Meet Sorcha Sayers | Brand & Web Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sorcha Sayers and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sorcha, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking a risk in your career is great, and a sure way to grow, but I really think it’s about timing. Sometimes you can’t afford to take the risk and you get a little bit stuck. I think the perseverance of getting “un-stuck” and wiggling into a free enough space to take the next leap is the real courage. I’ve taken some really big risks throughout my career, moving to new cities, taking on projects I didn’t know how to do, and working for myself. Some of these gambles truly didn’t pay off, but so many of them did, and led me to where I am today. I think to get anywhere worth going you have to be willing to fail. I used to look at business owners I admired and just think “wow what a dream life they’re so lucky,” and then reality just kicked in and I realized anyone who’s achieved any level of success like that has first climbed failure mountain. They took the risks, they stumbled here and there, but they kept going.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run a boutique brand and web design studio called Blue Fern Creative. We work with small businesses to refine their aesthetic and messaging across all of their customer journey. Beyond the visual work, I focus on the “why.” It’s not enough these days to have a “pretty” brand with no strategy or reasoning. I work with a lot of solo-preneurs who are wearing all of the hats, have found some success, but hit a wall when they have to give an elevator speech on what they do. Helping business owners see the big picture of what makes them unique is my super power, and one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

I started as an in-house designer designing handbags for Claire’s and Icing brands. The work was really fun, truly creative, and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to start off there. Through that experience and about 10 years working in-house climbing various ladders, I discovered a few fundamental truths about myself. I learned that I truly prefer small teams, small businesses, and a slower pace. I think hustle culture tricked us all into thinking that success looked like big offices, big deadlines, and big paychecks. Once I got to that level of success I looked around and realized it was the opposite of what I wanted. It wasn’t easy, but I essentially walked away from everything I’d built and started over. I was living in San Francisco and decided it was naturally the right time to quit my job and become an artist. I set out to become a “surface pattern designer,” which is essentially an artist making their work available for commercial use through licensing. I did a few tradeshows and discovered the deep dark secret that beyond making ART, that industry is about being a people person, on a very large and extroverted scale. I spent a ton of money that year trying to carve my space in that niche, and ultimately it was a failure. My work sold and I gained a bit of traction, but my dream of what I thought that industry would be was proven truly wrong, and that realization really gutted me and made me second guess all of my choices up to it.

After I buried my dream of what I thought I wanted, I floated around a bit professionally, freelance design here and there. I was lucky enough to get a few big projects that were the perfect learning opportunity to see what I really enjoyed (and what I hated… professionally.) I learned that making physical products (industrial design, which is what my degree is in) was not satisfying anymore, and honestly felt a bit yucky. Visiting the factories and seeing my work replicated by the thousands was at first very exciting, and over the years became almost embarrassing. As someone who values craftsmanship and sustainability, my career was at odds with my heart, and it was eating me up.

So I pivoted, I took what I loved about my work and tossed the rest aside. I realized my unique gift was honing in on aesthetics and being a good listener and story teller. Now my work is solely that, and I get to collaborate with the COOLEST people. I learn why the started their business, we chat over their struggles and their dreams, and we dig in to find the little nuggets of truth of why their brand is SPECIAL. From there we create a brand that tells that story, and I get to watch them bloom with confidence. That work is truly rewarding, and something I’m proud to hang my hat on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m relatively new, so I have so many stones left unturned, but I’ve found a few places I absolutely love!

For nature I really love Beaman Park, Friday’s by the River at Shelby Bottoms, and long walks at Ravenwood park. A few times a year I like to visit Cheekwood and spend a long lazy day there pretending I live there. Another one of my favorite things to do on a sunny day is visit a water-front restaurant. I really love Moby Dicky’s,

For cozy nights out I love Phat Bites for it’s crazy good food, super chill atmosphere, and it’s simplicity. It’s such a good spot to just chill out a bit. Turk’s Lounge upstairs of McNamara’s is another super chill hidden gem that’s a go-to for low-stress cozy nights. I’d take any visitor to few favorite East Nashville spots too, I love the swings outside at Rosemary Beauty Queen, and of course all of the cute little shops nearby. I’d stop by Urban Cowboy for a few beautiful drinks and a visit to their little garden patio area. I might visit 5th and Taylor for a fancy night out and pop into Green Hour afterward. A think a perfect day for a visitor is walking around East, grabbing bites and drinks here and there and checking out all the vintage shops and some live music.

For my creative friends I would definitely take them to Turnip Green Creative Reuse and to The Clay Lady Campus. Two of my most treasured spots! For live music I’d browse Nashville Scene to peep what’s playing that night and then just wing it! Honestly there’s so much to do here the list is never ending, and that’s magical.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ashley Rector, of Quimby Digital played a big part in my journey of where I am professionally. We started collaborating years ago, when we both had a vision and were on the edge of taking new risks. Having someone to learn and grow along side of was really special, and valuable in indescribable ways.

Website: https://www.blueferncreative.com

Image Credits
Kelsey Maggart Photography