Why Choose Sarah Shell Designs?...why me?

Sarah Shell Designs is a culmination of 50 years of experience – going to the beach, going to art school, learning to sew and paint and how to start a small business. I have always loved the beach. I’ve been coming to the beach even before I was born. I was in my mom’s belly when they first came to the beach and I was hooked! I grew up going to Long Beach Island (LBI) in New Jersey. I have so many special memories there. Going swimming in the ocean, going crabbing with my dad, and as I got older hanging out with my friends at the beach.

I grew up sewing with my mom and making doll house furniture with my dad. When I was in high school I was voted my artistic my senior year. I would design and sew my own clothes and loved doing it! Sewing, painting, drawing – all my passions combined into one when I went to Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). I studied fashion design, graphic design, drawing and painting among others. RISD was an intense immersion into art and design and it is where I fell in love with color, patterns, and texture.   

I always had a love of art and business. After I went to art school I worked as a graphic designer for a while in New York City. I eventually moved to Washington, DC where I helped start a small company which I supported with my graphic designs skills. The business side was still pulling me and so I eventually went to the University of Maryland and got a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). From there I went to work for global consulting firms – working with large and small businesses alike. During this time, I met my husband, who was in the military. We married and got sent to Hawaii with the military! Well, you can imagine how happy this girl was! It was such a wonderful experience.  During this time our family grew with the addition of our son. I got to paint while I was there and also give back to Hawaii by volunteering at the small business center in Hawaii – helping small businesses get started.

It wasn't long before I realized it was time to go into business for myself, based on my own creations and what inspired me.

A big part of what motivates me is my desire to help others and learn together on this journey. I’m learning and growing in so many ways as a result of this journey. Have you ever really wanted to do something but not sure where to start? Or you kind of know where to start but there is something – can’t quite define – that voice inside your head – that says that’s not who you are. That would mean making a lot less money? What will people think? That was me. For many years, I would tiptoe close to something and know what the next step was but not take it. Thinking to myself: Why should I do this? And I would over think it. 

I always knew I wanted to start a business and that it had to be something creative – something that would bring my love of art and the beach together. It is an innate desire…something inside of me that I knew if I didn’t honor it – I would be forever disappointed. Just like many successful entrepreneurs - I had to overcome many fears and negative self talk. I’ve come to realize that when we want to achieve something in life, we are successful because, no matter what happened the day before, we keep trying again the next day. Every step taken forward is an opportunity to learn something new! I am having so much fun on this journey and want to share it with others.

I hope my beach inspired art and designs can inspire and bring joy to someone to feel like their home is a reflection of their love of the beach…then I will know I have been successful!