Meet Sarah Thomson of Scottsdale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Thomson

Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I learned to sew long ago but my interest in it was renewed when I purchased my own sewing machine during the pandemic with the intentions to make a large quilt. After the pandemic was quieting down, my sewing machine sat collecting dust (I almost even sold it!) but I started searching for a solution to a readers age old problem – having your books damaged when you take them out of the house. I wasn’t satisfied with what I found on the market so I decided to make my own! Since then my reading and my love for my two dogs, Lila and Archibald, inspired me to create products that are both useful and original to share with others. I have yet to make a big quilt but instead started my small business of book sleeves, bookmarks, over the collar pet bandanas and other functional accessories.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like most things it has its ups and downs. I was fortunate that I had created a “bookstagram” account during the pandemic and had easy access to my desired customer base from the start. The online book community can be so supportive & really helped things take off. But having quick access, doesn’t make it a bump free road. While I love sewing and being creative, it can be difficult to wear every hat for the business and even had to have wrist surgery after my first year of business due to tendonitis from sewing. It was difficult to bounce back from after having to close up for a few months but I am so glad I did not throw in the towel.

Like many, I was working a full 40+ hour a week job on top of my business and when life got busy, my business fell on the back burner. I have long dreamed of working for myself & earlier this year, I was unfortunately given the news my position at my full time job was being eliminated. They offered my another role but I knew my heart was elsewhere and I chose to pursue my business full time. This has made the last few months fly by as I focus on scaling, making new products & upping my social media game.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Previously to being fully self employed, I worked as a Sales Enablement Manager aka a sales trainer at a corporate company. I had worked in sales and retail going on 15+ years & through that have learned so many applicable skills that I am now able to focus on my business. For example, budgeting, selling tactics, data analytics, & just generally interacting with customers. My main craft it sewing, but I also love to paint with watercolors. One of my most prized pieces my bookmarks since most of them are original watercolors done by me, replicated to be on bookmarks. It makes it so much more special to me when I sell one of those, knowing that someone saw my artwork & wanted to buy it for themselves!

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I obviously love to read books but being honest, I mostly read fiction. In the nonfiction genre, I did enjoy The Multi-Hyphen Life by Emma Gannon that was recommended by a fellow entrepreneur. It helped my realize that you can define your own success and don’t always need to fit in a box.

Pricing:

• Book sleeves range from $18-25
• Bookmarks start at $4
• Pet Bandanas are all $10, regardless of size
• Keychains are $10

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pagesandpawsco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pagesandpawsco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pagesandpawsco/

Image Credits
Headshot by Madison Michelle Photography