Grouse Grind is an intense hike that offers some rewarding views and activities at the peak. Definitely worth the sweat!

Foodwise, you can’t miss out on Saku. Their Tonkatsu is simply amazing. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, or even if you don’t, Thierry has some of the most mouth-watering desserts in town.

Now, for some nighttime fun and entertainment, the drag performances in the city are spectacular. Head over to 1181 lounge and get ready to be blown away! It’s entertaining, it’s lively, and it’s a whole lot of fun.

And of course, Davie St is a must-visit. It’s such a safe and wonderful space to just walk around and soak in the local scene. It’s vibrant, and welcoming, and there’s always something happening.

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?
My co-founder and life partner, Jimmy, undoubtedly deserves the most credit for our business’s success. He’s been a constant presence at my side, always supporting me. We’ve had endless business discussions, probably more than he’d like, haha. Nurturing and growing a business is so much more manageable with a partner, and Jimmy has been that person for me. He’s not just been my sounding board for ideas, feedback, and goal-setting; he’s provided me immense emotional support. There have been moments where I felt emotionally overwhelmed, but he has always been my anchor in those times. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Also, a big shoutout goes to our customers and strong supporters. Their passion, loyalty, and belief in our products are the reasons for our success. We’re eternally grateful for their unwavering faith in us. We promise to keep growing and to always uphold the values and expectations of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Website: proudzebra.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/proud.zebra

Linkedin: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/proud-zebra

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proudzebra

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@proud-zebra