Life and Work with Sarah Tovet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Tovet.

Sarah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always had a desire to be creative, use my hands, and stubbornly learn to do as much as I could on my own. As early as age 5 or 6, I would paint greeting cards for family birthdays and holidays, marking them on the back with my own signature greeting card logo.

While my professional path has taken me in several different directions, I was craving an opportunity run with something I had more passion in. Several years ago, I was taught how to use different wood-working tools and I was hooked! I loved being able to mindlessly paint, then switch gears and focus to use the saw, sander and drill.

Living and working on Cape Cod also provides the inspiration and support to grow a business. The landscape and history encourages a certain quality and relaxed feel. The people within the community are incredibly supportive and appreciate the efforts that go into making a handmade product locally.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I started Seasouled while working at another full-time job so time management is definitely my biggest challenge. My schedule only offered small pockets of time, so knowing how much work I had to get done by a certain deadline, was (and still can be) overwhelming. I have to be diligent about prioritizing orders and dedicating a certain amount of time to correspondence, planning for events, social media posts, etc.

I was never in the habit of planning out my day, which was also a big adjustment. I realize now, if I stick to a general outline and create daily goals, I get so much more accomplished during working hours. Plus it feels great to check things off the list!

I’m also naturally stubborn, so learning how to ask for help, continues to be challenging for me. I have the most supportive family, group of friends, and network of people around me, but it takes a lot for me to accept the help offered. I’ll waste time struggling to get things done on my own, and realize how much more efficient I can be in other areas, if I allowed someone else to jump in and lend a hand.

Please tell us about Seasouled.
The signs I create are wooden, they’re hand-painted and lettered, featuring custom or common phrases, family names or town names. I paint each sign myself then cut to size, sand and distress the edges, then varnish for indoor or outdoor use. The pine wood I use is purchased locally and acquired from an Eco-responsible and sustainable source.

Most signs are used as interior decor and make great gifts for those wanting to take a piece of Cape Cod home with them. They’re light, making them easy to pack for the trip home or ship for a special occasion.

What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Start asking questions! I was amazed at how many people around me had the knowledge I was seeking or could point me in the right direction. You don’t realize the experiences other people have had until you start to inquire. Maybe someone has the financial understanding of what you’re going through, or could offer a good book or website. Someone might have graphic design or marketing skills you could utilize. There’s a lot of support available when you look for it!

Pricing:

• Range from $20-42
• Custom orders start at $30

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seasouled.com
• Phone: 774-521-9022
• Email: seasouled@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/seasouled
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/seasouled

Image Credit:
Jen Villa, Sarah Tovet

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