Ep 158: Hot Seat with Sara Kim

In Episode 158, we’re introducing something exciting for Season 7—Hot Seat Sessions! 🎉 This time, we’re putting the spotlight on our co-host, Sara Kim, as she opens up about the unique challenges she's faced throughout her 13-year journey as a business owner and artist.

Here’s what you'll hear in this episode:

• The Challenge of Time & Mastery - Sara shares her reflections on how dedicating time is one of the biggest challenges of growing both her art and business. Drawing inspiration from an interview with Billie Eilish and her brother, she talks about the 10,000-hour rule: the idea that becoming a master requires countless hours of practice. Despite the demands of her family and work, Sara emphasizes that consistent dedication has shaped her skills, particularly through trial and error.
• Learning from Failures - Sara doesn’t shy away from discussing her experiences with customer complaints, shipping delays, and creative setbacks. From flowers that didn’t make the cut to shipments that arrived late, she shares the emotional toll of these challenges, including the moments she spent crying at her workspace when things went wrong. But for Sara, the real joy lies in experimentation and learning—she finds fulfillment in researching and refining her craft, even when things don’t always work out as planned.
• The Plumeria Journey - Sara discusses her latest project—making paper Plumerias. Although the Plumeria isn’t her favorite flower, a trip to Hawaii inspired her to revisit it. After many failed attempts, she figured out a method to capture the delicate gradient of the flower’s soft ombre coloring, using techniques like blending crayons for a natural look. Despite the difficulty, she found a way to make the process semi-beginner friendly for others to try.
• Work-Life Balance and Shifting Priorities - Balancing her career with raising her seven-year-old son is another major theme of this Hot Seat. Sara acknowledges the difficulty of work-life balance as an artist, explaining that sometimes there truly is no perfect balance. Over the years, her priorities have shifted, like transitioning from focusing on Instagram to putting more energy into her YouTube channel, repurposing content for different platforms to make the best use of her limited time. Her strategy emphasizes adaptability—knowing when to refocus on a new goal is key.
• Research & Continuous Learning - One of Sara's strengths is her dedication to learning. Whether it’s upgrading her video equipment, studying successful YouTube channels, or listening to different podcasts to understand effective styles, Sara embraces continuous growth. She compares this process to the dedication of Michelin-starred chefs who consistently hone their craft over decades, a commitment she resonates with as she evolves her creative skills.
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome - Quynh highlights how Sara’s journey is a testament to perseverance, especially in the face of imposter syndrome. Sara’s ability to put in the hard work, push herself beyond her comfort zone, and find her own style is inspiring. All three hosts agree that the journey of building a creative business requires regularly “switching hats,” learning new things, and embracing an evolving identity.

Success doesn’t happen overnight. Sara’s candid discussion of her failures, successes, and ongoing learning process is a reminder that everyone starts from zero. Mastery is earned through time, trial, and dedication. For all artists and creatives out there, the encouragement is to keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep evolving.

Tune in to hear more about Sara's creative journey, and don't forget to let us know what you'd like to hear from us in future Hot Seat sessions! We’re excited to continue this season of growth, reflection, and connection with you all. 🌸

Be sure to listen to the entire episode for many more insights. For more inspiring discussions and helpful tips, be sure to join us on the Paper Talk Podcast or in our Facebook group. Please also consider donating on our website to help us keep producing great content like this. Together, we'll continue to grow, learn, and celebrate the artistry of paper flowers. Thank you for being part of our wonderful community.