Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Lyon.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am currently a freelance writer specializing in lifestyle and design topics, but I got my start in journalism at an early age. In high school and college, I was actively involved in the school newspaper and knew that I wanted to pursue a career in writing and editing after completing a magazine internship in New York City the summer before my senior year of college.
I ended up getting my first magazine job at American Baby, a publication that has since folded, and I have fond memories of those first few years in New York City. Because I had always been interested in the field of higher education, I did decide to leave the city and pursue a master’s degree. This led to me working at George Washington University in DC for several years while freelance writing on the side.
During the pandemic, my freelance career really took off, and I decided to pursue my writing full-time in May 2021.
The rest has been history! My work has been featured in publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, and many more.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working for yourself is never free of challenges, but I am very happy that I took several years to work in the freelance field part-time before fully jumping into it. I have always been a very organized, proactive person, and I really enjoy meeting new people and developing contacts anywhere I go, so those traits have helped, too.
However, staying on top of clients, sources, and schedules can be challenging—particularly being a one-woman business—and the administrative side of running a small business is also something that was a learning curve for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lifestyle and design freelance writer but also greatly enjoy designing and styling my own home. This is something that I am very proud of and which brings me so much joy!
While I spend most of my days writing about other people’s homes, I am pleased to share that my own spaces over the years have been featured in a number of publications, both print and online, and it’s been so nice to connect with other design lovers through these opportunities.
I also maintain an Instagram account, @sarahlyon9, where I showcase my own designs and snippets of my apartment, which is always changing.
What matters most to you?
In the business world and personally, I am all about respect. It is always important to assume that others have the best of intentions and operate from a place of kindness.
As a self-employed person, relationships are so key to my success and I am fortunate to work alongside many respectful, professional, and supportive individuals who make my job easier.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahilyon.com
- Instagram: @sarahlyon9
Image Credits
Lauren Zillinger and Allie Provost
