Since returning to Australia in 2007 after living in London, Canberra-based Sarah Power has wanted to start her own business in a creative industry. She couldn't find vintage-inspired bedlinen so she set out to create her own. After much research and planning, she has launched Oh Mabel. It is a bedlinen range that uses organic cotton and is handprinted made in India. The pinwheel design in Eloise and Blush is now available in single size - suitable for girls' rooms.
Which five words best describe you? Dreamer, a do-er, unpredictable, loyal, calm, chaotic.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? Prior to starting my own business I worked within a non-related field that had me doing the 9-5 in an office environment. I always knew that there was something else out there for me and after living overseas and coming back to Australia in 2007 I became inspired by the people who were creating handmade businesses and the design blogs that showcased them. I spent a couple of years studying and researching and eventually got to a position where all I had left to do was to get my courage up and launch a brand for myself. I have just recently left my cubicle job, partly due to having a baby and mainly to take the opportunity to back myself and my business.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? To just make it happen. Being a dreamer I was always waiting for my dreams to come true, however, I came to the realisation that dreaming is all good and well, but if you don’t take steps to make that dream happen, it never will! Dream it then do it, I say!
What’s your proudest career achievement? Receiving my first shipment of boxes of Oh Mabel and then receiving the amazing and positive feedback from customers, media and bloggers once the website was launched. I was proud that I was able to pull my biggest idea off and that it matched other people's sensory delights as well!
What’s been your best decision? Surrounding myself with people who love and support me, to cheer and celebrate with me, and are genuinely happy for me as I go through this crazy self-made business and self-critical design hoopla!
Who inspires you? Anyone who makes things happen, especially people who make things happen for the wellbeing of other people. For example Zoe Lamont and the team from the 10 Thousand Girl Campaign. These girls are passionate about getting women to identify their life dreams and to arm them with the belief and knowledge that they can achieve life goals and how to be financially independent to do so. They also promote micro-financing and working with rural areas to inspire women to learn and believe in themselves. I attended one of their workshops two years ago. I owe much of what I have achieved to Zoe and the 10 Thousand Girl Campaign.
What are you passionate about? Learning. I am very passionate about people being able to achieve what they think is out of their league by constantly putting themselves in a position of learning and discovery. And living a life that is honest, kind and without judgment and not taking yourself too seriously. Oh and adventure! And sustainable and beautiful products... and good food... and trying to find the best product for curly hair... and customer service... I’m known for being passionate!
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Anyone who has competed on Masterchef – I don’t understand how anyone can put a creative meal together so quickly – I need that skill!
What dream do you still want to fulfil? My first baby is due any day now, so my dreams are very much focused on being a happy and loving mum. As for Mabel, I am looking forward to seeing her grow and developing her personality further. I want her to stay true to the values that were important when we started and branch into new opportunities, maybe outside of the bedroom?
What are you reading? With a bit of life change on the way with the upcoming addition to our family, I am dipping into bits and pieces of various baby books. However, my attention keeps drifting to some easy story spinning so I have a pile of Dick Francis books next to the bath which I’m working through – never heard of Dick Francis novels? Crime fiction at its best, based in the world of the English horse racing industry – it’s my version of Mills & Boon!
images courtesy of oh mabel and dando photography
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