Meet Sara Meinking

We recently connected with Sara Meinking and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sara, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

I grew up with a parent who lived with a disability. This was back in the 70’s-80’s, when the disability acts were just coming into play, businesses weren’t required to provide ADA logistics into place that would make life a little less challenging for those with a disability. Our family was vastly more aware of whether there was an elevator available, or an accessible bathroom, or even how people would treat us if we asked for an accommodation to be made – even the simplest – to make sitting at a restaurant a little easier for my dad. We weren’t asking for the moon, we weren’t asking for preferential treatment, we were just asking for our loved one to be ‘normal’ just like everyone else. Carrying that through my life – of understanding that we all walk different paths – some easier than others – has been a constant reminder that I need to remember we never truly know what someone else has gone through. We need to show empathy and remind ourselves to take a couple of extra moments and truly connect with others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Shortly after Covid, I walked away from a life of healthcare administration, to honestly get my head screwed back on straight. Those Covid years in healthcare were torture, and I needed to refocus, regroup, and find my happy place again. I took some time off and dove back into my creative energies. I helped a friend who was in the process of closing a home decor store, and that’s when it clicked for me. I was reminded of the countless trips my mom and I would take to local art galleries when we visited Florida every summer. She had the keen ability to find these little places that celebrated local artists, small business owners, and those places were our ‘souvineer shops’. We became friends with the owners and I remember how excited I would be to know I’d be seeing them again soon during our next vacation. I still have pieces that we purchased over the years in my home today. My vision/memory became a reality about 18 months ago, when I opened the doors to Sea Dreams by Sara. I wanted a comfortable place for people of all walks of life to be exposed to all types of art. Most galleries are stuffy and cold – that’s not welcoming. Stop in to my shop, you are greeted with a smile, offered a drink, and we even have a couch for those that are along for the ride. Our goal is to let customers tap into their creative side, discover what speaks to them – and what doesn’t, and share with them how the artists do what they do. If someone develops an emotional tie to a piece of artwork, they are more apt to want that piece in their home. You can step into the shop and get lost in all we have to offer, and be surprised at the fact that we have pieces at all price levels – we don’t want to be exclusive to only those that can afford higher end pieces. We pride ourselves in knowing our artists, and we take the time to get to know our customers. Sometimes that catches people off guard because many businesses don’t make that effort, and unfortunately that’s not the norm anymore, so we aren’t sure what to do when we receive that level of service. We are excited to be offering a LAYAWAY PROGRAM- making it easier to find the perfect gift. We offer a WISH LIST PROGRAM – where shoppers can fill out a wish list that we will keep on hand, so when their family/friends need a gift idea, we can help them out! The most exciting news is that our online shopping website will be going live on October 1st!

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?

Three Qualities:
Perseverance – it’s not going to be easy, the hours are going to be long, and there has to been a true commitment
Appreciation – remember to appreciate all of the moments in your journey, and the people that helped you along the way.
Kindness – it goes along way, people will remember, and they will want to support that kindness

I think it’s important to set realistic goals, and give yourself grace as you work towards those goals. You have to go into any venture realistically – financially and from an overall business stance. Stay focused on your customer. There will be many “opportunities” to help your business along the way – remember those don’t just fall in your lap, so be cautious of the help along the way as it presents itself. Lastly, vet the people you choose to assist you. Talk with other business owners and get their feedback – it can save a lot of headaches.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

The ideal client for Sea Dreams by Sara is anyone looking for a gift, looking for art for their home, or new home decor. Nothing makes us happier than when a customer comes into the shop on their way to an event, they need a gift, and they immediately say, “I know I can find something here”. We are that one stop they trusted to have what they needed. We have over 50 local artists in house. We have price points starting at $5 and on up. We want to have the opportunity to provide client gifts for real estate agents, lenders, and teachers. We can provide registries for weddings, decor for weddings, and gifts for wedding parties. We give back to our community by offering free fundraiser space. Our artists, along with the shop, donate portions of sales for charities. We host private shopping events for groups that want just a little extra fun – complete with beverages and apps! On occasion our artists provide classes for customers to get creative as well. We want our customers to walk in, take a deep breath, forget about the world outside our doors, and appreciate art!

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