Honestly Good Design for Online Brands

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sarah Giffrow, Owner of Upswept Creative, located in Portland, Oregon, USA.

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

We create websites, email marketing, and social media to sell your services and simplify your day. We work with established, ethical, and passionate small businesses and nonprofits.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business after being in the web industry for ten years--I've always been a cheerleader for small businesses, and I wanted to feel more connected to the people I was helping with my skills.

I believe that everyone deserves to do work that feels rewarding and supports the life they want to live, and my work is all about helping people make more money and gather more resources without working harder. If I can help someone thrive in their work and break free from hyper-capitalist hustle culture, then I'm all in!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I've built my business with intention from the very first employee I hired. I have created space for women in tech, worked for companies that create positive change, and committed to being an anti-racist small business that creates a creative, caring, and utterly human work environment for everyone on our team.

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

Setting boundaries. Everything from pricing to work hours to how you treat people comes back to boundaries, and it can make the difference between feeling energized by your work or feeling utterly miserable. You have to know what you want and then stick to it, and both of those pieces can be hard to put into practice!

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

Know what you want before you start, no matter what piece of your business it is. I tell all of my clients: you won't get what you want from your website, email, or social if you don't know where you want to go! I think that's true of any process. Setting your goal is the first step.
A lot of people say, "if it's not a Hell Yes, then it's a Hell No," and that's 100% true. Trust your instincts! You don't have to say yes to everything, and in fact, it's better if you don't!
Set clear expectations from the start, and don't be afraid to throw in as many "per my last email" as you have to if someone's just not getting it. ;)

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.upsweptcreative.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UpsweptCreative
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upsweptcreative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upswept-creative/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.