Exploring Life & Business with Sarah Debevec of Farra Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Debevec.

Hi Sarah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
If you had asked me a few years ago if I planned to run my own business, I would have laughed. People had mentioned it more than once over the years, but it always felt too risky with a family. I was happy where I was, part of a great team, managing projects, building relationships, and bringing ideas to life.

During my more than two decades in corporate communications, I got to do a bit of everything: project management, client relationships, websites, advertising, event support, and environmental graphics. It gave me a front-row seat to how brands actually work and why consistency and communication matter.

Eventually, it was time to find something new, and all of those experiences and the network I built along the way gave me the confidence to start Farra Design.

Now I work with businesses that need extra hands on deck. Some need help with design or marketing projects, others need a creative partner who will walk them through what works and why. I like helping clients understand the reasoning behind the design, not just handing over the finished files.

I did not plan to become a business owner, but it turns out this was a good pivot for me. Every project is a mix of creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration, and I still get that same spark when a client sees the final result and says, “That is exactly what we needed.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not exactly, but it has worked out better than I expected.

There’s a big learning curve when you go from a steady corporate job to running your own business. The first challenge was financial. I was used to a regular paycheck, and that doesn’t happen anymore. Some months are busier than others, and it took time to plan for that. Now I set money aside so I’m not stressed when things slow down.

Finding the next client has been a challenge, and I’m still learning how to handle that. Some projects come through referrals, others through social media, or from people I’ve worked with in the past. It’s not always predictable, but I’ve learned to trust that the right work keeps coming.

After years of working 8 to 5, I have to regularly remind myself that work doesn’t always mean sitting at my desk. Sometimes it’s walking through a local bookstore for inspiration, having lunch with someone I haven’t seen in years, or joining a web conference to learn something new. Running a creative business has taught me the value of staying curious and connected, and having the flexibility to do that has been so rewarding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Farra Design is my creative studio where I help businesses bring their ideas to life through clear, practical design. Most of my clients already have an established look and feel, and they need someone who can jump in, understand their brand, and keep things moving. That might mean designing websites, trade show materials, social media content, or tightening up existing documents so everything looks consistent and professional.

One of the projects I am most proud of was helping a friend launch her business from the ground up. I created her branding, built her website, set up her social media, and trained her on how to keep it going until she was ready for more help. I also recently spent a week working on-site with a client while their designer was away, which reminded me how much I enjoy being part of a team and helping things run smoothly.

Working from home has made me appreciate how many small businesses are supporting families right here in Painesville and across Northeast Ohio. In the future, I would love to do more local work and help those businesses show up with the same confidence as larger brands.

Relationships, integrity, and good service are the foundation of what I do. I like a bit of process too, so if you need some instruction on how to use your new document or brand, I can include that. I want clients to feel supported, confident, and understood. Whether I am working with a manufacturer or a new business owner, I take pride in being someone they can rely on to make their brand look as capable as they are.

I have spent the last couple of years focused on client work and systems, and still have a lot of branding work to do for myself. But if you need a website, a brand package, or just some guidance on what to do next, I am happy to help. I love movies, comic cons, and working with people who care about what they do. If you want a designer who values good relationships, clear communication, and design that makes sense, give me a call.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am a systems nerd, and I love to optimize processes. Anything that helps me work smarter or stay organized gets my attention.

For design and content, I spend most of my time in Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Express. I use Express to schedule social media for myself and a client, and I love that my brand packages are built right in. Quick animations and updates are easy to create, and it keeps everything looking consistent without a lot of extra effort.

To track projects and invoices, I use Moxie. It keeps my client work organized and helps me manage everything from proposals to billing in one place. And since I wear every hat in my business, I use ChatGPT wherever I can to move a little faster. I do not use it for design, but it is a huge help since I am not a copywriter. It helps me think through ideas, get unstuck, or put my thoughts into words when my brain is already juggling a dozen projects. I have even built a couple of custom GPTs to handle specific tasks, and they have been great for keeping things organized and consistent.

I would not be able to function without Post-its and my Bullet Journal. They are where my brain resets. I still love being able to sketch, jot ideas, and see everything laid out in front of me. It is the one system that never crashes.

I am almost always listening to a podcast while I work. Some of my favorites right now are Building Your Brand with Liz Mosley, The Best Marketing Podcast Ever with Hannah Isted, The Angry Designer, and Web Design Business with Josh Hall. They each bring a different perspective to creative business, marketing, and mindset, and I love how they remind me that we are all figuring it out as we go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://farradesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graphics_girl
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdebevec