I first met Sandra at a Women TIES event. I instantly connected with her quiet and relaxed nature; however, I sensed that there was something about her I couldn’t put my finger on. There was a spark there I couldn’t quite articulate…
After seeing her again and chatting with her a few times online, I figured it out: it was the musician in her. I had initially met the business woman, the website designer, the visually creative person – but I felt something else there, and that something was the love of music.
Just like you can sense and “click with” a dog-lover (of which I am one), I think you can also sense those people for whom music is a large part of their lives and of their souls. I’ve always been a music lover, but never fulfilled that dream and channeled my creative energies in other directions. I admire Sandra for being brave, both by taking her musical journey and through her changing careers to follow other passions.
It will be interesting to see her new vision develop; check out her website to learn more!
What is “The Visible Company?”
“You have amazing content. And I hesitate to say it, but your content alone isn’t enough to get the attention your message deserves. Visual marketing draws attention to your great content and can help you find the people who want what you have. There is *so much* content out there these days, including visuals! And it’s harder to stand out. But content containing compelling images attracts 94% more views than purely text-based content.”
“I help brands tell their story with pictures, so their message gets *seen* (and heard) in a noisy world.” ~Sandra~
About the Business
- How did the idea for your business come about?
About two years ago, I was making some new business cards on Moo.com. I decided to use quotes of my own on the back side of them. The design turned out so well that I thought it would be fun to put them up on Facebook and Pinterest to inspire people. That’s when I had the idea that marketing your message could be a visual process, and a way to stand out in the crowd.
- How do you generate new ideas?
By not resisting them. I’m an idea machine, so there’s no problem with idea generation, but over-thinking can get in the way. So when I feel stuck I use processes that help me connect with a higher power. Sometimes that means I step away and go take a walk or a shower. The answer is always there, but sometimes you need the space to hear it.
- What is unique about your business?
I create stories with pictures. It’s the marriage of strategic storytelling, relationship-building, and irresistible imagery.
About Sandra Gardner
- What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Actually, I’m writing it — but it’s a memoir of a particular period in my life. It’s called Fretless, a play on words because it’s about my years as an indie rock musician and how becoming a mother almost made me lose my creative voice. Fretless because I played a fretless bass, but also fretless because it describes a state of being.
- Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best?
Four years ago this fall, I was driving down the highway and I put my hand on my heart for a moment. My index finger landed right on top of a tiny tumor in my thyroid gland. I knew instantly that it was cancer. When I heard the diagnosis a couple of months later, I felt devastated. It took me a year and a half, but that diagnosis become a rebirth of myself — I became a writer. Cancer came with gifts for me, but I had to be willing to receive them.
Sandra’s son, Laszlo the Author, hard at work.
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
My son. Becoming a mother was a transcendental experience.
- What are your two beverages of choice: mixed drinks, wine, beer, lemonade, soda, coffee, tea or water?
Coffee & red wine. Not at the same time.
Fast Five – the fun stuff!
- What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
Don’t remember the first thing, but I remember saving up for a stereo receiver from Circuit City. I still have it today.
- What is something you enjoy doing that you think no one would expect from you?
I love studying data.
Laszlo’s first published book!
- What’s your favorite season?
I love them all, but fall in New York State is amazing.
- If you had to change your first name, what would you change it to?
I wouldn’t change my first name, but I’d change my middle name to Avant. Then I’d be the Avant Gardner. (http://youtu.be/bcnIhzaDTd0)
- What is your favorite food?
Anything Indian.
- What’s your favorite color?
I’m crazy for red, but recently opened my eyes to cobalt blue.