Why women like me get a -Bad Rap

Let's jump right to it... Yesterday, I posted a reel that got a lot of traction and I noticed a trend in the comments. The women who had the most to say were other business owners, like myself, who primarily operate and sell through social media.

I know why this is, and I want to talk about it....

When I started Sarahfide Creations, I faced a lot of scrutiny over posting pictures and videos of myself. Not all the scrutiny was verbal. Some friends and family just stopped following me or just plain stopped interacting with anything I posted. What I'm going to say might shock you, but it NEVER occurred to me that I would have to step in front of the camera and become the face of my brand Sarahfide Creations. Truth be told, if someone told me I'd have to be in front of the camera all the time, I never would have started this biz, and that’s a fact! I’m glad I didn’t know because this has changed my life and my health. If you knew me before I started this biz, I was way more likely to post pics of my family.. I’ve never had a problem getting in front of people and publicly speaking (that’s what I did professionally for years) but having my picture taken was an entirely different thing.

BUT!!! The fact is, I'm in this for the long haul.

Sarahfide is part of me and when I say she’s a part of me, I mean she is like a fourth child, a part of my genetic makeup, born from the creative love I have in my heart. Because of Sarahfide and you, I'm willing to step out of my comfort zone, onto a limb, and do what must be done to thrive.

To thrive in business means you must make money. (I’ll add… I love creating beautiful jewelry but if I don’t sell the jewelry I create, I don’t make money, therefore, I can’t buy supplies and I can’t do what I love, which is create beautiful jewelry for beautiful women. (Seriously.. It’s a complete cycle.)

To thrive, I have to model my jewelry and talk about my jewelry. Advertising used to be a picture in a catalog, then it was a picture of jewelry and a link but that doesn't cut it anymore. We want to see people using it and living in it, which means opening my life to the world. Ninety-seven percent >>>(((97%!!!))) of my sales come from social media outlets and I'm sure it's the same for the business owners who commented on my reel yesterday. Friends, it is challenging to own a small business but it is so important that small businesses exist for our economy. (I think I'll do a separate blog about that. LOL). Not only is it difficult to be a small business owner but add Christian and Woman to the title, Yikes! I'm not only navigating the business side, but first and foremost I'm navigating my business with a Christlike mindset. It's hard enough to do business but throw in a spiritual compass...WOW!!!  Words like modesty and testimony and statements like, you represent our church are used. It isn’t a small or easy task. The world's view on business is that “It’s not personal, it’s business and anything goes. ” But for me, I can’t take God out of the equation, He lives in me! This leaves me, as a business owner, swimming against the current of modern sales tactics. (In the fashion industry, “sex sells”… and I do not, will not operate under that mentality!) I’m sure it is the same for other women like me in business, which is why I think it struck a conversation point yesterday. 

If I was a CEO, had a large office downtown, in the tallest building, it would be expected that I would dress for success, make public appearances and show up for social media events. I would be expected to advertise my product. People wouldn’t say, “She just wants attention” “She is trying to attract men” “She is so vain”. (or maybe they would???) But the reality is, why is it as a community -especially Christian community (((yikes)))- where women like me, who operate their business using a social media outlet are scrutinized and given the stank eye… yup, I just went there (and I hate that I have to!).

We have to start having this conversation with our friends. We have to be the woman who says, “Woooooe… I think you're reading that business owner ALL WRONG!” Lets change the conversation. Not only start changing the conversation but lets start interacting, hearting, and sharing content created by CHRISTIAN WOMEN IN BUSINESS!! I need you to like my content, because people with a -sex sells mentality- aren’t going to! I need you to comment. I need you to interact with me. You (and creating jewelry) is why I’m out on this limb. This limb has the best, most beautiful exhilarating view, and I’m here for it!!! BUT, It is going to take an entire community -every-single-one-of-you- to make this small business and other Christian women small owned businesses thrive.

Wear My Heart

You wear my heart.

There are all kinds of creators and designers; amazing people who re-purpose and craft. With imagination and a little gumption, amazing things can be made.

What I do goes beyond that. Creating, for me, starts in my heart and pours out in the form of hand painted and hand stained wood bead jewelry. It is birthed from within me.

I send out pieces of my heart everyday in hopes that the love I pour into each small bead will shine in a big way, embellishing and bringing JOY to the woman who holds and wears it.

When I meet beauties wearing my jewelry, it is like reconnecting with a dear friend from the past. Every creation, every single one holds a special place, in my heart.

A few weeks ago, I met a beautiful stranger wearing Sarahfide, it meant more than I can articulate in words.

I was in a store about 30 minutes away from my home. John and I were purchasing some shoes for our middle child. I heard my name, “Sarah?”. I turned to see a beautiful and loving face with a most welcoming and sincere smile. As I looked at her, she looked at me. I didn’t know her. As her eyes went down to her raising wrists, I realized she was showing me her Sarahfide Bracelets. I’d like to say I responded like Grace Kelly but I think I was more like Kathrine Hepburn. I broke code, with her permission, and hugged her. We stood in the isle talking, about jewelry of course, and her beautiful southern name, Ella Jean. I am horrible with names, but I think it will be a name I remember forever.

We had to take pictures, of course. She was a kind and gracious woman. (The bracelets she was wearing had been custom ordered for her, by her daughter. So special.)

Ella Jean

A picture of her creations before they left my studio.

The third bracelet was on the other hand, I was so excited, I didn’t get it in the picture.

If you are thinking about purchasing jewelry to keep or to gift, I would be honored if you would consider purchasing and wearing Sarahfide. I can’t speak for major retails and hobble jewelers, but I can without a doubt tell you that your comments, likes, shares, purchases, and ultimately wearing Sarahfide literally makes my heart smile. Let me share a piece of my heart with you. Visit my Season’s Greetings Jewelry to see all of the NEW, Hand Stained, beaded jewelry I’ve added to the site, just for you. CLICK HERE

Glimpse Into My Private Collection

Welcome to a rare glimpse inside my private jewelry collection. Fifty-six of my favorite brooches pictured here with many more packed away.

I started Sarahfide two years ago but my love for jewelry and vintage accessories started when I was a child.

Three years ago, when we moved from our large home to our current home, which is small, I packed away a lot of my jewelry and my vintage accessories. Some of the few vintage pieces that aren’t packed have been making a few appearances, you can see one of them in the picture. Notice the glove…

Today, I unpacked, sorted, and organized my jewelry collection.

-If there was ever ANY question if creating jewelry is my calling, talent, gift.... today brought finality and an end to those hidden questions that linger at the back of my mind.

~Isn’t it amazing how God curates our lives. As long as I can remember….

I. (have and will always)

Love.

Jewelry.

I love beautiful, well made, quality jewelry. I also love vintage costume jewelry. Gaudy, delicious, exquisite beads that, well... you don't see any more. I can not be more excited that I am breaking the mold in the jewelry industry. I'm not just assembling some jewelry kit and selling it or buying already made jewelry and reselling it, I'm creating jewelry from scratch. It starts with a raw wood bead and the value of that wood bead is purely based on the skill, creativity, and time I put into it.

I am excited to share more!!!

P.S. If you think I have a lot of brooches, just wait till I show you my private bangle bracelet collection. W.O.W!

But for now, I leave you with my Sarahfide Bangle Collection available HERE where all my Fall Jewelry can be seen…. also, notice the handkerchief in the top left corner…

…. beautiful.

XO

~s