Today we’d like to introduce you to Hannah Holt.
Hi Hannah, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in a pretty artistic household: my mom is an artist by trade and my dad was always involved in singing and musical theater. But my interest was always in letters. It was my go-to doodle in every margin of my notes in school. When I was in grad school my mom sent me her old calligraphy nibs thinking I’d be interested in learning the art. I was immediately hooked; it became a relaxing outlet for me. As I started improving, I noticed people wanted me to letter for gifts, weddings, special occasions – started thinking I might have something special here. Calligraphy continued to be an artistic outlet for me, and I would take on smaller jobs here and there for friends and family. Then the pandemic hit. I was furloughed from my job as an athletic trainer in performing arts since all entertainment was shut down. A blessing in disguise, it provided me the time to explore turning calligraphy into a business. I learned that I actually enjoyed working on the business parts – creating systems, bookkeeping, marketing, networking – because I was building something from the ground up that was mine, that I was passionate about. Over the next 18 months, I started to grow the business and focus it into the services I wanted to provide; at the beginning of 2022, I decided I wanted to work towards running my business full time. I enrolled in courses to develop my skills as a calligrapher and businesswoman and I started to put money away to create a financial buffer for when I left my stable full-time job. In October 2022 I took the leap, officially left my full-time job as a head athletic trainer, and turned into a full-time business owner. I’ve been running Tally Mark Calligraphy full-time for 3 months now, and it’s the best decision I could’ve made.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course not! Running a business is hard work. I did have the privilege of being able to start my business as a side hustle while I had a financially stable full-time job. It gave me the space to figure out my craft without the pressure of needing to make enough money from it to live on. That meant working on my off days and any spare time I had on my business. My husband was and continues to be incredibly supportive and gracious as I put a lot my energy into this passion of mine – truly couldn’t do it without his support. There are also plenty of examples of failing forward: trying to figure out taxes and bookkeeping, misspelling words on a sign and learning how to fix it or make accommodations for my client to provide the best experience despite the mess up, trying to figure out systems to make my work more efficient and working harder than I have to until I figure those systems out. I like to describe the experience as “building the plane as I fly it”, but sometimes that’s the only way you can figure out what works best for you and your business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a calligrapher and engraver; my work is primarily split between two industries: live calligraphy and weddings. In live calligraphy, I am hired by luxury brands, corporate companies, or small businesses to come on-site and provide live calligraphy or engraving to personalize stationery, fragrance bottles, liquor, and wine bottles, or other items as a way to enhance their customer or guest experience. I love this work because I get engage with the people who receive my art and really create a connection through art. I think art in all forms is so important – it makes people feel seen and creates an emotive experience that you just can’t achieve with other things; I think this really sets me apart.
I also provide calligraphy and art services for weddings through day of signage and stationery. I specialize in using calligraphy as a way to tell a story. The details at a wedding are the best way to share your love story with your guests. Did you connect through a mutual love of craft beer? Let’s use vintage bottles or beer growlers as table numbers or a seating chart. Do your guests come from all over the country and world because you love traveling? Let’s have a map with the names of your guests and where they come from at the reception. I love learning about the couples I work with and how we can use calligraphy to create connection on their big day.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I always leaned towards the creative. Like I mentioned before, I grew up in an artistic household and I was no different: I was a dancer through college, I performed in my high school show choir, played piano and guitar. As a young kid, I loved creating, drawing, painting, using my imagination any way I could. My mom modeled the possibility of making art a career, but I never imagined I could make that a reality for myself. I ended up going a more scientific, healthcare route in college and became an athletic trainer. It feels very full circle to now be an artist full-time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tallymarkcalligraphy.com
- Instagram: @tallymarkcalligraphy
Image Credits
Ashley Carlascio
Amber Garrett
Ashley Paul
