Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shawna Zigenbein. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shawna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with 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?

Earning a living from my creative work has taken dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to view all aspects of my creativity in a way that has allowed me to open new doors that I would not have necessarily opened if I had been single-minded about my artistic nature.

From the day that I began my business, Sansarc Culture, I felt a satisfaction that I had never felt working “for” someone else. I knew from day one that Sansarc Culture would be a multifaceted brand that had the capacity to hold all of my creative endeavors. I had coaches and mentors who repeatedly advised me to “niche” down, and although I tried, it would feel like I was turning something I loved into a “job,” which felt constricting instead of freeing. So Sansarc evolved into a multifaceted mother brand! Today SC houses my Custom Designed Bridal and Clothing lines, a line of organic body care products, and a homewares line that includes organic teas, wellness infusions, housewares, a portfolio of surface pattern designs that will be released in late spring 2024, and art.

I would not change one aspect of my creative business journey. Every step has brought me directly to where I am. Some lessons have been harder to learn than others, and each has been a vital part of my evolution as a business owner and artist.

Shawna, 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 am the owner/artist of Sansarc Culture, the Mother Brand to Altar Inspired Homewares, and Teas, Invoka Luxury Skincare, and Ritual Custom Bridal Gowns. I currently live in Bend, Oregon with my husband, Shane, and pup Reba.

I created Sansarc Culture to house my creative passions, fashion, design, photography, communications, and all things creative. My creations are made for people who seek out high-integrity designs and intentionally crafted organic goods that elevate the consciousness of handcrafted culture. Each of my lines is meant to uplevel our every day. I want the task of steeping a cup of tea to feel like a ritual, your everyday skincare routine to make you feel pampered, and I want you to view the curated hand-crafted items around your home with admiration. With my bridal and clothing lines, I aim to create heirloom designs that can be worn beyond the wedding day and do my best to work with sustainable fabrics that can be hand-dyed.

All Sansarc Culture creations are made for people who seek out high-integrity designs and intentionally crafted organic goods that elevate the consciousness of handcrafted culture. I work with all organic ingredients, high-quality fabrics, historical and contemporary alternative photographic processes, and found natural elements

My bridal clients resonate with my ability to combine my aesthetic with their style and essence. They desire the highest quality materials, sustainability, and a unique design for their ceremony gown. My goal is to create a dress that exudes a beautiful expression of love, embodying the bride’s profound beauty and radiance for this most sacred Ritual.

My current bridal collection showcases four customizable gowns – Astraea, Freya, Hera, and Selene. Each dress features elements that can be modified to preferences and sized to form. If brides want something entirely unique, we will work together to design thier dream dress. We can combine elements of the Ritual collection or we can begin the co-designing process.

All Sansarc Culture Gowns, Ready-to-Wear Clothing, Ritual Decor, and Body Care are handcrafted in my Bend, Oregon “Talent Room. This is where the Sansarc Culture has evolved and where ideas, design, creation, shipping, and marketing alchemy take place. Sansarc Culture is a small design studio with big dreams and an imagination inspired by the magic of life.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I think one of the biggest steps I took while building my business is understanding that diversifying is a good thing. I have purposely kept my business at a size so that I am able to craft each item and mix each batch of tea and body butter with intention. Quality is of the utmost importance when putting out products, so supplementing my physical creations with social media management through my offshoot, Social Culture, and having a high-ticket affiliate marketing business has helped me create diverse financial security while keeping my artistic integrity within Sansarc Culture. Personally having multiple income streams has helped me become a more savvy business owner, and not having all of the financial pressure focusing on the sales from SC has opened up my creative channels and helped prevent burnout. I have designed my life to create ease in creating and each of my income streams supports that ease.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To best support artists and creatives, and cultivate a thriving creative ecosystem, society must embrace a holistic approach that acknowledges the invaluable role art and creativity play in our lives. If we can slow down our expectations and need for instant gratification we can learn to support the small businesses and artists in a more sustainable manner.

Artists and creatives are often freelancers or self-employed individuals and their endeavors need to be supported beyond the holiday markets or random gifts that we buy throughout the year. Taking time to buy a handmade bar of soap or a jar of body butter instead of something from a box store is often better for you and has a ripple effect that strengthens our local economies.

A thriving creative ecosystem depends on a collective commitment to fostering creativity at all levels of society. When we prioritize the arts and creative small businesses, we not only support artists and creatives but also enrich our culture, economy, and the human experience as a whole.

Contact Info:

• Website: sansarcculture.com
• Instagram: @sansarc_culture