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

Hi Tamar, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I learned work life balance at a young age, always doing tons of activities, such as competitive and synchronized swimming, academic decathlon, and speech and debate. Since becoming an “adult,” work life balance becomes more complicated–a balancing act of enjoying and being happy in everything you do, from relationships and professional work to creative time. I’ve learned to think about balance by evaluating all the activities I do and whether they are preventing me from truly doing well or progressing in other areas of my life. As much as I want to become an expert cook, seamstress, writer, herbalist, soap maker, masters synchronized swimmer, triathlete, gardener, mixologist, etc, I know I can’t commit and give it my all without sacrificing time and effort in other areas of my life. There needs to be a re-prioritization as soon as I find myself only able to put in 60% effort for each and every thing that I am doing. I am also a big advocate for rest, relaxation and doing nothing for periods throughout the day or week! Without this, I find work and life activities beginning to lack joy, happiness and creativity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I recently pursued higher education in economic development and sustainability in 2018 and graduated this past May. My decision to go back to school was inspired by TamThyme, where I desired this handcrafted herbal product company to be based on sustainable business operations and supply chains while being affordable to all communities. During my two years at graduate school, I was not only able to expand my operations and product line to the Bay Area, but also build up my technical and knowledge base skillset to truly make businesses, large and/or small, as efficient and sustainable as possible. In addition to TamThyme, I started consulting part-time to help clients reach their sustainability goals and targets, using unique and comprehensive data analysis methods such as life cycle assessment and environmental impact assessment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start out early in the week hitting up my favorite spots in the city. I’d start first with the J. Paul Getty Museum, eventually taking a midday break to enjoy a bottle of wine on the lawn in the gardens. I would also take advantage of exploring other locales not specific to the LA metropolitan area. I’d take mini-half day trips to my favorite beachside community, San Clemente, or have lunch immersed in nature at Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga. I would definitely take my friend for a comical stroll down Hollywood Blvd and watch the street transform with its cast of characters from day to evening, and end the night at the Spare Room at the Roosevelt hotel–hopefully beating my friend in a game of Jenga. I would take a midweek break and get us some exercise at the Culver City Stairs (aka Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook) to see the views, then spend the evening listening to music at the Culver Hotel lobby, eventually progressing to the Velvet Lounge, then to Rush Street and Carbon for some dancing. I would spend a Friday or Saturday in downtown LA, visiting The Broad, then relive my previous two years in Japan having lunch at Kazu Nori and going to The Perch or Takami Sushi for nighttime downtown views. I’m also a huge fan of some of the renovated hotels such as The NoMad Hotel and herbal cocktail bar, Rudolph’s Bar and Tea, at the Freehand hotel. If I am lucky, hopefully I snagged tickets to tour The Lost Spirits Distillery (again) and would finish out the bourbon/scotch-soaked evening at Seven Grand. Brunch would definitely be at Pann’s and if energy permits, I would tap into my Jamaican roots and go have dinner at Karuba’s Yardy Kitchen and then party it up at Kingston Sundays at The Savoy in Inglewood. The night would be finished off at a nearby taco truck or drive-through Jack-in-the-Box $1.19 tacos.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In terms of TamThyme, I want to shout out my support and friend group. Firstly, I’d like to shout out Iman Gibson, a friend I have known since I was two years old, for being my unofficial brand and image consultant. Secondly, I’d also like to shout out Kelsi Goss, my college roommate, who helped design my website, establish my color palette, and served as a sounding board for business advice. Finally, I’d like to shout out my mother and sister, Jean and Philicia Saunders, who interchangeably helped setup and takedown my booths at vendor fairs and farmers markets, and packaged orders when I was out of town. So very grateful for this support group that has been there every step of the way and still continues to inspire and assist me in everything I do, from TamThyme and beyond.

Website: www.tamthyme.com, www.tamarsaunders.com
Instagram: @TamThyme
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarsaunders/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamthyme
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamthymeblog/