Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Bauer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey to becoming a live event artist wasn’t something I ever planned it found me in the most unexpected way.
Before launching SLM & Design Co., I worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant. During my time in the clinic, I started creating seasonal chalkboard signs to brighten our waiting room. What began as a fun creative outlet quickly rekindled a passion for art that I had set aside for years. Not long after, I was asked to paint a mural for our Cancer Rehabilitation Program, and that project reminded me how much joy I found in creating something meaningful for others.
A coworker eventually told me, “You’re in the wrong business,” and those words stayed with me. They gave me the confidence to begin exploring calligraphy, engraving, and personalized artistry outside of work. What started with practicing lettering and creating custom pieces for friends and family gradually grew into live wedding and corporate event experiences.
Today, I’m the owner of SLM & Design Co., where I specialize in luxury live event calligraphy, engraving, heat foiling, and personalized guest experiences for weddings, corporate events, experiential marketing activations, sporting events, and private celebrations. One of my favorite parts of what I do is watching guests light up as they receive a personalized keepsake created right in front of them. It’s an experience that’s both interactive and deeply personal, and I love being able to contribute to moments people will remember long after the event is over.
Looking back, it’s amazing to think that a few chalkboard signs in a physical therapy clinic ultimately led me to building a business that combines creativity with connection. Taking the leap to leave healthcare and pursue art full-time was one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken, but it has also been the most rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to create meaningful experiences for my clients and their guests, and I’m excited to continue growing SLM & Design Co. throughout Pennsylvania, the Greater Philadelphia area, the DMV, and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and I think that’s true for most small business owners. When I first started SLM & Design Co., my focus was primarily on wedding and event signage, place cards, and traditional calligraphy. While I enjoyed that work, I eventually realized I was most passionate about creating interactive experiences rather than simply providing finished products.
Over time, I transitioned my business toward live event artistry, specializing in live calligraphy, engraving, heat foiling, and personalized guest experiences for weddings, corporate events, and brand activations. That shift required me to invest in new equipment, develop new skills, refine my processes, and educate potential clients on services many had never experienced before. It also meant repositioning my brand and marketing to a bigger audience than just weddings and private events.
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve also had to learn how to confidently price my work, navigate slower seasons, and understand that not every inquiry will turn into a booking. Each challenge has taught me something valuable about running a business and has helped me become more resilient and adaptable.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one has shaped SLM & Design Co. into the business it is today. Being willing to evolve has allowed me to build a business that better reflects my creativity and the meaningful experiences I want to create for my clients and their guests.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At SLM & Design Co., I specialize in luxury live event artistry, transforming personalization into an interactive experience. My services include live calligraphy, engraving, heat foiling, and custom in-studio commissions for weddings, corporate events, brand activations, sporting events, and private celebrations.
What I love most is creating something that goes beyond a beautiful keepsake. Guests have the opportunity to watch their item being personalized in real time, making the experience just as memorable as the gift itself. Whether I’m engraving fragrance bottles at a brand activation, personalizing leather goods at a corporate event, or embossing keepsakes at a wedding, my goal is always to create meaningful moments that people remember long after the event is over.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how my business has evolved. What began with traditional calligraphy has grown into partnerships with luxury brands, corporations, and event planners who trust me to elevate their guest experience through live personalization. Every opportunity has challenged me to continue learning new techniques and expanding the services I offer.
I believe what sets SLM & Design Co. apart is the combination of artistry and experience. While the finished product is important, I focus just as much on the interaction with each guest. I want every person who visits my table to feel seen, valued, and excited to take home something that was created specifically for them. That personal connection is what makes live event artistry so special, and it’s what continues to inspire me every day.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating a life that allows me to be present for my family while also doing work that feels meaningful and purposeful.
For a long time, I followed a more traditional path in healthcare as a Physical Therapist Assistant, and while I loved helping people, I eventually realized I was missing a creative outlet that brought me the same sense of fulfillment. Building SLM & Design Co. has allowed me to combine creativity, connection, and the ability to make a lasting impact in a completely different way.
My family is also at the center of everything I do. I live in South Central Pennsylvania with my fiancé, Shaquille, and our two children, Layla and Milo, and one of my biggest motivations for pursuing entrepreneurship was creating a life where I could be present for the moments that matter most while building something my family can be proud of.
Beyond my family and my work, I value meaningful connections with people. Whether it’s a guest at an event receiving a personalized keepsake, a couple celebrating their wedding day, or a brand creating an unforgettable experience for their clients, I love being part of moments that bring people together.
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is using my creativity to create experiences that leave a lasting impression while building a life centered around family, purpose, and authenticity.
Pricing:
- Live wedding events, couples typically invest around $2,000 for a personalized on-site engraving experience designed to create a meaningful keepsake for each guest.
- Live corporate events, brand activations, conferences, trade shows and sports-related activations typically begin at $800.
- In-studio commissions starting investment $50.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slmanddesignco.com/
- Instagram: @slmanddesignco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580435558044
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-bauer-961898363/
