We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah-Anne Wildgoose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah-Anne, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My Atlanta-based business is my second design studio. I ran my first in New England for 20 years. Starting both businesses, I was fortunate to have worked for corporate and mid-sized companies, acquiring a foundation of business knowledge and experience which has kept me grounded and focused. I learned how to tell good business processes from bad. The reason for starting my own business was none of those experiences offered long-term security due
to their circumstances, so my motivation was to gain that. I value my design and business foundation. I knew starting a business was a risk, but it did not feel that way in this case. With self-belief and desire, I visualized where I wanted to be, strategized, launched, engaged…and made it happen!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m all about visual storytelling. I use design to accelerate business visibility. It’s difficult today to be seen in the marketplace with all the visual noise. I work with clients to clarify brand stories, to understand pain points, and past marketing efforts. An interactive brainstorming session puts clients at ease to share information. Next, I begin working ON the business designing digital and print marketing materials to
1) re-energize the brand and
2) deliver clear information
Now my clients are free to use their expertise to work IN their business. A picture is worth 1,000 words, that’s why childhood picture books are such a
success. What sets me apart is my gift of transforming words into graphics. Someone once asked me; how do you know what image to design. I shared my challenge is, picking only two visuals that are in my mind to develop. The end result pictorially reflects and communicates who the client is and the value they offer. They become equipped with the right marketing tools.
One of the most important lessons I learned was when I worked for Kochek, a family run business specializing in firefighting equipment. My boss Greg, a retired decorated firefighter started and ran the business. I quickly learned as the owner he was always right, and his requests needed attention like a blazing fire. Even though his expertise was invention, not visibility listening, adapting, and patience, helped me design marketing material that made Kochek visible, and successful, not a business that would go up in smoke.
I’m most proud of being true to myself. This has taken me to where I am today. Running a business is never easy, but finding and using my passion, plus my visual abilities makes every day invigorating. Thinking creatively and seeing things most people don’t sets my business apart. I take a journey with my clients that divides the challenge into workable pieces. I then make all the pieces fit and work together telling their brand story to gain success.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When my friends come for a visit, they know they will be spending time outdoors. We typically head to one of the Greenway walkways. As a music lover, they know they are in for a treat to see new live music at a place like Newtown Park, or the Sugar Bowl. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens never disappoint whether a special exhibit or the holiday lights. During inclement weather, we head to the Atlanta Aquarium. A recent find is the Painted Horse Winery in Alpharetta because they offer a full family experience including well-behaved pets. They have avariety of animals for the kids, including horseback riding. The music is on the mellow side so that great conversations can transpire. There is an indoor, covered, and outdoor space with plenty of seating. Each time I leave I know I’ll be back. In Atlanta, one never has to look too far to find something great!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, my upbringing made me who I am, so the shoutout goes to Family. My parents were a huge influence.  My father was an engineer, on the drawing board designing equipment.  My mother did fun creative work as a fine artist.  She sculpted clay figurines, sketched, and painted watercolors. The lessons: that accomplishments are built on process and good work comes from objectivity, patience, and point of view.  Being the youngest of six children, I learned from
my siblings: don’t hesitate or opportunities may disappear. As I was finishing high school, and uncertain of my path forward, a visit to my sister at
college proved to be an impactful event that shifted my future. She was studying Industrial Design and showed me her sketches that she transformed into a model of a hand-built bright green travel iron. I was blown away! Little did I know that I would follow in her footsteps. Without them, my family, I would not be where I am today.

Website: https://sawdesignstudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sawdesign_studio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-anne-wildgoose/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SawDesignStudio/

Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saw-design-studio/

Image Credits
Angelina McEwen (my photo)

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.