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

Hi Sarah, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
The most important decision that I made as a new business owner that I believe contributed to my success was focusing on community. In 2016 I joined a group on Facebook called “The Rising Tide Society” that completely reshaped my view of “competition.” I had always thought that when I started a new business I was supposed to compete against other designers to be viewed as the “best” or the “fan favorite,” but after joining this group I began to learn the invaluable wisdom of community > competition. I started to focus on how I could serve my community, and other designers, rather than how I could outshine them. It completely transformed my outlook on business, and I began to see that I could do more, be more, and accomplish more alongside my peers. It has been incredibly fulfilling to lock arms with my community, and to grow with them. This philosophy is, hands down, one of the biggest contributors to the success of Alisabeth Designs.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Alisabeth Designs is a boutique branding and web design studio that services wedding industry professionals. We love celebrating our client experience, which truly sets us apart. From the moment we connect, to the final details of planning your launch celebrations, our team is dedicated to helping our clients by creating a website and brand strategy to help them accomplish their greatest goals. Not only do we contribute beautiful custom designs to our client’s project, but we facilitate multiple points of planning, strategy and optimization to pair alongside their designs and create a sustainable brand experience for their communities that will last a lifetime. It has been a long road of failing-forward, but by embracing those opportunities for growth, prioritizing client feedback, and always evaluating our client experience to find areas we can improve, we have been able to double in business yearly for going on 5 years. The greatest lesson we have learned aside from community > competition is the value of impact over income. Income can be an incredible “side effect” of business, however, when impact is the focus, it leaves a lasting, lifelong impression on one’s community that is more valuable than any $ amount. This has truly propelled our team, community and business forward in a remarkable way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta has SO many incredible spots. Being an Atlanta-native I would have to say one of my favorite spots for a getaway Serenbe farms. This quaint community sits in the Chattahoochee Hills and is filled with the most beautiful architectural masterpieces you’ve ever seen. Not only are the custom homes that line the streets fascinating works of art, but the community itself is based around sustainability and has created such a lovely community centered around it’s organic gardens, the arts and health and wellness. The Hill restaurant on the property has the best lobster bites, bread basket, and the community is wonderful company. You can enjoy the property on a day trip, or stay through the inn (our favorite). Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to dedicate my shout-out to the Rising Tide Society and my executive staff. This organization and it’s philosophies have shaped myself and my business in a way that has been incredibly instrumental to my success. In addition, I would love to celebrate my executive staff members, Lauren, Kayla and Jade. They have been served alongside me for years not only as team members, but as lifelong friends. They continue day in and day out to support one another, myself, and remain dedicated to the success of our team and clients. Not only are they some of the most talented designers around, but they are truly incredible people.

Website: alisabethdesigns.com

Instagram: instagram.com/alisabethdesigns

Facebook: facebook.com/alisabethdesigns

Image Credits
Photography: Photos by Sarah Marie

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