Meet Dyna Kau | Graphic Designer and Illustrator

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

Hi Dyna, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I first started Girl of All Work, it was ALL work ALL the time. I was dragging 30 lbs boxes up 3 flights of stairs in my apartment whenever the elevator broke (which was pretty often) and taking meals in front of the computer. I think becoming a mom completely changed my outlook in terms of balancing my life and work. At first it was just trying to grab a few hours here and there to finish up deadlines, and then it became about the quality of those hours, both as a designer and a parent. I think I actually became more motivated to turn the company into something that reflected who I was and what I would be proud to share with my daughter. In that way, the aesthetics of the company has changed a bit over time to something I’m just more excited by. It’s still challenging to run a small studio while raising a young child and, at times, you feel like you’re just juggling plates, but I’ve learned to ask for more help now when I need it. I tell my daughter constantly that perfection isn’t achievable, mistakes are unavoidable, and that a lot of the things that seem like “elephant problems” are really “mouse problems” when you give it some time. I think I’ve learned to be much easier on myself, and that’s a much healthier outlook from when I first began my company.

What should our readers know about your business?
Girl of All Work was launched in 2007, when there weren’t that many cute and creative office accessories options, with Staples and Office Depot primarily dominating the market. One of my pet gripes as an art student was that good design was often inaccessible, so I tried to price everything within reach and still keep afloat. I often had to learn on the job, especially since large accounts would often use jargon that I was completely unfamiliar with. It certainly wasn’t easy, but I had a list of retailers that were on my bucket list, and within 3 years had hit all of them. I started Girl of All Work when I was in my 20’s. I guess with that comes this strange and unfounded confidence that everything will just somehow magically work out. I think having that mentality helps to carry you when you first start out, when things seem a little bleak some days (like when you only get 2 orders in three weeks, but somehow you STILL manage to send out the wrong number of items!). It was that combination of daring, magical thinking, and a strong support system that really got the company off the ground.

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?
I am a Sawtelle fan through and through, and you could honestly spend down that strip and still not soak up all the deliciousness there: Hide Sushi, Somi Somi, Coco Ichibanya, Tenkatori, Tofu-ya. Those are just the places off the top of my head. Further out, Malibu Seafood is an institution, and after the fires, is still miraculously standing. I love Santa Monica. It’s a great city, and we chose to set up our studio here for a reason. Bergamot Art Center has amazing art, and occasionally you can spot a celebrity there, too. We’ve just discovered The Rainbow Garden on Montana. It’s a community garden that has chickens and a lovely garden space. There’s Ocean Park Blvd, Main Street, and Montana for all your local shopping and eats. We don’t do anything too exciting or fancy, really. I guess I’m just not type of person! We just enjoy all the parks, the libraries, and the beaches here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents. I couldn’t have started this company without them. After my initial plans to strike out with a partner failed, they stepped in and became my business partners. We didn’t exactly know how this company would evolve, but they had absolute confidence in me that it would be successful. Eighteen years later, the company is still here, so we must have done something right! Also, have to thank my husband and daughter for continuing to support and inspire me every day.

Website: https://www.girlofallwork.com

Instagram: @girlofallwork

Image Credits
Images are self-taken