I started by building websites:
now I build brand-based organizational health.
I'm a passionate senior leader with proven experience across multiple domains. I drive results through strategic integration of customer empathy, brand positioning, technology, and culture. I've always focused on people: UX is about the total experience of your customer and team, and empathy is essential to making the right decisions.
I specialize in resourceful innovation. I challenge teams to view constraints not as blockers, but as design parameters that force clearer, more creative solutions. I prioritize data over trends and function over flash to ensure every initiative directly serves the organization's bottom line.
(Click to see context)
Strategic & operational architecture for scaling brands.
The Challenge: Manual Chaos
The Problem: As Sock It to Me scaled, product development was managed through fragmented spreadsheets, chaotic email threads with factories, and disparate folders. There was no ERP and no single source of truth. This messy workflow slowed time-to-market and required significant manual headcount just to manage data entry for thousands of SKUs.
The Solution: I architected a custom Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system using Airtable that served as the permanent operational backbone of the department.
0 to 1 Brand Development
The Challenge: The e-mobility market was saturated with "tech-bro" specs and generic imports. We needed a brand that felt human, accessible, and distinct.
The Strategy: I led the strategic definition of our core archetypes ("The Trendsetter," "The Commuter") to build a voice that was "Nerdy but Accessible."
A mix of selected experiences, technical depth, and strategic wins.
COO / Director
Founding executive leader driving the company from concept to commercial success. Bootstrapped to $1M first-year revenue without external funding.
Head of Marketing
Led end-to-end transformation of the e-commerce presence. Resulted in 57% revenue growth and increased retention by 67%. Grew DTC customer base by 153%.
Marketing & Tech
Spearheaded project to migrate and overhaul data synchronization automations. Boosted efficiency and strengthened brand competitive edge.
At these (probably outdated tbh) professional site profiles, you can find other/more information that will eventually find its way here. Or validate that I'm a person that actually exists.
Pretty much all of this is also on LinkedIn.
"I've worked closely with Sarah Jean in leadership roles at both Singapore Math and Sock It to Me. Her expansive knowledge of branding, marketing, systems technology, and management make her one of the most effective problem solvers I've ever met. I mean, she's a marketer who can code! ... She is also a great team leader whose passion for her work is truly inspiring. I enthusiastically recommend Sarah Jean."
"Her understanding of branding, ecommerce, and data-driven strategy helped develop the company, our team, and my own professional goals. When she was hired, there was no marketing department. She built the strategy and team from the ground up, incorporating existing core values into each aspect."
"Sarah Jean's sheer enthusiasm for the company's culture, marketing knowledge and core hardworking ethic helped to make her department one of growth and innovation."
"Sarah is a brand warrior for the little guy. She has a knack for taking a company's brand and exceeding their expectations without batting an eye."
Context... below are things people said about me 7+ years ago that give insight to my growth beyond design and development.
"She is one of those rare designers fluent in both design and code... Empire Covers is lucky to have Sarah on board."
— Ryan Draving
"She may be a web developer, but she gets the business side of things, too. I'm always glad when a potential opportunity to work alongside her comes my way."
— Frank Fumarola
I'm an enthusiastic, outdoors-loving, sociable nerd. I care deeply, I try hard, and I love making people laugh. I never give up, and I always want to do better. I believe everyone has potential to grow and accomplish whatever they want, with hard work and support from those who care about them. I'm always looking to learn something new, get better at what I know, and find the answers to things I don't know. I'm self-directed, but I'm not afraid to ask for help, and I'm not too proud to admit I've made a mistake. I'm unapologetically honest and straight forward, and I trust others will be the same with me. I'm a bit messy, a bit loud, but I'm always my authentic self.
This is my face when I look off into the distance pretending that there is something interesting over there.