Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sara Wright, Founder of Pretty Simple Sara LLC, located in Rochester, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a quilter who helps new sewers learn to quilt. Quilting is the best entry point into the world of creative sewing as it involves simple sewing techniques that are used in all types of sewing. New sewers have quite a few new skills to learn when they make their first quilt. I remove stumbling blocks - from learning how to use the sewing machine through the final step of putting on the binding. After learning the basics, there are no limits!
Tell us about yourself
I started sewing at age eight. Both fabric and sewing machines fascinated me. But I grew up and got a ‘real job’ (CPA), had kids (4), and homeschooled. Through all of it, I played with fabric whenever I could squeeze it in - making clothes, curtains, dolls, doll clothes, and Halloween costumes. I taught all my kids, sons and daughters, how the sewing machine worked and how to use it. I helped friends who were ready to ditch their machines get comfortable again. When I discovered quilting, I immersed myself in the world of design and color. I love the layers of design in a quilt - the pattern of the fabric, the pattern of the piecing, and the pattern of the quilting all coming together into one piece of functional art. As an empty nester, I now have time to fully explore my love of quilting and to help more people who want to sew but are hesitant. I provide clarity about both how sewing machines work and how to make a quilt. That clarity provides the courage new sewers need to start creating. Creating is something that brings joy to both the creator and those who see or receive what they create. Helping others have and share that joy brings me joy.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Each and every comment I get that says someone finally understands a sewing or machine concept they never thought they ever would rock my world.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Patience. There are so many projects I would love to do. I have so many ideas for beginner sewing courses, quilt patterns, and fabric patterns. But there are only so many hours in a day. To know that there are ways I can help people but that I can only do one thing at a time is very frustrating.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start today. You won’t know if your idea will help people until you put it out there. You just have to challenge yourself to do it and see what happens.
- Expect everything to change. You can and should make plans, but what you plan may not be what people need. So be ready to shift and scramble. Treat everything like an experiment.
- Run lean. There are so many things out there that seem like really good ideas for your business. You don’t need them all. When you think you have a problem, first make sure it really is one. Then see if you can solve it yourself before you go looking for solutions that cost money or complicate your systems.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://prettysimplesara.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettysimplesara/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuiltSimple
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@prettysimplesara
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@prettysimplesara
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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