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Meet Michael Tamzil of Tamz in Downtown Miami and Brickell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Tamzil.

Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My dad got into an accident when I was five years old that left him in a coma for 20+ years. My family moved around a lot after this and by high school, I was in and out of school. Something in my spirit wouldn’t let me commit, I craved something beyond the four walls of the classroom. I eventually graduated by making a deal with my principal. If he let me pass state testing, I’d split my gift money with him. Deal. As soon as I graduated, I told my mom I was leaving Indonesia. I knew if I stayed in my country, I’d end up in jail. Something inside told me I needed to leave, so I did. I left for America when I was 17 with two suitcases and a blanket.

I needed money while getting my art degree and my mom suggested I get a job at Burger King. I rejected that. I knew the minute I diverted out of my lane I’d be fucked. I make decisions that appear crazy to the world, but everything is done with intention. Done out of obedience to my inner voice. I ended up graduating and getting a great job at an architecture firm. I went into it knowing it’d be an exchange: 7.5 years of my labor for a green card. As soon as it came in the mail, I went to HR and quit. They tried to convince me not to go. I had a steady paycheck and lived comfortably. But I needed to jump into the water or else I’d regret not doing so for the rest of my life. I’d either drown or learn to swim, but I’d have no regrets.

During this time, I got a call that my dad had died. I went home to bury him and two weeks later, my wife died. Her breast cancer had traveled to the brain. There I was, a father to a one year old daughter. I had no clue what I was doing. I was drinking every day and feeding my baby doritos. One night I broke down and prayed to God to bring a mother for my baby girl. Three months later, she asked for Burger King and the stranger she kept waving to became my answered prayer. We’ve been married for 15 years and have two more children. Turns out I didn’t need Burger King for a job, but a miracle.

Death fucks you up. But life multiplies itself. Unless you’re able to let the pain go, you won’t know what God has for you next. Until you completely surrender, you won’t get to the next level.

Tell us about you business.
Looking back for the past 20 years there are definitely many challenges. First starting a business in itself is a big one. Then you have to maintain, manage and market. Life also comes with challenges as told in my story, but in the end, if you do what you love these challenges can be overcome by passion and persistent.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with tamz – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
TAMZ doesn’t breathe the same air as your traditional agencies. We reject the basic solutions that temporarily fix a brand’s problem. We embrace our true rebel nature and disrupt the old ways by leveraging technology and injecting cool into your brand’s DNA.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
2020 will be a big thing for many people. My short term plan is to come into the year lean so we can adapt to the new decade. We will go back to our core which is design and build from there.

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
#thinktamz

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