"Sometimes you meet someone and recognize that your future just changed".
Step into our story, where two moms united by a mutual love for design and an unexpected popcorn-popping encounter at Bryant Montessori in Tacoma, Washington, set the stage for an enduring friendship. From those early days of elementary school events, we uncovered our shared passion for creativity. Discovering our roles as designers and educators, and the uncanny fact that one of us graduated from the very college where the other now teaches, cemented a unique connection that has lasted over a decade.
Fast forward to 2020.
Despite the challenges of social time and COVID, they kept a regular Sunday date as a form of pandemic therapy. On one of these outings, they found themselves discussing Nicole's yearning for a laser cutter. As a designer, this tool created so many possibilities!
Tammi, straight-faced, responded simply, "Let's buy it."
Followed by Nicole bursting into laughter. "Sure, no problem! We can just sell a kidney on the dark web!" But then, as Tammi does, she convinced Nicole that it was possible. They just needed to make a plan.
We went all in.
They filed the necessary legal paperwork, opened a business bank account and in just six months, that plan became Tacoma Design Company.
And that, my friends, is the story of how Tammi and Nicole embarked on this wild adventure where two friends decided to create something together.
Nicole Riso
Co-Owner, Designer & Maker
Creativity has always been my compass. With 25 years of experience in design, photography & custom framing, I have always known that to me, fulfillment requires creation.
Beginning with an unconventional childhood of traveling cross-country in a Smurf blue school bus, it was inevitable that I would grow into the artsy, bookish kid I became. Landing in western Washington in the 90s, I immersed myself in every creative endeavor I could find. Photography and design became my primary areas of study. After high school, I began working in portrait photography, which later extended to event photography. After a few years, I decided to pursue Graphic Design and Illustration in college, where I ultimately graduated with my degree in Visual Communications in 2006. I later discovered Custom Framing, exploring the nuances of designing for fine art and home decor, along with gaining knowledge in woodworking and restoration.
The accumulation of these skills over the years has brought me to where I am today. These skills have uniquely equipped me for my most significant and fulfilling professional challenge thus far – to follow my Creative Compass toward building Tacoma Design Company.
Tammi Hilton
Co-Owner, Designer & Maker
In 1998, I graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle with an Associate of Art in Interior Design. I began my career by working for several design firms, and eventually opened my own successful Interior Design Business in 2005.
During my time as a business owner, I discovered a passion for teaching and began instructing design courses at Highline College. I quickly found my calling and eventually joined the college as a full-time faculty member, where I have now been for over seventeen years.
Throughout my career, I have continued to pursue my education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Workforce Training and a Master's degree in Art Education. With my extensive design background, experience in owning a design business, and management experience from running multiple design departments at Highline College, I bring a diverse range of skills to our team. I am excited to leverage my experience and expertise to help bring your vision to life.
