Let's Do This Thing - Sarah Barradell Design

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Barradell, owner of Sarah Barradell Design, located in London, UK.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I build big brands for small businesses and start-ups! After leading the design team in a creative agency for six years (for big B2B names like the UK Government, EY, AVEVA, Huawei, and British Red Cross), and then leading their marketing team for two years (during COVID. Not stressful at all), I decided to quit my job and do what I love best. I'm now a freelancer that works with very small business owners using my creative skill set in copywriting, graphic design, and marketing strategy to help build big brands for small businesses and start-ups! Real estate, finance, tech brands, weddings, and fashion. The industry doesn't matter - I just love working with passionate people who want to make the world a better place and are excited to bring their vision to life!

Tell us about yourself

I'd been helping small businesses as a side hustle throughout my whole career. And while it was cool working with big names in my day job. I was more inspired by the small business owners I helped in the evenings. I quickly found my place wearing a lot of hats. And it turns out small business owners love working with a one-woman band who can help with their design, copywriting, and marketing needs leaving them to focus on the bits of the business they love. As soon as I was ready (i.e., as soon as I had a mortgage secured because, man, is it hard getting a mortgage in your first two years as self-employed), I went full-time freelance, and I haven't looked back since!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Turning a freelance side hustle into a real business that's due to bring in a 6 figure revenue this year!

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

Work/life balance. On the one hand, you get whatever time off you want (and when my Dad was going through cancer treatment and sadly died last year, this meant the world to me). But on the other hand, whenever you get time off, a corner of your brain is always thinking, "hey, relaxing is cool and all, but have you thought about getting a head-start on that next project?!"

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

1. Start slow. Get good. Things will come naturally. Don't go in all guns blazing, expecting the world - you'll easily get burnt out. Figure out what your priorities are (whether that's money, time off, or flexibility), and build your business with those in mind.
2. Have fun and celebrate the wins! It's so easy to just keep firing on all cylinders and chasing that next big thing. But burnout is real, and owning a business should be fun! Celebrate, take time to treat yourself, and regularly reflect on how far you've come!
3. Find your people. Lockdown meant I spent the first year of my business hunkered down in my own home, only leaving the house for essentials and meeting all my clients via Zoom. It sucked. As soon as I could, I found an office that gave me a chance to leave the house every day (I know!), meet people who were also starting businesses, and get my precious home back as a home, to you know, relax in and not work in 24/7.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sarahbarradell.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbarradell/

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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