September 18, 2020 Meet the team
Meet the Team - Sara Berks
When I first sent Sara these questions, she responded with "isn't there enough about me already?" But, after some more arm twisting, MINNA founder and creative director, Sara Berks, shares her ideal day off, what it means to work ethically, and of course - some pictures of MINNA studio pup Soba.
By Sara Berks
Sara Berksshe/her/hers
Where are you from?
East Lyme, CT - small town in South Eastern Connecticut
What do you do at MINNA?
I'm the Founder/CEO/Creative Director at MINNA! So, basically I do a lot of everything. My responsibilities have changed and grown a lot over the years. I'm not only designing these days - in fact, that's hardly what I spend my time doing. I am constantly thinking big and small - zooming in and out and looking at how every small decision can cause a ripple, and effect the whole. Analyzing last year's sales, making sure tomorrow's release is as good as it can be, and thinking about what where we'll be in 10 years, sometimes all at once.
How did you get started with MINNA?
Ohhh, I've answered this a lot, but, starting MINNA was an intentional accident. I left my job in digital design, I taught myself to weave, took a weaving workshop in Mexico, and the rest is history...that you can read about here on the journal!
What does working ethically mean to you?
It means considering the impact of every decision. It means being flexible and adaptive based on the needs of anyone or any situation. It means being thoughtful and compassionate, but also knowing your own limits. It means considering the individual first.
An unexpected day off looks like…
I don't get many 'true' days off! Sleeping in, making coffee, working in the garden, playing with my dog, painting, swimming (if it's warm), maybe a hike, seeing art (when we were allowed!), spending time with my partner, planning a trip, seeing friends, planning a house project (I have a really old house), reading, facetiming my niece.
Secret/hidden talents?
I'm pretty capable of making a mess in the cleanest of spaces. Is that a talent? I'm also really good at frying potatoes - I make about 40lbs of latkes every year for a combination birthday/Hannukah party. It's become infamous.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve gotten? The best piece of advice you give?
Give: 'Fake it 'til you make it.' I don't mean that in a lying sense (how ethical would that be?!) but in an own what you know and your own experience way, even if that experience might not be validated by 'society' in a traditional way.
Received: 'A true safe space means we are compassionate enough to hear all sides' - this was in a 'casual' email my business advisor (business therapist?), Holly Howard, sent to me once when I was having to make some tough decisions. Been thinking about this a lot as I navigate through the world.
