Meet Tatum Rochin | Creator of The Tucson Type

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

Hi Tatum, what makes you happy? Why?
Several things make me happy, but one that I’ll focus on first is where I live. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and although I moved around a bit, I made my way back here shortly after college. It’s a combination of the beautiful landscape of the desert and the mountains, the colorful culture , the fantastic restaurants, and the great people I’ve met. Tucson is the inspiration behind my art and why I started this business. I know people love Tucson as much as I do, and it’s because of this wonderful community that I started making art to represent some of my favorite things.

My family and friends also make me happy, and I could not have started The Tucson Type without their support. The only thing better than living in the city I love is sharing it with the people I love.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
One of the things that gets me excited about my business is how closely tied it is to the Tucson Art Community. I was a little intimidated starting out, and didn’t think my art was “good enough” to showcase and market. However, I reached out to other local artists I knew in town and they were all so welcoming and encouraging, so I decided to go for it. Since then, I’ve made friends in this community, met amazing people, and have a lot more confidence in myself. I feel like a whole different person since starting the business and feeling confident in my work, and that’s something that I am most proud of.

The Tucson Type is not just about selling and showcasing my art. It has evolved into community building through workshops and friendships and promotion of local businesses. When I think of The Tucson Type, I’m reminded of this wonderful town that we get to live in and all of the great people that make it what it is.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Recommending things to do is easy and challenging at the same time. It’s easy because there are so many great things to choose from. It’s challenging because there are so many great things to choose from, and not enough time for a week-long visit! I will try my best though, so here it goes:

For out-of-town visitors, driving up to the top of Mt. Lemmon is a must. This is a free experience and there are plenty of great lookout spots along the way to see the city. At the bottom of the drive, you start in the Saguaro desert landscape, full of cacti and prickly pears. As you start climbing and make your way up the scenic Catalina Highway, the environment starts changing. Soon, you’ll be surrounded by pine trees and sometimes snow, so don’t forget to bring some warm clothes. There is even a free app you can instal and listen to on the way up (Mt. Lemmon Science Tour) that serves as an informational audio guide.

There are too many local business to shout out in this district, so I will keep it general and offer a walk down the Historic 4th Avenue. You will find art and music shops, independent bookstores, and great places to eat.

Tucson is also know for the abundance of mural art. You don’t need to drive or walk that long around the city to find them, but Downtown Tucson is where to start. The City of Tucson has an interactive mural map that you can download and use for your self-guided tour to see some colorful creations.

Lastly, if you’re up for a workout with a view, you can make your way to Tumamoc Hill. This is a 3 mile roundtrip paved trail that gets pretty steep the closer you get to the top. The view from the top is worth the walk as you can see all of downtown and the mountains surrounding the city.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to give a shoutout to my now wife, Lyndsey! She encouraged me to start The Tucson Type while we were dating, and our relationship and business has grown so much these last few years. It’s been fantastic to have her believe in me even when I couldn’t see it for myself, and always be there through the ups and the downs.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheTucsonType?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetucsontype/

Image Credits
Sam Lynn