May 6, 2016 | It's positive.
December 14, 2016 | Surprise, she's 5 weeks early.
August 1, 2017 | I have a 7 month old. Oh and now an Etsy shop.
July 11, 2018 | I'm officially legit. Sarah Votta Designs, LLC.
Married for almost 5 years and these past two have been wild. Who in their right mind starts a business with a 7 month old? Apparently I do.
I went to art school, fell in love with typography, and became a graphic designer. I was always inspired by other people. Their stories, their emotions. After college, everyone seems to get married, and as a designer you're the go-to for wedding invitations. Cheap and customized. I started offering monograms, which turned into calligraphy names, and then my sketchbook was filled with any quote I could find. Now I'm personalizing any chalkboard or wood I can get my hands on.
Last November, I was asked to teach a chalkboard lettering class. I responded with the typical, "I would love to!" even though I had no idea what I was doing. A few weeks later I was teaching a class at our local craft beer room, painting growlers with a sold out class. The chalkboard class filled up and then opened more tickets and sold out again. How is that possible.
I made it to Christmas and everyone needed customized gifts. So many ornaments personalized for teachers, or newly engaged couples, or babies. I thought, surely this will slow down after the holiday. No such luck.
January 2018, I have one year old. This girl is a good sleeper, praise the Lord. 7pm she is down and out, so momma can get to work. Don't forget, I'm still working a full-time 8-5 corporate gig as a designer. I eat dinner with the family, snuggle and play, and when she hits the crib, I hit my biz. Cranking through projects, updating my Etsy shop, and driving my hubby nuts with the craft supplies spewed across the house.
Now almost a year into my side hustle, I'm legit with a few extra letters after my company name, Sarah Votta Designs, LLC. I've done a few more classes, a few hundred projects, a few thousand diapers. This life is good. This business is a lot of hardwork. But I have so much support from family & friends, even this town & community. Above all, my husband of almost 5 years has always had my back. I'm sure he appreciates the extra income, but beyond that he encourages my art. He's my biggest cheerleader and I could not be more proud to have him by my side for this journey.
Thank you all for the continued support of my art and my family. I love what I do and I love the people I do it for. You guys rock my socks.