Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Sartain.
Hi Cindy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Overland Park, Kansas, and after graduating from the University of Kansas, I started my career in advertising before moving into creative design work with Hallmark Cards. When my family moved to Ohio, I balanced life with three young kids at home and began freelancing in the creative space. A friend who owned a local scrapbook store saw my work and suggested I design stamps, and that’s where Dare 2B Artzy began in my basement in 2012.
What started as a creative side hustle quickly became a full-time passion. In 2019, we returned to Overland Park and opened my own brick-and-mortar, complete with a retail store in front and my warehouse in the back. Today, I design 95% of my product, from clear stamps and coordinating dies to original scrapbook paper, which is printed right here in North Kansas City so I can be present for the press checks. I sell directly to customers in the shop and online, and I also wholesale to mom-and-pop scrapbook stores across the country. My journey has truly been about following creativity, community, and connection one card and one design at a time.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a rewarding one. I started Dare 2B Artzy while I had three young kids at home, and my freelance advertising work helped fund the business so I could start small and grow over time. I was also lucky to have a friend in the scrapbook industry with a brick-and-mortar store who helped guide me and shared what she’d learned.
Freelancing is pretty simple, you do the job, maybe make a revision, get paid, and move on. Running a product-based business was a whole new world. I had to learn manufacturing, packaging, UPC codes, shipping (including international shipping), and how to balance direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales. Later, moving the business back to Kansas and opening a brick-and-mortar store with a warehouse added another layer of challenge. As a creative, the business side doesn’t always come naturally, but I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m still learning.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design the majority of the products at Dare 2B Artzy, including clear stamps, coordinating dies, and scrapbook paper. My style is pretty broad, I love creating designs that feel fresh, fun, and versatile, so there’s something for a wide range of crafters. One thing that really sets my work apart is that I design full collections, where the stamps, papers, and dies all work together. Many of the dies are designed to cut images from both the stamped designs and the scrapbook paper, which makes creating easier and more cohesive for customers.
I’m especially proud of the community we’ve built. Having a brick-and-mortar store allows me to connect directly with customers, hear their ideas, and see how they use the products. I also go live every Monday night on YouTube, which is something I never imagined doing since public speaking used to be one of my biggest fears. Stepping outside my comfort zone and watching that live community grow has been incredibly rewarding and is one of the things I’m most proud of.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Kansas City has always been home for me, and the support of this community has played a huge role in my journey. I’d encourage anyone with a creative idea or small business dream to start where you are and lean into the resources and people around you. Dare 2B Artzy began in my basement and grew one step at a time, thanks to encouragement, local connections, and a community that truly values creativity. KC has a special way of showing up for its makers, and I’m grateful to be part of that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dare2bartzy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dare2bartzy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dare2BArtzy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dare2BArtzy
