Meet Amanda Sax | Graphic Designer & Visual Marketing Strategist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Sax and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
After I graduated college in 2009, I worked for a corporate company as a graphic designer. I’m grateful for that on-the-job learning experience but I quickly realized going into an office for someone else wasn’t doing it for me. I quit after only 7 months to open an Etsy shop called lovingLeigh Yours with a line of handmade frames. That later evolved into a line of pillows, signs and pouches, and a team of brilliant seamstresses helping to bring my designs to life.

I loved working for myself at home and the freedom that allowed to contribute to our family both financially and as a mom & wife. I loved creating with my heart and hands, and I loved being the one with the power to bring my ideas to reality. But when my husband and I decided to move from IL to AZ in 2021, I did a lot of thinking about the next steps for LLY and ultimately decided to close that business after 10 years. When we got to Arizona, I wanted to work but I knew it wasn’t a good idea to start a new business while also starting a new life in a new state and trying to get our two kids acclimated. That lead me to finding a great remote & part-time job for a local company whose mission is to support, provide resources and rally around business owners.

After just a few months of being surrounded by motivated, growth-minded and exciting local business owners, the entrepreneur fire in me was reignited! I gave some thought to what I wanted to do and decided on a service-based industry rather than product-based like I had done in the past. I made a list of my skills, a list of things that would bring joy to myself & impact and value to others, and of course the potential to be financially secure.

My list of what would excite me the most brought me to the photo editing industry because in my 10 years of owning and operating my Etsy shop, I wore all the hats, one of which included product photography and editing them for my online shop and social media channels. As a business owner, I know how important it is to have bright, polished and professional photos of my product in order to have the chance to tell their story online, on social media and in print. I knew I needed to increase my chances of being seen rather than potential customers just scrolling on by.

So I launched The Still Refinery in June of 2022 as a professional photo editing service to help businesses look professional & high-quality to match the product/service they offer. What I didn’t realize was that it would quickly evolve into something a little different.

I noticed my audience was wanting more and found myself delivering visual marketing strategies in my content and emails. I realized my years as a graphic designer was still very much a part of me and I needed to give my audience more of my talent.

After just a few months, The Still Refinery evolved into a visual marketing agency where I work one-on-one with brands learning the ins and outs of their business and then design strategic and on-brand “visual vaults” full of infographics that help them market their brand, elevate their positioning in their industry, and simplify their content strategy and workflow.

I’m honored to work with brilliant business owners who are ready to scale, increase their efficiency by outsourcing and entrust me to play a part in the growth of their business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I went to Indiana University thinking I wanted a corporate job in Advertising. I did graduate with a Bachelor’s in Studio Art & Graphic Design and went on working in the art department for a promotional company. After a short 7 months, I knew working in an office for someone else was not for me so after a few long talks with my husband, I quit to open an Etsy shop.

I ran that shop for 10 years, through the birth of my two children, and it resulted in countless 5 star reviews, most of which complimented my superior customer service. I am a perfectionist and needed my customers to have the best shopping experience to match my high-quality product. But after awhile, it was no longer the business that allowed me to stay home with my kids and be with my family. I found myself doing shows on the weekends and staying up past my husband with my laptop. I was proud of that business and what I learned about entrepreneurship along the way, but after ten years, it was time to close up shop.

This time around, I wanted to serve people in a way that didn’t require the cost of goods, packing & shipping, and spending weekends at vendor shows away from my family. The Still Refinery allows me to utilize my love & talent for graphic design, teach my clients what I learned when running my Etsy shop about the importance of professional visuals when marketing your goods & services online, as well as delivering superior customer service.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh there are just so many incredible places in Arizona! We moved here in the summer of 2021 so we’re still exploring and falling in love with the landscape, weather and food here. To start, I’d take them to The Coffee Shop in Agritopia in Gilbert for coffee, breakfast and/or scones. Or we’d stop into any of the Press Coffee locations. If they wanted to shop, I’d take them to Old Town or Scottsdale Quarter. If they wanted to hike, we’d do some trails at Superstition Mountain, South Mountain and the Papagos. If they wanted a road trip, I’d take them to Sedona or Saguaro National Park in Tucson. We’d eat at Dough Bird, Culinary Dropout, Postino, Crust, Sicilian Butcher, and North Italia. I’d take them into downtown Gilbert for the farmer’s market in the morning and then walk the strip at night with a stop at Topo Loco for Prickly Pear ice cream. For the best sunset views, we’d drive up South Mountain to Dobbin’s Lookout and/or eat at Top of the Rock in Tempe. If you ask me that question a year from now, I know I’d have tons of spots to add!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my earlier years of entrepreneurship, I had an Etsy shop designing and producing a line of pillows, signs and pouches. My dad has a wallpaper manufacturing business and he offered to print my designs onto high-quality cotton canvas with his garment printer. When I got bigger and it was time for me to bring the printing in house, he and my mother in-law helped me purchase the printer and they both allowed me to pay them back interest-free. Their support, love and encouragement have, and still are, instrumental in my growth.

I also am lucky to have my mom, siblings, spouse, children and friends who have cheered me on, bought my product & used my services, and sent countless referrals my way.

My family and close friends are still amazing supporters of mine, but I also have to give a big shoutout to Arizona Entrepreneurs. Being able to surround myself with growth-minded & like-minded powerhouses has been invaluable. The professional connections I’ve made have opened me up to valuable business trainings & masterminds that have taught me so much about the business owner I want to be, but more than that, the genuine friendships I’ve made are making a huge difference in keeping me going.

Website: www.thestillrefinery.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestillrefinery/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandasax10/

Image Credits
The photo with me and my laptop @kayleenmariephotography The photo of my family @alitsophoto