Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Crook.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I was a little girl, my grandparents practically raised me. Both of my parents worked full time, so my grandparents would take me back and forth from school. I would spend evenings at their house waiting on my parents to pick me up after work. What I am most grateful for are those evenings spent curled up under my grandma’s desk as she designed just about anything you can imagine for our family’s print shop. It was in those quiet moments that I watched her every move, awestruck at how it seemed she had the world at her fingertips (or should I say a good ol’ 80’s Macintosh). It was in those quiet moments that I fell in love with design.
As the years passed, I found myself asking for new software for Christmas instead of toys. My father soon picked up on my love for tech and began teaching me about computers. Before long, I had taught myself how to use the Adobe Suite. In school, I began to pursue business, finance, and coding classes.
I was eager to learn anything I could that would help me improve my newfound artistry. Upon entering online college, I decided to minor in graphic design. It was an absolute thrill to work alongside industry professionals as an apprentice and continue to perfect my craft. After graduating and moving to Florida to marry my sweetheart, I began working for various nonprofit organizations as a graphic design intern and eventually, a creative director.
This was my first experience developing and leading a design team, and it was truly exhilarating. Just a few short years later, we welcomed our son into the world, and my heart broke at the thought of having to leave him to go back to work. I knew I needed to come up with a new way to pursue my work. This was the moment my vision for Alisabeth Designs was birthed. Not only did I see a huge need in the industry for affordable design services for small business owners, but I also believed the standard of excellence had to be raised.
Without hesitation, I dove into developing what I could’ve never imagined would later become a life-giving, impact-driven, heart-felt business. And just three and a half years later, all I can think about is how grateful I am that this opportunity has led me here. We now have a staff of 6 incredibly gifted women who serve our clients wholeheartedly. It has been nothing but an honor to continue to serve the small business community around the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, it has been quite a journey! I had never started a business before so every single thing from figuring out contracts, to learning new software and working to perfect our client experience was a series of trial and error. One of my biggest hurdles was developing a client process that would seamlessly lead each client through their personal design experience (which can range anywhere from 2-6 weeks or more). After about two years of adjustments, our process is now fine-tuned and we’ve found our perfect rhythm. But as with any business, change is inevitable. Fortunately, I love embracing change and as our brand and clientele evolve and some clients circle back to do tune-ups, our processes are able to evolve right along with them.
Alisabeth Designs – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
What we do best is to create beautiful, highly converting brand and web design for wedding industry professionals ranging from photographers to planners, florists, bridal boutiques, and more. I have to say it’s our staff that sets us apart. Each woman that makes up our team brings a unique story to the table alongside their gifts and talents. Together we lead our clients through a very intimate design experience so that we can communicate their unique story and express their heart through their brand.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career has been the opportunity to educate. Raising up other designers and creatives to help them tell their story, and create businesses that help them achieve their goals is one of my favorite things in the world. Education holds such a dear place in my heart and is by far, my favorite creative outlet.
Pricing:
- Branding & Web Design $6k
- Web Design $4k
- Branding $2k
Contact Info:
- Website: alisabethdesigns.com
- Email: hello@alisabethdesigns.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alisabethdesigns
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alisabethdesigns
Image Credit:
Amanda Coker Photography
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