Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karyn Savory. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Karyn, thanks for joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?
Yes, I have and I couldn’t be more grateful for where my business and I are today. I feel that growing up, there was a lot of stereotypical messages about the potential of making a living as a creative. Luckily, I never let that deter me and was very fortunate to have parents who encouraged me to pursue whatever I chose.
As for my journey, ever since I was little, I had always dreamed of being an artist. I was a master doodler. Whether I was drawing animals or illustrating words, my love for the arts was apparent as soon as I could pick up a crayon. Throughout the years I thoroughly enjoyed playing on the computer as well, creating digital pieces in Paint and embellishing all of my school projects with colorful WordArt. As I grew older and was officially introduced to graphic design, I knew immediately that it was my calling and started interning at a local design firm my senior year of high school.
Discovering a career path with the perfect combination of art and technology was a dream come true. This new passion then led me to California where I attended Cal Poly and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Concentration in Graphic Design. After graduation, I eagerly launched into my creative career working within various design departments and marketing agencies while gathering as much experience as I could. It was then that I also started freelancing for various friends, family, and other connections on the side.
Though California’s Central Coast holds a special place in my heart, eventually the mountains were calling me home to Colorado. After working a little while longer at a couple other design firms, I felt like I needed a change of pace. I realized I had lost my direct connection to clients and the relationships that invigorated me and my work. I also craved more flexibility to travel and no longer being stuck in the daily 9 to 5 grind. I had always worked best with leadership, a steady routine and a list of tasks to accomplish, but suddenly it all felt too restricting. I was breaking out of my shell and ultimately out of my comfort zone, desperate for a new adventure and challenge.
This growing need for something different and a desire for more fulfilling interactions with my clients blossomed into a crazy idea that I NEVER envisioned myself doing… starting my own creative business. The dive into entrepreneurship was incredibly rewarding from the get-go, but also very difficult. I’ve hit quite a few bumps in the road, but none that I haven’t been able to push through or overcome. Financially, I was lucky enough to have a decent savings to dedicate to my business and all of my living expenses as things slowly took off. Without it, I never would have had the luxury to quit my job and jump in headfirst.
The epiphany that encouraged me to take the leap into entrepreneurship came to me during a road trip while wishing I could satisfy my wanderlust whenever it struck. I also recalled something a design agency founder had told me back in college upon learning my last name; “Savory, that’s a tasty name. You should be in food.” At the time I was confused and taken aback since I was there to learn graphic design, but then it finally dawned on me. I could be a graphic designer for the food & beverage industry, focusing on all that I love in life; food, culture, and creativity. So, inspired by my travels, a love for the edible, and paired with my creative gifts, my entrepreneurial journey began on April 9, 2019 when Sweet & Savory Designs was born.
Karyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
The story behind Sweet & Savory Designs began when my grandma, Dorothy Sweet, met and fell in love with my grandfather, Leonard Savory. He was her chemistry professor while studying at Denver University. You could say they not only had “chemistry,” but the perfect flavor profile for a fulfilling life together. Meant to be, the marriage of Sweet & Savory was officially rejoiced on June 10, 1947. Their love story then became mine. I like to think my name and its origin explains my obsession for all things food and beverage. I’m always thinking about my next meal and the happiness it brings so why not build a business around everything that I enjoy? It was fate.
Through my travels and life overseas I have found that food isn’t only nourishing physiologically, but also mentally, socially, and emotionally. It breathes life and energy into our world so what’s not to love? In pursuit of combining this passion with purpose, I founded Sweet & Savory Designs to help food and beverage companies create top-shelf visual brands that provide joy and nourishment to their communities.
Logo design and branding is my specialty. I find it invigorating to help create the visuals in which a business’ personality and mission shine through. Your brand is the most powerful and influential piece of your business. It is the lifeblood behind your product or service that allows it to live, grow and evolve. It is far more than just a name and logo. Your brand is your customers’ experience with your company so you need your brand to work for you and get you the results you crave. This is where I come in and I live for it.
Using my knowledge of the human experience, brand design psychology and a love for all things tasty, I am devoted to collaborating with other passionate foodtrepreneurs to help bring their dream to life. As a graphic designer, my vision is to create memorable experiences and spread happiness to others through food, culture and of course, design.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One of the largest obstacles on my professional journey is the ever-present feeling of fear. Imposter syndrome is no joke. I constantly find myself asking “Am I really qualified to offer these services? Can I actually charge this much? What am I doing? Was this a total mistake?” As an entrepreneur, the sense of doubt and uncertainty consumes you and plants seeds of doubt in all that you do, BUT perseverance always pulls me through. The best cure for fear, at least in my case, was to surround myself with a supportive and inspiring group of business owners alike. They continue to build my confidence, encourage me to trust myself, and lift me up when I’m down. I couldn’t do it without them.
My health (both mentally & physically) has also been a major road block. For years I’ve battled chronic headaches and told myself, “this is your normal… just push through it… you can handle it”. Initially I could handle it, but once I entered the entrepreneurial world, everything crashed and burned. The headaches got worse, I lost focus, I had no energy and felt like my body was controlling me rather than the other way around. You never realize how much you and your business are truly connected. It breathes life from you so if you’re not healthy, happy and confident, you definitely can’t expect it to be. My friend and fellow entrepreneur was constantly reminding me that I am the number one resource in my business. I now continue to tell myself that every day and made improving my health my top priority.
Hello Mindset Shift.
This was the turning point and has absolutely been the key to my newfound success. Though it took a while to figure out what it meant to put myself first, I’ve finally realized that it begins and ends with self-awareness. Understanding how I’m feeling at any given moment or in any situation helps guide me through each challenge or decision both life and my business present. Without this self-awareness I would’ve been miserable chasing what I had initially thought it meant to be an entrepreneur. The “hustle” culture glorified in everything I read or event I attended never sat quite right with me. I began to think I might not be cut out for what this new path demanded of me, but as I plunged myself into a now continuous state of self-reflection I discovered the exact opposite.
Once I chose to honor MY energy, MY likes and dislikes, what drives ME and MY dream, everything started to fall into place. Spurred by this decision, I admit to fully embracing the “woo woo”. I sought guidance and answers from everything that intrigued me, from human design and astrology to crystals, tarot and meditation. Each of these outlets encouraged me to dig deeper into what makes me tick and what truly lights me up and puts a smile on my face. With these tools, I’m constantly finding new perspectives, solutions and connections that feel aligned with my vision and goals both personally and professionally.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
I have three overlapping strategies that I feel have made ALL of the difference in building my client base and opportunities for work; intentional relationships, niching down, and knowing what drives you.
As we all do when we first launch, I desperately needed clients so I hit the ground running and started networking like a madwoman. Throughout my first year of business, I joined a variety of professional groups and attended as many social happy hours and events as I could manage. I also got involved in a few food-specific organizations like Colorado Food Works and the Colorado Restaurant Association to immerse myself in the communities that my clients would likely be part of as well. The relationships that I’ve blossomed over the last few years and continue to nurture have greatly influenced my influx of interested prospects. I’ve learned that as long as I get out and connect with others, tell my story and be myself, the business invitations start to flow.
In relation to my services, I’ve re-evaluated my already-specific niche of food & beverage and narrowed down my offerings even more. I’ve decided to only encompass what I love doing, who I actually enjoy working with, and all for a price that suits my desired lifestyle and reflects my experience and self-worth.
As a business owner, I’ve inspired myself to live everyday driven by what I’ve defined as my source commitments (a.k.a. my core values or my WHY). They are joy, comfort, adventure, flow, community, collaboration, and above all a sense of freedom. Not only am I making a living doing what I love while serving & helping nourish others, but each day I am growing into a better version of myself and in turn, attracting clients who sense it. We all must figure out what nourishes us in order to flourish.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sweetsavorydesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetandsavorydesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetsavorydesigns/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karyn-savory-551a6632/