Interview with Sarah from 25 Sweetpeas | Sunshine Sessions
Hi, Polished People! I hope you're having a lovely weekend. Today on Sunshine Sessions, we're chatting with creative YouTuber and illustrator, Sarah, from 25 Sweetpeas. Let's get started!
Image: @25sweetpeas
Good morning, Sarah! I’m so happy to have you here on our digital talk show. Here’s a virtual armchair and a virtual mug. Let’s get started with some biz questions.When did you first dream up your YouTube channel/illustration business?
It all really started with creating an Instagram in 2012! I loved seeing everyone's nail art and my mom was like, “You can do that!” So I started too! It wasn’t until 2015 that I decided, "Yep, this needs to be something." I started a blog, a Youtube, and really started to work on creating 25 Sweetpeas into more than just an Instagram. Skip ahead to 2018 and I decided that I wanted to share more than just nails. I slowly but surely started to add in more art, then in 2019, I got to upgrade my tools/equipment thanks to 25 Sweetpeas. That really accelerated my ability to do more art, and apply it to things, like my blog and within my videos.
What a journey! What inspired you to start this business?
That’s a good question! I don’t feel as if it ever started with an intent of being a business. However, I realized this is something I love doing and want to continue doing. So it’s been what I’ve been building while I've been in college, and hope to continue beyond! The idea of doing what I love every day just inspires me to keep going, as well as makes me determined to make it work!
So inspiring. What’s the story behind the name of your brand?
It's honestly such a weird and disjointed/unrelated story! It was made up for my Instagram 2012 on a whim, with no real thought put into it. At that point, I had no clue it would ever be the names of so many other things, and become the start of a business/brand! So basically, the "25" comes from the date of a concert I went to that was so fun! I also remember the nail polish combo I was wearing at the time which is so odd! (It was China Glaze "Pool Party" + OPI "Rainbow Connection.") Then the "Sweetpeas" was/is the nickname my mom has always used for me!
That's so cute! Hearing how brand names are born is always so interesting. So, what’s your favorite video/illustration you’ve ever created?
Ooo, that's so hard! I really don’t know. Video-wise, I am pretty happy with the "Happy Nail Art Series" I did this past summer. I had a lot of fun with the nails and the animation for the video. Yet, at the same time, I am currently editing a video for the start of a new series, which I guess you will have seen now (as it should be posting on October 1st) that I am really happy with.
Now Illustration! Ekk! I don’t know! Anytime you start something new it’s like, “Ooo, this is my favorite thing I’ve ever done." Then the next week you do something else and that’s the fave! So right now, I am working on a full collection and it's very much me, and it's probably my favorite. There is one piece that has the names of all of my favorite beaches and it's probably my fave right now!
So cool! What are your favorite things about your brand?
Well, right now, I would say it’s the mix. In 2020, I feel as if I have finally found a way to do it all; meaning, I am mixing interests! I now post nail art, illustration, and real life. Plus, I'm finding a way to use my colors and beach-y approach for every season, which I LOVE! In years past I would just go along with traditional seasonal colors, and themes, but really, that's not me. By doing that, it often put me into a creative rut, but this year I’ve taken a different approach and I love it!
Image: @25sweetpeas
That's awesome. Have you always been in the nails/beauty or illustration industry?
I would say so--well, at least to the nails! I really got into that via Instagram in high school and have continued into college. Illustration, however, I have been doing for the longest, kind of. I’ve always been into art and doing art-related things, [even though] I did get away from it for a long time. However, in 2018/2019, I was discovering what I can do with art + technology and that’s sort of the timeline I attribute to [my entering] the illustration world. On most days, I feel as if its just starting!
That's so interesting. So, what was the biggest milestone in your entrepreneurship journey?
Probably the fact that I have been doing this for five years now--the blog and Youtube, that is! Plus, I think [about how] back then I never would have thought I'd be doing art now that’s not just on nails, let alone considering an online shop!
That is a fab accomplishment! Now, let's move on to some more personal questions. What’s your favorite color to wear on your nails?
Lately, it’s been white! Not sure why, but I just love white nail polish on my nails while I'm doing things. However, if we're talking toes, I am pretty much always wearing a neon pink/neon coral-y pink.
Good choices! What is your favorite nail art trend right now?
Abstract! That is popular right now right!? I, for the longest time, wouldn’t do abstract nails--I have no clue why--but ah, I LOVE them!
Abstract is so pretty, I agree. So, what is your favorite thing to do as a YouTuber?
I love the community on Youtube! It’s so different from other online platforms; it actually still feels like there's a community there, so I love chatting with everyone in the comments. Also, I love creating videos! Swatch videos are probably the most work, but I love them because they are so helpful. And dupe videos! However, in October I'm trying some new things, and I couldn’t be more excited! Ooo, and Nailmas is coming up! I love that time on Youtube and it's going to be different this year!
Lots of fun things! Nailmas is always great; I've done it for two years now and I hope to do again this year. So now, if you had to choose one nail polish or illustration to be stranded on an island with, what would it be?
Ahhh, I haven’t the slightest idea! If I pick an illustration and it lives on my iPad, does that mean I’ll have my iPad?! I mean, I suppose it won’t work for long but?! LOL!
That's a good idea! And what is your favorite thing about being an entrepreneur?
The idea of building something that's 100% mine and it all being because of my persistence is kind of amazing.
Absolutely! So, what advice would you give to someone who’s interested in starting a YouTube channel or being an illustrator?
Start! I feel like research is great, and you should do some, but I often fear so many get stuck in the research phase! Or we think we can’t start doing anything until we have the top-of-the-line equipment. I don’t agree with that approach. Start with what you have! It will help you get to where you want to be and maybe even get you to that fancier equipment sooner! Plus, you will be learning as you go! :) I feel like so much of what I now know, I know from learning and doing rather than something I read in a book, ya know?
That's great advice! Thank you for visiting us at Sunshine Sessions, Sarah!
This has been so much fun! Thanks so much for having me, Cali!
You're so welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Image: @25sweetpeas
This was such a great interview! I really enjoy chatting with all of you fabulous creators. I started doing Nailmas because of Sarah, so chatting with her today was so great! I hope you enjoyed hearing her story!
Have a polished rest of your day,