Meet Sarah Kelly | Multi Passionate Creative Powerhouse

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

Hi Sarah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
There is a quote I have always felt connected to that sums this up best- “I’m going to make everything around me beautiful- that will be my life.” – Elsie de Wolfe

I have always felt called to making the world a more beautiful place and inspired with how visual communication can impact our confidence, understanding, and sense of identity. After receiving my degree in Visual Communications from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in 2010, I dove into any and all creative opportunities ranging from corporate to small business, styling to commercial production, retail to weddings and events. Throughout all of these experiences, one thing remained true and called out to me louder with each passing year- my unique vision.

I want to use the way my brain sees creative potential and untapped beauty in brands, individuals, spaces, any and all the things you can dream of, and see each of us grow into our most authentic successful space. I truly feel that this is the way I get to love people best and it is the thing that keeps me excited to tackle each day.

Stepping into my own space and offering Sarah Kelly Creative as a resource has allowed me to bring my experiences and knowledge from all walks of my creative life in the past 16 years under one umbrella, and I can’t wait to see what paths open up next!

x

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I find what sets me apart from others is just how many facets of multiple industries I draw experience and inspiration from. My path has most definitely not been a straight line, and that has only proven to benefit my overall vision and artistry.

I began my journey in visual merchandising and absolutely loved watching the faces of customers and window shoppers alike light up as they perused the store or stopped to admire the windows- there’s a reason they call it “retail therapy”! The hours and labor required to bring this magic to life in store was not always easy, and I’m pretty sure that’s when coffee and I fully committed in our relationship to one another… lol

As my career began to evolve, I was a visual district manager, buyer, and creative consultant for corporate and small businesses alike. I then took a position with a larger corporation and throughout my time there was able to not only run the Visual Merchandising department for over 500 stores, but also step into the Creative Department to assist with commercial production and additional marketing. Being involved in a brick + mortar industry and watching the rise of online shopping and it’s effects on my passion was difficult to process. I had always been the little girl that loved going in to a store and experiencing it- laughably, I can even remember rearranging the stuffed animal display at The Disney Store because I felt something was lacking- so to know that someday when I have children of my own, the brick + mortar mall would be a thing of the past, was hard to wrap my mind around.

This awareness and recognition led me to accept and pursue a full time path in the weddings + events industry the past 7 years where I was able to create in new and unique ways with new mediums including floral design. To watch these visions come to life and be a part of such an incredibly special day is a true gift, and I will remember each client and the connections we made for the rest of my life.

With the changes we all have gone through in the past few years, and focusing inwards to truly recognize what we want from our life and our impact on the world to be, I knew that the dream I had been quieting for so long needed a chance to be realized and here we are!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh gosh- the greater St. Louis area has magic tucked away in so many neighborhoods!

I am passionate about the St. Charles area, where I live and run my business. Stop at Crooked Tree or Course Coffee Roasters for coffee, grab a bite at The Bike Stop or Lewis & Clarks, sneak in a workout at Barre3, and walk along the riverfront. I grew up visiting Main Street- it has so many unique shops and very much had a large part in my dreams of someday owning my own business. FR&Co., Happy Camper, and Provenance Soapworks are definite must stops! And if you can get to the area in December to experience Christmas Traditions, you absolutely MUST have the roasted chestnuts!

A few other must-do’s for me include:

-stopping at The Book House or Dunaway Books (I collect an antique book and I’m always on the hunt for new editions to add to the collection)
-a visit to The St Louis Art Museum, The Contemporary Art Museum, or any of the amazing galleries that make their home in STL is a beautiful way to spend a day
-grabbing brunch at Bowood by Niche, shopping the beautiful plants at Bowood Farms, and hopping across the street to Shop Holliday
-order an Old Fashioned at The Frisco Barroom or head to Six Mile Bridge for a beer (if it’s in season, the Double Blood mix is incredible, you’ll thank me later!)

There is so much to be found and so many neighborhoods to discover, so if you need anymore recommendations you can always find me on Instagram! 🙂

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?
To my parents and my constant companion (and the best team member around) Giorgio, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support in this and every chapter of my story.

I’m truly grateful to each and every experience, client, co-worker, and friend I have walked at least part of this journey with in the last 16 years. Without every lesson, trial, and experience (both good and bad), I would not be the person I am today with the passion to step into my own business and lead in my unique way, impacting the world in a way I am proud to leave a legacy of.

Instagram: @skellycreative

Image Credits
Joan Fischer (@joan_fischer) – photography Trent Broglin (@tbroglinphoto) – photography 20th Street Studios (@20thstreetstudios)- studio rental Abigail Bylo (@abigailjoyhmua) – hair and makeup Cat Brunner (@cat.brunner) – model Sarah Kelly (@skellycreativestl) – Creative Direction, Styling, Casting, Concept Design + Build Out