Get To Know Kim Dow: Sass Studios Founder
Q. Tell us a little about your journey and how it lead you to where you are.
I got my degree in graphic design and got a job at a local graphic design studio straight out of college. After working there for several years, I realized that it was time to start my own business. I started what was then called Kalico Design (now Sass Studios) in 2008 right as the recession started—but I was determined to make it work. I started out with a laptop on my couch and hardly any clients. That business has since grown over the past 10 years, to an office space in Downtown Frederick with full and part time staff. We offer a lot of different types of creative services, including branding, print design, web design, and marketing. Our current focus is on women entrepreneurs and petpreneurs (pet focused businesses)—as they are both important to me. Additionally, about three years ago I started Sass Magazine, a women’s lifestyle professional magazine for Western Maryland and the surrounding regions, and then just earlier this year, I acquired and launch Everyday Dog Magazine, a dog owners and lovers lifestyle digital magazine!
Q. Sass Magazine stands out in that list of projects. Why did you want to start a magazine?
At first, I didn’t know I wanted to design magazines. Putting a layout together is like a puzzle—you have all these pieces, a certain number of pages, a certain number of spaces—and you have to make it all work. Through Sass Studios, we were doing a lot of magazine design work, and we wanted to do more. We wanted to have a say in editorial content, a say in the ads, a say in the events. At the same time, I was becoming aware of all the amazing women in our community doing, amazing things, but no outlet to celebrate their achievements. I wanted to fill that void, so I created Sass. Sass Magazine has since grown, and kind of molds to the culture of Sass Studios.
Q. You own three businesses! What’s helped you most in your success with those three businesses?
I would say a great support system. My husband, my family, my colleagues are all very supportive. That’s something that you definitely needed to succeed. I also have this incredibly amazing staff—people who are self motivated and creative. I don’t have to tell them over and over again to do something, they just do it. And they do it really well.
Q. What struggles have you faced as a business owner?
One of the big struggles for a service-based business is that there can be ups and downs with revenue. Changeover in staff is also a struggle, as there’s a learning curve until you can get staff members running at full speed. Both are ongoing struggles that are typical of anyone who owns a small business. And then there’s always the struggle that many entrepreneurs have with anxiety. There is no “off-switch.” As much as you try to do a work/life balance, whenever you go out, you have to be “on.” Even when when you try to step away from it all, your brain is still thinking about your business.
Q. What’s a typical day for you?
There are no typical days—it all depends on the schedule. Sometimes it seems I’m never in the office because I’m in meetings all day, or at events or photoshoots. And then sometimes I’m in the office all day long—and those are my favorite days, because it feels as though I can actually get things done! Most days I come into work later in the morning, because I have crafted my morning time for self care—which is really needed when you run three businesses. That “white space”—an extra hour or two in the morning—is actually when most of my ideas for the business come to me. At first I felt guilty about coming in late. But it’s clear to me that downtime is really critical to help create those business ideas. I’ll stay in the office until about 7 at night. It’s when I get a lot of work done, because it’s after hours and I can focus on what needs to get done with any distractions.
Q. How would you describe yourself in three words?
This answer probably changes per day, but I would say: Motivated. Humble. Always eager to learn (although that’s technically not just one word…).
Q. What advice would you give to women following their dreams and passions?
I would say: GO FOR IT! Whether it’s starting your own business, or changing your career path, or going on that big trip—it doesn’t matter what your dreams or passions are. When you’re ready, you’ll know you’re ready. You’ll know because it’s the first thought you wake up every morning. It’ll always be in the back of your mind, all day long. And when you sleep, you’ll dream about it. When that happens, that’s when you’ll know you’re ready to make the leap. And I say go for it, because if you don’t, you’re always going to wonder “what if?” If you have that passion or dream that you are constantly thinking about, then you need to present it to the world so other people can enjoy it. You’re going to give something that people need or want.
Follow Kim on Instagram