Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Neves

Hi Sara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I’ve always enjoyed being creative on the computer, but never really gave it much thought. I would edit videos for my best friends, create posters for school projects, and I always took pleasure in designing PowerPoint presentations for school. I guess it comes as no shock that SIMS was my favorite desktop game.

Curiously, I won a national digital art contest at the age of 13. However, I wasn’t aware back then that digital art could be a profession. Since I was a good student and loved math, art didn’t seem like the obvious path for me to take.

When the time came to choose a university degree, I stumbled upon a unique course. It was the only course in Portugal that offered a 50-50 combination of design (the creative side) and computer science (the logical, mathematical side). I saw some student projects and was truly inspired. I realized that I didn’t even need to know how to draw to pursue a career in art. It felt like at that moment, everything fell into place. I remember thinking, “Wait, can I actually do this for a living?!”.

One day I was completing my last exam for my Bachelor’s degree in Design and Web Development, and the next day I was starting my summer internship as a UI/UX Developer at a startup in Lisbon. Literally! The next day!

Two years later, I was offered a position as a UI/UX Designer at TAP Air Portugal, the biggest airline company in my country.

In search of doing more creative work and being closer to my family (#LifeGoals), I accepted a role as a Web Designer for a Design Agency near my hometown.

In 2019, I decided to take the leap and quit my agency job to give entrepreneurship a shot. I thought, “I’m young, I don’t have much responsibility, so let’s give it a try for 2 years”. And that’s how Unicorn Designer Studio was born.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Starting my own business certainly wasn’t a smooth road. When I quit my job to start Unicorn Designer Studio, I had zero clients. Thankfully, I had savings that could sustain me for two years, which offered some relief. I spent the first month building my brand, portfolio, and website from scratch.

One evening, as I was scrolling through Instagram, I stumbled upon a story from an entrepreneur who had been in my shoes five years prior. Her story resonated with me – she had quit her job and all she wanted was to cover her old salary. I realized that I was in the exact same spot! Where she was now, five years later, seemed an appealing place for me to be in the future. I was captivated, wanting to know everything she did to get there.

Despite the excitement, the reality was that I wasn’t making any money with my less than a month old business. I was proficient in design, but running a business was a completely different beast. I knew I had to educate myself, and what better way to do that than to learn from someone who had walked the path before me.

Investing in a mentor was the best decision I ever made. When you’re launching a business, every decision counts. Just a simple piece of advice like, “Don’t charge less than X for a branding/website,” proved to be a game-changer for me. I effectively “raised my prices” before landing my first client, which acted as a significant accelerator.

And it wasn’t just about the advice. Hearing her stories, knowing that I was not alone in my journey, was incredibly motivating. I knew that if I faced similar challenges, I would know what to do.

As my business matured, so did the challenges. One of the most enduring aspects of running a business is dealing with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it. There are times when our self-worth seems intrinsically linked to how our business is performing. But as I’ve learned and now share with other designers, it’s crucial to separate the two.

Now, I see other designers asking me the same questions and seeking advice. They want to know my story, and that’s why I also offer coaching for designers. I want to help others navigate this challenging, yet rewarding, path just as my mentor did for me.

We’ve been impressed with Unicorn Designer Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

Unicorn Designer Studio is a one-stop shop for female speakers, coaches, and consultants looking to elevate their brand and online presence. I specialize in crafting bespoke websites that encapsulate the essence and personality of each client, ensuring they stand out as experts in their field. By combining design and coding skills, I’m able to offer a fully unique, 100% custom-designed brand and website that sets my clients apart from their competition.

My signature offering is the Unicorn Experience, a 1:1 VIP package that includes Branding, Web Design, and Web Development. I guide my clients through this journey from start to finish, using a streamlined process for a stress-free experience. I handle everything from brand creation to website development, focusing on clarity, structure, and user-friendly design.

What sets me apart is my ability to truly understand my clients’ needs and translate that into a design that not only looks good, but also effectively communicates their offerings and attracts their ideal clients. My clients often say that working with me is like working with a friend – someone who’s kind, patient, and genuinely invested in their success. They appreciate my ability to structure and organize their content, as well as the fun and excitement I bring to the process.

I also offer ongoing support to my clients, ensuring they never have to worry about design or tech issues. From Monthly Maintenance to Hourly Packages, I’m here to ensure our magical connection continues long after the project is completed.

So, if you’re ready to showcase your professionalism, credibility, and knowledge with a beautiful, clean, and easy-to-navigate website, I’m here to bring your dream website to life. Embrace the Unicorn Experience and let’s create some magic together!

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?

As a child, I was the kind of girl who decided at the age of 6 that it was best to finish up homework first and play later without a worry in her mind. This approach made me a top student, a result of my self-discipline, organization, and ability to summarize information in an effective, concise way.

Planning and organization have always been second nature to me. I’m the girl with a plan for EVERYTHING, to the point where I can proudly call myself a Notion addict. This tendency even extended to my wardrobe. By the age of 15, I’d had enough of clothes staying at the bottom of my drawer, so I started my “Outfit Plans”. I would take out all my clothes, spread them on my bedroom floor, and write down combinations for each day of the month. This sheet went up on my closet door, ensuring every item had its turn to be worn.

These days, I may not be making “Outfit Plans,” but my high standards for organization persist in my professional life. You can be certain that when working with me, your website content will be structured, clear, and easy to navigate.

Pricing:

• Branding Projects start at $5k
• The Unicorn Experience starts at $15k, including Branding, Website Design, and Development

Contact Info:

• Website: https://unicorndesignerstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unicorn.designer/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unicorndesignerstudio
• Other: https://calendly.com/unicorndesignerstudio/get-to-know-call

Image Credits

Design by Unicorn Designer Studio