How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Lettering by Sash began as an Instagram account aimed at tracking my progress with a new hobby, calligraphy. However, as I gained a greater following, I received various commission requests for thank-you cards and home decor pieces. I came to realize that our personal spaces and the people we surround ourselves with are arguably the most important parts of our lives, and having the ability to personalize the pieces that line the walls of our homes and gifts for loved ones can be especially meaningful. As a result, Lettering by Sash became the small-business it is today, allowing me to not only pursue my love for art, but also contribute to communities in need – fulfilling my passion for service.
What does the average day look like for you now as an entrepreneur (especially compared to past jobs/days)?
As a student, my days are typically consumed by classes and coursework; however, creating calligraphy artwork has been a creative outlet for me for several years now. In recent years, I have realized just how important it is to allocate time to pursuing my hobbies like hand-lettering to maintain a sense of balance in my life. As my small-business continues to grow, Lettering by Sash has slowly morphed from just a hobby to more of a creative endeavor and passion project. With an influx in commissions, I have dedicated more and more of my time to completing and shipping orders to customers – transforming my apartment into my personal art studio. As I step into my new role as an entrepreneur, I have also dedicated time to learning the intricacies of growing a small-business, and am excited to channel a new side of myself and my capabilities through the guidance of the FoundHER program!
What are some of the top things you have learned so far?
Aligned with the best advice I have received, I have learned that consistency is key in running a small-business. Like most endeavors, setting goals and continuously working towards achieving them is fundamental to carrying out a vision and pursuing a passion!
Who or what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?
I have had the privilege of growing up around several women leaders who have transformed their passions into businesses, taking on the role of entrepreneur effortlessly. As a former Girl Scout, I have interacted with women who started nonprofits dedicated to serving the community – working as food pantry and resale store managers. Their dedication to executing on a vision while serving those in need has been a large inspiration to me on my journey in entrepreneurship.
What have been 1-2 of your proudest moments in creating your business?
As I mentioned, Lettering by Sash has grown to be a platform for me to combine my love for art with my passion for service. My goal has always been to support various communities while emphasizing the importance of creative outlets – especially among young children. As a result, some of my proudest moments in creating Lettering by Sash have been donating $500 to the Children’s Medical Center Foundation, and donating art supplies to a rural primary school in India while hosting an art workshop! It was especially gratifying to spread my love for art with other children and see it bring them as much joy as it has for me.
What’s the best advice you have received along your journey?
The best advice I have received in my entrepreneurial journey has been as simple as: “be consistent”. A key factor in growing my small-business, Lettering by Sash, has been utilizing social media to further my outreach. In doing so, I have had to be consistent in posting my work and interacting with followers – increasing engagement and drawing greater attention to my artwork!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I love to play the Saxophone! Over the past few years especially, playing my Tenor Saxophone has become a creative outlet for me. Whether it's with the Longhorn Pep Band or in my room after an exam, reverting back to a hobby I have enjoyed from a young age has brought me a lot of joy!
About The Author:
Founder of Lettering by Sash
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