We recently connected with Jackie Dahm and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Honestly, I didn’t so much find my purpose as I started noticing it. I felt it in the things that lit me up and in the moments that felt both exciting and aligned.
For a long time, I thought purpose was this big, clear thing you had to chase down – like this one defining calling you just wake up and know. But for me, it’s been more like following breadcrumbs. I kept paying attention to what felt meaningful, what came naturally, and what left me feeling energized instead of drained. Over time, those small pieces started to form a path.
Creativity was always part of it, but what really clicked was realizing that what I love most isn’t just making things look beautiful – it’s helping people feel seen. I get to take someone’s vision, their heart, their story, and reflect it back in a way that reminds them who they are. That’s where the purpose lives for me.
It’s definitely not something I discovered once and for all – it’s something I seem to keep uncovering, layer by layer, as I grow. And that’s the beauty of it… purpose evolves right alongside you.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Through Sparrow & Spruce, I design brands and websites that honor the story behind the business. I love helping heart-led entrepreneurs show up in ways that feel authentic and true to who they are. I work mostly with coaches, wellness entrepreneurs, and creatives who are ready to bring their next chapter to life – whether they’re just beginning or evolving into something new. My role is to help them connect (or reconnect) with who they are and translate that into design that feels as good as it looks.
What I love most is that it’s never just about visuals. The process becomes a mirror – a space to pause, reflect, and realign. We explore their story, their energy, and what they’re becoming. And that moment when a client looks at their finished brand or website and says, “This finally feels like me,” – that’s the magic that keeps me doing this work.
Lately, I’ve been expanding in exciting new ways. I’m creating customizable Showit website templates, Canva brands, and visual assets for entrepreneurs who want to bring more creativity and freedom into their own hands. My template shop has been a dream in the making, and it’s finally coming to life.
At its heart, Sparrow & Spruce is a creative space where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to share their work in a way that feels aligned with who they are.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say the three things that have shaped my journey most are curiosity, intuition, and patience.
Curiosity has been my fuel from the beginning. I’ve always been the kind of person who loves to figure things out, whether that meant diving into a new design program, studying strategy, or experimenting until something clicked. That willingness to explore and keep learning has opened more doors than any single plan could have. My advice for anyone starting out is to stay curious. Follow what excites you and let it lead you somewhere new.
Intuition has probably been my greatest guide. There’s so much noise out there about how to do things “the right way,” but every time I’ve trusted my gut—whether in design, business, or life – it’s led me somewhere that felt right, even if it didn’t look traditional.
And then there’s patience. Building something meaningful takes time. I had to learn that slow, steady growth is still growth. Some seasons are for planting, and others are for blooming.
If I could offer any advice, it would be to stay open, stay grounded, and give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. The most sustainable success usually comes from building with intention.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
When I start to feel overwhelmed, my first instinct is usually to slow down and get quiet. I’ve learned that pushing harder rarely helps; it only makes me spin my wheels faster. So instead, I’ll step away from my screen, go for a walk, or do something that reconnects me to real life — sunlight, trees, fresh air. Nature has a way of putting everything back into perspective.
Sometimes overwhelm is just my reminder that I’ve been thinking too much instead of feeling. When that happens, I pause, take a breath, and remind myself that creativity can’t be forced; it flows best when I stop trying to control it.
I also try to check in with what’s actually behind the feeling. Am I overcommitted? Am I trying to control too much? Most of the time, overwhelm shows up when I’ve drifted away from the slower, more intentional pace that works best for me.
Pause when you need to. The world will wait. The best ideas have a way of finding you when you’re still enough to listen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sparrowandspruce.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparrowandspruce/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparrowandsprucedesigns
Image Credits
Kasey Kathleen Photography, Everwild Photography
