We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sara Rico. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Sara, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
There is so much outside of work recently that brings me joy! I recently married the most amazing man, and became stepmom to 4 awesome kids! So my busy little life got even busier over the past year, and I have been loving every second of it. My heart is full!
Additionally, I have a historic Columbus home that I have spent 2 years renovating, and my home brings me so much joy! It is a pure representation of me and my soul, and I have a complete sense of belonging to my home!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Sara, and I opened Wilde Home 4 and a half years ago now. What started as a home decor brand that offered modern, minimalist decor has continued to grow and evolve over the years. I have always tried to keep the collection new and fresh, while still keeping it timeless and effortless with a neutral color palette. I am always inspired by those around me, whether it be my friends & family, or my amazing customers, and I work to offer pieces that meet them where they are today!
Over the past year, I have shifted a lot of my focus to gathering with the people I love, and that has translated into my business. My goal at WH is to help bring people together — to share special moments with their loved ones, to gather and meet new friends that can change their course of their lives, or to celebrate unique experiences together! My friends have always been my family, and now with a new beautiful family of my own, I am striving to create a space where everyone can come together and feel inspired and loved and accepted. That philosophy is what continues to inspire the collection today, as it continues to move more toward the kitchen and entertainment world. I want to offer pieces that people can use in the kitchen to cook a beautiful intimate meal with their family, or items they can use to host the most gorgeous shindig of the season! Whatever the vibe, Wilde Home can help you bring that love to life!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
This one is easy. My mother, hands down! My mother is the hardest working person I have ever met, and she always did it with grace. Growing up with a single mom taught me how to be strong, resourceful and resilient, to never wait for someone else to do it for me, and to always work hard for what you believe in or want in life. But most importantly, she also taught me to do it with kindness and an open heart. That has been the most important lesson she could have given me.
I have always and will continue to face challenges, or encounter people who would prefer to see me fail. But as long as I continue to keep my focus on what is important to me, I can’t fail. My mothers work ethic was awe inspiring, and I can only hope to be as powerful and kind a woman she is!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Wow, this one is so important to talk about. I have always been one to hide my feelings, or push them down to accommodate others. Not in a negative way, I would always just prefer to stay quiet about the things I was going through and work through my feelings in private. I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone..
Opening my business opened up an amazing community that truly shifted my mindset here. Over the past 2-3 years I have gone through a lot of change in my personal life – a divorce after 10 years, a career shift, a very painful relationship that made me lose myself, all while fully renovating my new home and trying to keep myself and my business together. I felt like I lost who I was over the years, giving pieces of myself to others. I felt like I would always be alone, and I struggled to find myself again….to feel my confidence and light. Slowly throughout the process, I decided to open up more publicly about what I was going through and my feelings toward my situation, to share bits of my story with my community. More so for myself, to help me process everything I was going through. But the response was overwhelming!! I never thought about how my story could touch or help others, and the messages I received from people who had been battling with their own challenges was incredible. Hearing others open up and thank me for sharing really helped me to remember what is important, how important community and love is. I slowly started to realize that by showing up and showing love no matter what I was going through, it would help heal me, and help me find my power again! My power to be the person I always wanted to be.
I had a lot of people tell me that what I went through would have broken so many others. That no one would have judged me if it did break me or if I turned into a bitter, angry person. However, that’s just not me. What I went through made me stronger, helped me become my true authentic self, and brought me to my now husband. All the pain was worth it, and I wouldn’t be here without this community and the amazing people surrounding me!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My friends….I have the most incredibly talented and kind people in my life!! I feel so lucky to know them and to love them. Each and every one of them would drop everything to be there for each other, and have shown that time and time again. They have done it for me, and I have witnessed them doing it for so many others.
And I can prove it…..I mentioned I recently got married, but the week of the wedding was a bit wild! We found out 5 days before the wedding that our venue shut down, there was zero communication and we were left venueless. My friends literally all came together to create the most insanely gorgeous wedding in my tiny backyard in just 4 days. I still can’t believe the love we were surrounded by that day!
I am forever inspired by their love and generosity, and can not imagine life without them!
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I never live with regrets! That is a concept I just don’t understand. Everything I have done has made me who I am, and everything I have chosen not to do wasn’t meant for me. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, so it makes it easy not to live with regrets!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildehomedecor.com
- Instagram: @wilde.home.decor
Image Credits
Nicole Leone Miller
Mallory Renee
