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

Don't Let Your Love Fern Die

Hopefully, this made some of you laugh!! For those of you who don't know, this is a quote from the movie, How To Loose A Guy In Ten Days. -You gotta love a lighthearted comedy, Right?!?

But seriously, having been married Twenty-Two years, I think it qualifies me to give you some helpful advice.

Here it is…..
Tell them what you want.

They can not read your mind. I know!!! We want them to... but seriously, do we really?

One of the best days of my marriage was when I accepted the fact, He. Can’t. Read. My. Mind.

Occasionally, I try to fall back into some kind of a romantic comedy where I have an expectation for him to show up at the perfect location to save the day, but that's not how it usually plays out in real life.

So, if you want flowers, tell him.
If you want him to take you out, tell him.
If you want him to buy you Sarahfide, tell him. :)

It is so fulfilling when you tell someone what you want <and> they Do IT! And!!!! most likely, all that energy they would have spent trying to figure out what you wanted, now turns into energy they put into getting you what you want and doing it in a big way.

So, take it from me, tell them what you. If they ask you to get specific, get specific.

Also, -and this is for your guys- if she says she doesn’t want anything, let me suggest still doing something. February 13th, she may not want anything, and genuinely mean it, but then, February 15th rolls around. She hears and sees what everyone did for Valentine’s Day and… well, you know how it goes.

You have eleven days, so start talking, start planning, get her some Sarahfide!

Shopping with Sarahfide is easy, I accept all payment methods, I offer Free Shipping with no minimal order and, I have the most amazing packaging. You don’t need to wrap it. It ships to gift.

Below are five elegant options that would be perfect for the occasion.

LOVE ME NECKLACE : You can choose between Gold or Silver. Only $15.00.

Below are the: SHY SINGLE LADIES DANGLE EARRINGS These little earrings go with everything. $15.00

This is the: ART DECO NECK DAZZLE NECKLACE- $30.00

You can choose between four different bead options. The Platinum is my personal FAVE!!!

CUSTOM EXPRESSIONS BRACELET STACK only $25.00. You can choose her initials, your babies initials, maybe a word that inspires her, or something significant to the two of you. This bracelet is a win/win.

Everything located on my site is designed, hand painted, and created by me, Sarah. I’m the sole designer and owner of Sarahfide Creations and the gal that is trying to Help.You.Out!!!

Happy Shopping!!

~s

If You Hit A Wall, Swim. Fly!

Have you hit a wall lately in your life? Maybe at your J.O.B., in your marriage, with a friend??

I did. Four short years ago, during a necessary, common surgery, a doctor accidentally removed the majority of my left ureter. (They were attempting to remove my left ovary, but made a mistake.) It was devastating. Life changing. What should have been an outpatient surgery, turned into a half month stent, in a hospital. Three surgeries, a dozen procedures, and top physicians couldn’t repair the damage that had been done. My body was, is, and forever, will be broken. I spent the first three years mostly recovering from my latest surgery or procedure. Then, I received the devastating news from Mayo Clinic, that the pain, infections, and possible kidney failure were just going to be part of my life. There was noting they could do. The damage was done and it was not repairable.

My Brick Wall.

I gave in to the idea that I had lost myself on that surgical table. I was hopeless… depressed. I felt like a giant taker. No longer a functioning contributor to my family or society. I believed I had noting to give. I fell prey to the lies that I was worthless, unnecessary, and unneeded. Just existing was hard.

The details of my recovery are another story, and one I am anxious to tell, but not today.

I will say, that as a part of my recovery, I started trying to create things to give to others. I wanted so much to bring JOY to others. I started making small gifts and it evolved into making jewelry. Then…Sarahfide was born. I had learned to SWIM.

Sarahfide has become so important to me. It is my pride and JOY!

Why?

First, it has helped me see my value. Even if I didn’t have Sarahfide, I am no longer blinded by the lies that I am worthless. I have an amazing husband and three beautiful children and I contribute to their lives, Just By Being Me.

Secondly, I’m ready to contribute. Not only do I want to pick myself up and live, but I want to thrive!!! I want to contribute to my church, my family and friends, and to my home. Two years ago, we sold our home. We couldn’t afford to live there and pay my rising medical expenses, with my declining health. After selling our home, we moved into an old property owned by my parents. It is a mobile home, made in the Seventies. This is where we now lay our heads but it has never felt like our home. We are grateful for our community, our family but I am ready to stand on my own two feet. My dream, my husbands dream, AND our three girls pray that Sarahfide will be successful enough to buy a home of our own. Not new… not large… just ours.

So, you can see, there is much to be done. The wall is still there. Going that way is not an option for me. Daily, I struggle with the consequences of this medical injury. It is not going to go away. I am leaning how to do life differently. I am now in the water and I am swimming. I have a goal, a destination, and I am determined to get there, even if I have to learn how to FLY!

No matter your dream, don’t give up. Never! Give! Up!. If you hit a wall, find another way. There is always a way around. Swim. Fly, if you have to!

CHOOSE Beautiful

CHOOSE.

I don’t care if you shop with me or if you shop with her. I just want you to CHOOSE beautiful!.

Have you noticed an uptick in how many “Shop Small” businesses have popped up since the world changed a few months ago? I have.

This time last year, if you had told me I would have a booming business, a website, and be designing and creating jewelry, I seriously would have thought you were crazy. I wouldn’t have told you that, ~because it’s not nice~, but I most definitely would have thought it.

So, if you look at the Sarahfide calendar, you would see that I launched my small biz February 3rd. Of course, I had been in the shadows creating the actual business for several months, before I launched. The week I launched my biz, not only did I become aware that we were on the verge of an epidemic, but I also found out two women, that I knew personally, had started jewelry businesses. I was told one had been doing it for a while and the second was like me, new. (Once, I stayed up all night cooking and decorating the most perfect cake for my little girls school party. I was so proud of my cake and knew everyone would be blown away by how amazing it was. After taking my first step into my child’s classroom, the next morning, I saw that not only was there a similar themed cake already on the table, but I also noticed, sitting pretty, in the middle of each child’s plate, was the most delicious looking designer cupcake.) Disappointing… THIS felt like THAT…

I’m not going to lie. My heart sank.

First, how was my new business going to make those other two women feel… and secondly, how was I going to have a successful jewelry business, if my community of people, already had two other jewelry businesses to buy from.

Then I remembered… JOY! I love creating. I love creating jewelry. I love creating fun pictures of my jewelry. I loved creating my website and making it my own. I even love writing this BLOG! :)

All that to say, I took a step back and listened to the amazing people I have in my life and started focusing on me, Sarahfide. I ignored the lies of, “what if I’m not good enough” and “what if this makes people mad”. I am still aware of the other beauties selling jewelry.. but there is room for everyone!! I don’t want to compete. I want to encourage!! I want people in my community to be successful and profitable. In fact, I want all small businesses to be successful and profitable. It will help our economy and bring a better future for my children.

Do I see a great design by another designer or an image on social media that spawns an idea in me? Sure!

Do I try to sell my jewelry and try to make my prices competitive? Sure!

Do I pray for those woman, because I know the painstaking hours it takes to run a business, ABSOLUTELY!

So to you, shopper, customer, client, beauty, friend….

I don’t care if you choose me or if you choose her…. I really only want you to feel beautiful, because that is what you are. You are beautiful. Shop for something that makes you feel beautiful. CHOOSE beautiful.

Shop small… jewelry, women’s clothes, children’s clothes, healthy living supplies, books, meal plans, pink drinks, skinny drinks, cupcakes, etc…. #womenencouragingwomen

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