Tanama Designs was founded by Kathy Mendoza, a creative visionary with a passion for design and storytelling. After years of crafting visuals and building websites for businesses and colleagues, she decided to take her skills to the next level—establishing Tanama Designs to offer high-quality, intentional design services to a wider audience.

The name Tanama holds deep personal meaning for Kathy. As a child, she was often called Katy La Oruga (“Katy the Caterpillar”) after the beloved cartoon Katy La Oruga. The story followed a little caterpillar on a journey of self-discovery, overcoming challenges until she finally transformed into a beautiful butterfly. Over time, this nickname became more than just a childhood reference—it became a symbol of growth, transformation, and embracing one’s purpose.

When it came time to name her business, Kathy knew she wanted to incorporate the butterfly, representing her own evolution as a designer and entrepreneur. But she also wanted to honor her Puerto Rican heritage. She had always been fascinated by the Taíno people, the indigenous inhabitants of Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba. Though the Taínos were nearly wiped out by colonization, their influence still lives on in language, traditions, and culture.

In her exploration of Taíno words, Kathy discovered Tanama—the Taíno word for butterfly. It was the perfect representation of her journey, blending her personal growth with her cultural roots. Tanama Designs is more than just a business; it’s a reflection of transformation, creativity, and the power of storytelling through design.