Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Nagel.
Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Rep Collective got its start from little drawings done to kill time during my lunch break. From there it evolved into small pieces of art made to express myself and my interests in ways that weren’t always so obvious – I don’t *always* want a face or logo plastered on my shirt. It grew from my lunch break to my five to nine after the nine to five, but its been a huge creative and learning journey all the same.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think the road is ever smooth for any small business owner. Everything has been built from scratch – learning taxes, budgeting, copyright laws, new software and skills – as soon as you feel like you get one thing in your grasp another pops up. I think my biggest challenge has been finding my place in a heavily saturated market. There is a million and one creators out there that produce pieces akin to mine – they’re gorgeous, quality designs made by incredible people – placing myself among them and learning to admire rather than compare has been a test of my self confidence. On the flip side, they’re not competition, they’re simply always inspiring me to put forth my best work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My first true artistic love was painting. It blossomed in high school and has lingered since. But with painting comes space and time and money that I didn’t always have so that itch was channeled into digital art. Looking back at where I started compared to now – yikes – that growth is so hard to see but something I’m so incredibly proud of knowing I achieved it. My art is ever-evolving, and not all of it gets transferred to designs i sell, but I make my designs first and foremost for myself, then to share. If I wouldn’t wear it, I wouldn’t be proud if anyone else did and said it was from Rep Collective. I think that’s what sets me apart from others – I hope so at least – that there’s a sense of integrity behind what I do.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The second you open any type of business, you don’t get to be shy anymore. I had to learn that the hard way. Dive into social media, interact with your community, and put yourself out there. That vulnerability and openness can pave the way for so many unique opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: shoprepcollective.com (valid beginning 1/1/25)
- Instagram: instagram.com/rep_collective
- Other: tiktok.com/@rep_collective
