A Sparky Interview with Sarah Bray

“Subscribe for yummies.”

That was my introduction to S.Joy Studios and Sarah Bray. That’s what it says on her web site over a little park bench graphic that you click on to get Sarah’s e-mail updates.

How could I not sign up for the promise of yummies?

Now I can attest that the updates have indeed been yummy. Sarah has a brevity I admire and her e-mails actually contain information I can use.

If I was only seeing some cute and fun stuff, it wouldn’t be worth sharing with you here. I could do that on Twitter (and I have). But it’s more than just cute fun. If you’re in a creative business, Sarah is someone to watch.

I want to highlight S.Joy Studios as a great creative biz to model because Sarah does some experimenting by way of what she offers to help her people.

A while back, I asked about ideas of how creatives could flip the usual rate model (rather than the trading-hours-for-cash thing). I wanted to hear about new creative business models and see them in action. I didn’t get much of a response there, so I decided to go hunting. Enter Sarah.

Sarah offers a package called LiteSites. I’ll let her explain (see below), but this is the kind of thing that more creative businesses need to be doing.

The practices of offering hourly rates and trading time for money are quickly becoming archaic (if they’re not already). Simply being a production monkey has its place (design intern) but that doesn’t really help people get what they need.

People need holistic solutions created for them and small creative businesses are in an excellent position to deliver those solutions. We’re flexible. We’re human. We can adapt quickly to the latest needs, as well as shape those needs by being who we are, offering help in a way that’s relevant to the world as it exists, not the paradigm that was.

Okay. I’m soapboxing a bit. The real reason you’re here is to read about Sarah. Here you go.

Le Interview

Hi, Sarah, thanks for being here. Please introduce yourself to our studio audience.

Hey David…hey everybody. I’m a web designer of 7 years, and I’ve been freelancing for the past three. I’m sort of opinionated. And wacky. And I’m also a not-exactly-secret admirer of Sparky here. :)

Who is your ideal client?

I like working with people who are teachable. People who understand that the way they’ve been doing things is going to have to change if they want to really rock their stuff. Startups get me on fire, and I love working with people who are new to the whole “doing most of your work online” thing.

Tell me about your LiteSites package. How and why did you come up with that?

My goal from day one has been to approach my work as art. I have a unique design sense, and LiteSites allow me to do whatever the heck I want. And then see if it sells later. It also gives people an opportunity to work with me at a more affordable price.

It’s like comparing a commissioned piece of art to an original, non-commissioned piece. It’s not quite as pricey, but it’s super high quality (and, in this case, still customized).

Please share your own personal recipe for PB & J.

I like PB and apple butter on really fresh, cheap white bread. With pita chips and hummus on the side. :)

What makes you freak out?

Everything, nearly. I am naturally an anxious person, which really sucks considering that I’m completely self-employed and am the sole source of income for my family of four.

What keeps you centered?

My husband John, who is about as “non-freak-out” as they come. Also, I’m pretty religious, which not a lot of people know. Not in the “everybody’s going to hell” kind of way, but in the “wow, I am so baffled at the enormity of it all” way. Knowing that I’m actually a very small piece of this planet makes me feel less terrified.

If you were stuck in the Minot, North Dakota airport for a whole day because your flight was cancelled, which Muppet would you most want in the waiting area with you? Why?

Geez, are you kidding me? Animal rocks. Banging on drums and screaming at the top of my lungs would be the perfect antidote to missing a flight (which, by the way, also freaks me out…)

Visit Sarah

She has really interesting things to say on her site, which you know in the blogosphere is like gold. I encourage you to read her stuff. If you’re like me, you won’t be skimming, you’ll actually be reading.

Thanks, Sarah.

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