Sunnyside and Thunderstorms

“She stopped me and simply said, ‘I like to live on the sunny side of life.’” Beth said as I asked about the story behind her company name. Beth Lehman is the founder and owner of Sunnyside Lifestyle Co. A design studio that leverages storytelling to elevate the uniqueness of brands.

“I had been suffering from my own depression and anxiety at that time,” Beth continued. “I was living as a passenger in my own life; full on believing I had no choice but to be depressed and anxious all the time.”

Launching a business is scary. But when we lean into our stories, strengths, and passion, we create an authentic and meaningful brand. 

In this interview, Beth opens up about why she created Sunnyside Lifestyle Co and how she continues to draw inspiration to cultivate authenticity.

Michelle: What’s the story behind the name Sunnyside Lifestyle Co.?

Beth: This is a very long winded novel (the only way I know) but it's a loaded question.   

A woman close to my family (but really not close to me) was going through a pretty tragic time. She had metastatic, stage 4 breast cancer and she knew there wasn’t anything else they could do for her.  She was spending the rest of her  time making memories with her family and friends, husband and 2 young children. In the craziest plot twist of all time, her husband went into the hospital because he wasn’t feeling so great and he never came out.  She buried her husband and still had to carry on caring for her 2 elementary aged children knowing she wasn’t going to be around for much longer either. She had been writing a blog, documenting her journey and she wanted all her posts turned into a book for her sons.  I took on the project because my mom knew I was creative and could figure it out.  

I wrapped up the project and went to deliver the books to her home. Every time I was over she tried to host me.  She had a medical bed set up in the living room by this time and she was always up and down grabbing things that she needed to set up beside her bed.   I gave her the books and she kept telling me thank you over and over again; I got a little uncomfortable with the gratitude.  Honestly I just kept thinking I wish there was more I could do.  So I told her again it was truly my pleasure and that she honestly didn’t have to thank me for anything anymore; at this point in her life she gets a pass on being thankful and always trying to be so good. She was not having it; she stopped me and simply said, “I like to live on the sunny side of life.” She told me she knew the reality of the situation, but she chooses every day to remain positive.

Those words burned a place forever in my mind. They changed me. I love a good mantra, quote, music lyric - I am often moved by them; my emotions are changed by them, but never this much. This one shook me. I had never heard it before and definitely not from someone who was dying but still choosing to stay living on the sunny side.  

I had been suffering from my own depression and anxiety at that time. Paralyzing anxiety that resulted in living as a shut in for months.  Depression where I didn’t get out of bed and felt like who cared if I didn’t wake up the next day.  I was living as a passenger in my own life; full on believing I had no choice but to be depressed and anxious all the time.  

Don’t get me wrong depression and anxiety are real diseases often requiring medical intervention - they were for me at least - but she made me feel like no matter the hand life has dealt you,  you still have a say in your attitude towards life.  You can conquer or do just about anything as long as you keep moving forward even if you are surrounded by heavy darkness; even the tiniest speck of light is worth pointing towards. Eventually the light will get brighter and the days will get better.   

Michelle: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Beth: In terms of my designs for my clients, my inspirations come directly from my them.  I like to feel out who they are by hearing their story.  They give me basic things like favorite colors, font styles, and how they always imagined their brand looking and then I build a design around what they sound like.  I like this process a lot because they aren’t always who they say they are in the end.  For example, sometimes they will describe themselves one way but their branding will work itself out to be very different.  It's a fun journey we go on. 

And I draw inspiration personally from the people I surround myself with.  Collaborating and brainstorming with people is my favorite thing to do.  Give me a drink or a coffee and a bunch of people who like coming up with big ideas and then pass them off to people who have no ideas but are amazing at getting things done….that is my dream workplace scenario.    

Michelle: What is the significance of storytelling?

Beth: In my life personally, it is everything.  It’s how I share and express myself.  When I tell my stories, even the embarrassing ones or the sad ones or the ones where I am proud of myself, it is how I keep myself honest and authentic.  A good story brings people in;  in business it is critical.  Storytelling creates connections, loyalty, and educates people. 

I know my brand just sounds so full of happiness and perfection,  but it is actually the opposite. Its more, “oh I got this even though this is going to be hard. ”I love sharing my stories and hearing about other people’s as well.  We all have one; nearly everything created does!     

Michelle: How does engagement translate through graphic and web design?

Beth: I hope I am answering your question correctly.  For me, when I design for someone it doesn’t end there.  You are kind of stuck with me, part of the Sunnyside Lifestyle Company for the long haul because now I have become interested in you and your brand.  Sometimes my clients just get a logo, which is fine - I want them to feel like they now have something that they can be excited about and then build the rest on their own.  Sometimes they need all the things.  Either way, they are part of my team because we have shared stories, we have gotten to know each other, we have gone back and forth - me ensuring them they just need to be honest and not worry about hurting my feelings because I want the work I do to be something they love. Some say business isn’t personal, but for me - its mostly personal.  

Michelle: Where do you plan on taking your business in the next 5 years?

Plans? Good grief I really would love to pretend that my “5 year plan” is a real plan, but honestly I have learned “if you want to make Lady universe laugh, make plans.”  When I moved to Hawaii 4.5 years ago I sold my first business and was so happy to “have a cushy government job and just enjoy life in Hawaii.” Ha!  Life is funny...I am so grateful that some of my 5 years plans never worked out.  

So what does the next 5 years for my business look like?  The past 4.5 years I have co-founded a non-profit in West Virginia where I am from, started freelancing design work, and started this business - all things that were never planned.  

My hope is it doesn’t take 5 years but I would love to open my Squarespace and Showit template shop, design a line of digital patterns for children’s fabric, publish a children's book I wrote, expand my non-profit to serve more kids, collaborate on all the projects with all the people that want to make a difference and do good in the community, and create a legacy my daughter is proud of.  My main goal is to be authentic, be helpful, and matter in everything I do; I feel like I am on my way.  

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