We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Lewis Bello. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with a hypothetical – what would you change about the educational system?

If I could change one thing about the education system, it would be to place a stronger emphasis on financial literacy and entrepreneurship; especially at the high school and college levels. Every student, regardless of their career path, should learn how to manage their money, build wealth, and create something of their own. We often tell students to “follow their passions,” but we rarely equip them with the tools to turn those passions into sustainable careers or businesses.

As someone who works in the arts, I’ve seen firsthand how many creative students graduate with talent but no idea how to market their skills, price their work, file taxes as a freelancer, or build a business that can support them. I believe that even degrees in the arts should be paired with strong business education, because in many ways, every artist is an entrepreneur.

I know this because I had to learn it the hard way. After leaving school, I found myself with the talent to create but without the knowledge to turn that talent into income. I had to self-teach marketing, bookkeeping, contracts, and how to advocate for the value of my work. It was a slow, uphill climb. One that could’ve been so much smoother with even a semester of real-world business training in school.

Imagine if students graduated not just with a diploma, but with a working portfolio, a business plan, and a roadmap for financial independence. That’s the kind of education that prepares people for a fulfilling life, not just one that looks good on paper

Sarah, 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?

I’m Sarah, a live wedding painter and muralist based in Tucson, Arizona. I create real-time paintings during weddings and events, giving couples a one-of-a-kind heirloom that captures the emotion and energy of their day on canvas, as it’s happening.

My business, Everything Beautiful, is built on the idea that art should serve a purpose. I didn’t take the traditional art school route. I actually walked away from art for years after being discouraged early on. But when I came back to it, I realized that creativity wasn’t just something pretty, it was deeply useful. That mindset drives everything I do today.

I’m focused on my clients as people first, and I create art that solves their specific problem. Whether it’s a mural to cure a boring wall and increase foot traffic, or a live wedding painting that makes your day entertaining for guests and keeps your memories from fading, I treat every project as a custom solution for someone unique. My clients don’t get cookie-cutter. They get work made just for them, with care and intention behind every brushstroke.

My main focus right now is live wedding painting. I also paint murals, lead group paint experiences, and am launching worship paint nights that bring people together through art and reflection. One of my proudest projects was painting a 4,200-square-foot mural for Uncle Bob’s Popcorn, a Tucson institution that had been around for over 50 years. The wall was dull and well weathered. Now it’s vibrant, bold, and visible from down the street. That mural didn’t just change the building; it shifted how people noticed the business.

What sets me apart is honesty, hard work, and heart. I’m not here to gatekeep creativity or sell you fluff. I’m here to use my craft to make something that matters to help businesses stand out, to help couples remember, and to help people reconnect with what’s beautiful in their lives

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was this: honoring the client more than yourself is humble. I used to think that saying yes to everything, keeping my prices low, and bending my process to accommodate others made me more professional and approachable. But I learned the hard way that constantly putting the client first at the expense of your time, boundaries, and worth, doesn’t serve anyone. It drains you and attracts the wrong kind of projects.

One experience that drove this home was with a client who constantly reminded me how busy they were. They delayed meetings, ignored emails, and made it clear I should be grateful for whatever time they could spare. Wanting to make the project work, I skipped my usual steps; no intake form, no clear agreement, just dove in and tried to be “easy to work with.” In the end, they ghosted me and canceled last minute. I was left with wasted time, no deposit, and a reminder that humility doesn’t mean devaluing yourself.

That was a turning point. I realized that respect has to go both ways. Since then, I’ve built a process that protects both me and the client. Every project now starts with a form. I set expectations in the first meeting. And no creative work happens without a deposit; no matter what. And what I’ve found is that the right clients actually love this. They appreciate clarity, boundaries, and someone who leads with confidence.

Alongside that, I’ve learned that pricing is not just about the money, it’s about value. Raising your rates doesn’t make you greedy. It makes you sustainable. Clients will treat you at the level you treat yourself. And if you try to be for everyone, you’ll end up burnt out and undervalued.

Now, I work with people who are excited to collaborate, who respect the process, and who understand that great work comes from mutual trust, not from self-sacrifice. That’s the lesson, and it changed everything.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A few years ago, I was pouring a lot of energy into public paint parties, also known as paint & sips. I was designing new themes, creating fresh paintings, reaching out to venues, promoting events on social media, and handling all the logistics myself. On top of that, I often had to negotiate with businesses just to use their space, and many charged high fees or had complicated requirements.

Despite all the work, the return just wasn’t there. The turnout was inconsistent, and I found myself spending way more time and effort than it was worth. It started to feel like I was working around the clock just to break even.

So, I made the decision to pivot: I stopped offering public paint parties altogether and moved to private events only, by request. That one shift changed everything. Private events allow me to focus on the people who are already invested. Whether it’s a birthday, a bachelorette party, a team-building event, or a women’s gathering. It’s more meaningful, more sustainable, and allows me to serve clients in a more personal and effective way.

Sometimes pivoting means letting go of something you worked hard to build. But it also means freeing yourself up for what actually works and what truly aligns with your goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/everythingbeautiful.az
• Facebook: Sarah Lewis

Image Credits

For Love With Love (only for first wedding painting photo)