Meet Sara Hynes | Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sara Hynes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In college as an Art student I was learning all about art and design. I loved all of the new skills I was learning and ended up creating some things in class I was really proud of. I enjoyed creating things with the new skills I had learned and thought other people might enjoy them as well. I started off by selling digital prints on Etsy. Mainly designs about long distance from Florida (where I was attending college) and Minnesota (where I’m from). From there I moved onto pregnancy announcements and other things I designed for my sister. 7 years later I have transitioned into selling apparel and home decor, I hand letter and illustrate all of my designs and even though I’m a full time graphic designer by day my Etsy shop is still my creative outlet to design things that bring me joy.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m lucky enough to have a creative day job and a creative side hustle. I work full time as a senior graphic designer for Medica Health Insurance. I love my job, it’s very fun to be a part of a team, have structure in my day and produce corporate work i’m very proud of. Getting feedback from co-workers and higher ups gives me the tools and resources to continue to keep growing and learning in my field. I’ve had my business Sara Hynes Designs on the side since college to now. My business has ebbed and flowed throughout the years. Sometimes it takes the front seat and I work really hard on new designs, seasonal launches and marketing strategies. Other times it takes the back seat and is simply some passive income and something I do that brings me joy. I try to infuse color, happiness and optimism in my designs as much as possible. I want that mug you pull from the cabinet to enjoy your morning coffee in to bring a smile to your face! Some of the challenges I face are purely time and manufacturing issues. When life gets busy having a side job can be hard to keep up with at times, other struggles are when manufacturers are sold out of blank inventory and I have to scramble to find alternatives. In the end everything works out and life is full of little lessons and bumps in the road.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not sure if this is applying to Miami or where i’m at – Minneapolis. Since I’ve only been to Miami once I can’t speak to it but here in Minneapolis there are endless things to do.

I’d probably start by taking them to brunch at Nolo’s Kitchen in Minneapolis. After full off of breakfast tacos and mimosas we would walk around down town. I’d probably take them to the flower mill museum because it has great history of Minnesota as well as wonderful views of the city. Walk along the stone arch bridge, grab a drink along the river. Then I’d take them to Union rooftop downtown for more fun views and eats. The next day I would take them up to Taylors Falls for some good hiking and then off to Stillwater for some small town feels, good food and more views. There is a lot of great breweries, restaurants, and view in Minnesota it would be hard to choose.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A couple people come to mind. My professor Michael Salmond at Florida Gulf Coast University, he really got me excited about design. His enthusiasm for design and the way he helped guide me through college to get every design experience I could meant the world to me. My sister Ashley, she really is a huge idea generation factory. She always has the best ideas, she tells me all about them and then I make them come to life with design. From the beginning with me designing things like her pregnancy announcements to now when she comes up with the cutest ideas for shirts and mugs. The last person that come to mind is my friend Dan Souligny. He’s one of those friends who’s so talented it’s insane, just being around him makes you want to be a better designer. He mentored me at my first big girl design job, encouraged me to buy my first mug press and launch my etsy shop into apparel and home decor. He continues to support and encourage me and I’m very grateful for his friendship.

Website: www.sarahynesdesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahynesdesigns/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraHynesDesigns