“My business is such an important part of my life – no morning alarm, no uniform, no commute, and most importantly, nobody telling me what I can and can’t do!”
Artist and wildlife sculptor Sarah Brabbin started her creative journey straight out of university. After studying Industrial Design Innovation, she realised that most jobs required experience she couldn’t get without first being employed.
Determined to forge her own path, she joined a business start-up program in 2002 and began creating her own opportunities. That journey first led her to become a professional photographer, but it was the pandemic that brought her back to her childhood passion to become an artist, something she was told as a child wasn’t sensible.
Today, Sarah creates handcrafted, soulful sculptures inspired by wildlife for people who value authenticity, meaningful gifts, and supporting independent artists. Her work helps them find treasures that aren’t mass-produced, bring joy to their home, and connect them to a personal story and is available to purchase directly through her website.
What Sarah enjoys most about running her own business is the freedom it gives her. She says, “It’s such an important part of my life – no morning alarm, no uniform, no commute, and most importantly, nobody telling me what I can and can’t do!”
Beyond creating art for collectors, Sarah also uses her work to support wildlife charities through auctions and raffles, helping raise funds while encouraging people to reconnect with nature. Her studio practice is as much about her connection to the world around her as it is about sharing it with others.
“HerBusiness has so many amazing members doing incredible things and showing me what can be achieved, it’s so inspiring, and the focus on business is just what I need to uplevel my skills.”
Sarah has only been a member of the HerBusiness Network for a short time but it has also been an important part of the journey. “I seem to remember on a podcast Suzi mentioning about it being good to ‘not be the smartest person in the room,’ well, that’s certainly me in this network!
So many amazing members doing incredible things and showing me what can be achieved, it’s so inspiring, and the focus on business is just what I need to uplevel my skills.”
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
This is going to sound really sucky but it’s actually Suzi Dafnis.
I’ve listened to other entrepreneurs and they’re all about the big numbers and chasing for more this and more that. Which is fine, except it’s not the only way, and Suzi gives us permission to do what works for us, not break ourselves chasing something that’s someone else’s vision or trying to prove ourselves. She’s so approachable and genuinely caring too.
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
Straight out of Uni and the only jobs in what I studied (Industrial Design Innovation) required a couple of years of experience.
Well how on earth are you supposed to get experience if nobody will give you a job in the first place?
So I ended up on a business start up programme in 2002 and giving it a go myself.
Things developed and changed and I ended up being a professional photographer and then when the pandemic hit I made another decision – to become the artist I always wanted to be as a kid but was told to “do something sensible.”
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
Freedom. It’s such an important thing to me – no morning alarm, no uniform, no commute and most importantly, nobody telling me what I can and can’t do!
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- Have the courage to do what’s in your heart.
- Don’t let anyone decide for you what you’re able to achieve (or not)
- Just because it’s always been done this way, doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
- It’s a lot of hard work – it’s a lot less hard if it’s something you truly believe in.
- Knowing WHY you want to run a business is really important as you can hang on to that when things get tough. Know that the reason you initially had can change too.
- Change isn’t a sign of weakness, and it’s your business so you get to choose.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
Numbers! Don’t be afraid of the numbers! They are THE most important thing to understand.
Profit isn’t a dirty word. It’s a crucial part of ensuring your business is viable and has a future.
My Dad is an accountant, I had private maths lessons, I STILL didn’t understand them until I found someone who created the training to walk me through with patience and understanding, rather than judgment and ridicule.
Create a spreadsheet that works for you – that helps you to visually understand what’s going on. Use your own words, write numbers down – it’s ok not to know them from memory so long as you have them and look at them regularly.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My IDEAL business looks like a gentle morning stroll to the beach before heading back to the workshop overlooking the garden, where I’d spend a few hours sculpting and being interrupted by the birds.
People love my work and have been collecting it and gifting it for years. It makes them feel good, and they’re happy to pay for its value because they understand how much love and work goes into it.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
I seem to remember on a podcast Suzi mentioning about it being good to “not be the smartest person in the room,” well, that’s certainly me in this network!
So many amazing members doing incredible things and showing me what can be achieved, it’s so inspiring, and the focus on business is just what I need to uplevel my skills.
Learn more about Sarah and Sarah Brabbin Art.
