Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Brown
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a Kansas City native, I grew up in a family full of entrepreneurs. Surrounded by examples of what it takes to create, lead, inspire, and invest, I always knew my calling would be to walk in their footsteps. This dream of becoming my own boss and creating something I would be proud of followed me through life. I worked my way through retail and retail management throughout high school and college. As I made my way through college, I decided to move within the field of mental health counseling and majored in sociology. This professional focus lead me to obtaining my master’s degree, getting licensed as a professional counselor, and opening my own private practice in Westwood, KS. I created and launched my own personal brand as a counselor, designed and outfitted my own practice space, and saw success in my professional life as a counselor.
As a typical creative, we can’t sit still for long. I felt empty when it came to creative endeavors and ultimately found myself bored and stuck professionally in creating things and experiences other than outside of my routine as a counselor. In the fall of 2021, I was brainstorming an idea that brought excitement and a world full of creativity back at my fingertips. I wanted to start my own boutique/specialized store – I wanted to create what I was yearning for in Kansas City! My store would focus on elevated tabletop and home decor items. In addition, my store will have special curated collections of individually picked international brands and vintage items to bring life, color, and texture back to your homes and lifestyles. This dream came to life in January 2022 when I officially launched my new company, exclusively online at the time, Blair and Blythe!
One year into my side-hustle creative endeavor of Blair and Blythe, it began to grow immensely. A long story, short, I was encouraged by my husband to ‘pick a lane’ and that I would be supported every step of the way when I would dive in. I chose to dive in head-first into my creative company and store, Blair and Blythe. Therefore, in summer of 2023 we began to look for a brick-and-mortar location to invest in and bring to life the convivial art of hosting and entertaining in a beautiful setting for all of the Kansas City metro area! We closed on our future home/headquarters in Westwood in August 2023 and are about 75% done with a full remodel project on the space. At almost 7,000 sq. ft. the building will provide a large and luxurious experience from start to finish for anyone walking through my doors looking for their next table setting, furniture, or home decor piece!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge on this journey has been the pivot. Pivoting from one field into an entirely different field (and an intimidating one, to say the least) has been the hardest thing to mentally overcome. I have learned to embrace the change – embrace and be the pivot and own your new direction. You are in charge of your life and where you invest your skills. Although change is always scary, taking the leap and trusting the process (with good old-fashioned sweat investment) will move you closer and closer to your goal every day.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Blair and Blythe?
As the owner, I have always been drawn to design and fashion with an eye particularly on the combination of texture, traditionalism, and trends to compliment premier living. Blair and Blythe is making accessible elevated decor and design for an idealistic home and tabletop suitable to every season and occasion.
Blair and Blythe marries the timeless art of convivial hosting with Midwest flair. I spend generous time and careful consideration on curating trend capsule pieces with inspiring brands that make a backdrop of classic lines and palettes pop with the color of self expression and joy. Brands exclusive to Europe and Australia, as well as vintage items found right here in America, I can guarantee you will find items not able to be found elsewhere in town. As one of Kansas City’s only retailer offering luxury tableware lines, Blair and Blythe provides experiences for each gathering around your table that will last for generations!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
If you ask me, risk taking is a guaranteed experience within entrepreneurship. You are already stepping out of society’s baseline and your comfort zone by starting a business to offer your services or goods/products for others. You are not doing it right without risks being taken and risks being felt. I encourage all entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs to make sure to feel the risk, take the interview, create new things, and step OUTSIDE the normal.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blairandblythe.com
- Instagram: @shop_blairandblythe
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shopblairandblythe
