We recently connected with Caroline Sterr and have shared our conversation below.

Caroline, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The entirety of my business is built on the kindness of friends and that is such a gift. From showing up to support me at a market and buying a few stickers, to being some of the first to trust me enough to mural an entire wall in their space – they are the reason I’m still going after 5 years. Their willingness to support and trust me gives me the chance to spread my wings, scratch whatever creative itch I’m feeling, and try new things. They inspire me to risk failure to create something beautiful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I spend my work days as a Project Manager in the advertising industry. In that job, my creativity is seen more through problem solving, brainstorming, and offering unsolicited opinions to our designers. At work, I’m always in pursuit of thoughtful design, inclusive experiences, creative solutions, and curiosity.

When I’m not at work, you can probably find me overthinking, making art, rearranging my bookshelf, forgetting something relevant, napping, or telling a dog I love them. The “making art” space is where my business was born. After years of doing one-off creative projects for friends – anything from Christmas card photos to small branding projects – I decided to make things official in the spring of 2018.

In the years since, Caroline Sterr Creative has ebbed and flowed, and housed many of my creative endeavors – photography, design, branding, murals, and window installations. I’m grateful for the creative umbrella my business has become, and the flexibility I have to try new things and create both ordinary and extraordinary things.

When it comes to creative passions, I’m a bit of a hodgepodge and I’ll own that. The pursuit of that creativity consistently leads me down different paths and I’m always excited to explore something new. I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. Whether the medium is acrylic on wood, photography, or digital work, I’ve always seen beautiful things in humble places, and I want to capture and create that in the world as well.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

It’s all about the ripple effect of good vibes and happy customers. Almost every new gig and sale I snag comes from the awesome shout-outs and love from my current clients.

A majority of my revenue is thanks to referrals. It’s like this beautiful chain reaction where one happy customer tells a friend, who tells another friend, and suddenly I’ve got this new crew of folks checking out my work.

And let’s talk about the magic of markets. When my customers invite their pals to the markets I’m vending at, or they share my events on their socials, it’s a great boost for my business! I love meeting people in person and seeing them interact with my work. Such a sweet experience.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning the whole idea that my business has to be my only cash cow has been quite the journey for me. What’s been a game-changer is realizing my business can be more than just a moneymaker. It’s become this awesome creative outlet. In my day job, creativity often takes a back seat, but with my business, I get to experiment, try new things, and truly express myself.

So, this shift in mindset has allowed me to explore new opportunities, strike a better life balance, and turn my business into a canvas for my creative turn my business into a canvas for my many creative interests. Now, I find satisfaction in the whole entrepreneurial journey, not just the financial wins. Turns out, there’s more to life than the daily grind, and diversifying my sources of fulfillment, especially through creativity, has made the entire experience incredibly rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: carolinesterr.com
• Instagram: @carolinesterrcreative
• Facebook: /carolinesterrcreative