Get to Know: Project Lead, Sarah Bailey

What’s your favorite thing about working at Visionary?

The people here are so cool, unique, insanely smart, friendly and all-around awesome. Everyone brings something different and interesting to the table. I feel like I learn something new every day from someone different. I love that I’m challenged to do my best and be more creative all the time.

How did you end up at Visionary?

[President] David found me on LinkedIn. At first, I thought it was weird because it was this small company I’d never heard of. But after meeting with the senior managers, I knew it was a perfect fit. My first interview was more like hanging out with friends.

A lot of the people in the office like to put on their headphone and listen to music while they’re working. What are some of the songs you listen to when you need to get ‘in the zone’ and hammer out a project?

I’m really in to Sam Smith right now. Just the right amount of upbeat, but so soulful.

What advice would you give to someone looking to break into this industry?

Just start teaching yourself whatever it is you’re most interested in. If you like CSS or design, try doing an online tutorial or read a book on the subject. There’s so much you can learn online, and there’s no reason why you can’t be self-taught.

Set yourself up with an environment on CodePen and mess around until you get it right. Google is your friend. Find some cool websites that keep you up to date on the latest trends. Things are constantly changing in this industry so it’s important to know what the next thing is.

If you were on an island and could only bring 3 things, what would you bring?

Burt’s Bees lip balm, a water purifier and a hatchet. You can survive anything with a hatchet, right? (This is assuming there’s not cell phone service on this island).

 What was your worst summer job?

Working at the Limited. People, please do not unfold every single shirt from the pile. There’s a good chance smaller sizes are on top and larger sizes are to the bottom. Also, there’s no reason to take 597 items into a dressing room with you. Don’t be a jerk.

 Photo by Rebekah Photography

What’s one of the scariest things you’ve ever done?

I lived in California for six months, and one time when I was hiking, a friend took me on this super-unsafe path that ended with me basically hanging from the side of a rock. I was supposed to pull myself up on top of it, which was totally out of the question – upper arm strength, what? I seriously thought I was going to fall to my death. Fortunately my hiking partner (the one that got me in way over my head) was able to help pull me up. Good news: I didn’t die, but I did hang out on that rock for about 20 minutes crying and watching my life flash before my eyes.

What’s one thing you are really afraid of?

Spiders. UGH.

What do you do for fun?

I love to hang out at Confluence and go for walks with my little guy, Brooks.

What is one weird thing you used to think about the world when you were a kid?

I always thought the street “Ingersoll” was actually “Ingersalt.” I thought that for WAY too long.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up/start your day?

Usually I’m getting attacked by a really cute 14-month-old. There’s no better way to start a day.

What book are you currently reading?

The Immortal Life of Henriettta Lacks. But I just finished the Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and that was pretty life-changing for me (the title doesn’t lie!). I think I threw out or donated at least half of my stuff.

What is one thing that makes you really happy?

I might be a cliché here, but my family. My husband totally rocks. He’s an executive chef, so he makes amazing food for us, and he’s a super-good dad. Plus he puts up with all my demands (sorry for all the to-do lists on your days off, Austin!).  Also my son is the best. He’s truly the world’s cutest kid and it is so fun watching him learn new skills. I feel crazy-lucky to have those two by my side.

What’s the best decision you’ve ever made in life?

Making the insane decision to have a kiddo and then making the even more insane decision to let him be born when he decided to. I was 43 weeks and 6 days pregnant when my healthy, 9lb, 2oz baby was finally born. But I wouldn’t change a thing!