Running a Business with Mama and Designer Cassie Templeman
Cassie Templeman wasn’t going to let a corporate job steal her dreams. After graduating SDSU and entering the 9-5 grind, she quickly realized it was a ladder she’d prefer not climb. She was happiest creating and turned her passion for art into a freelance design studio, where she offered custom stationery design.
It wasn’t long before her side hustle turned into a full blown career.
Much of her work was in the wedding industry where she developed close friendships with other creatives and vendors… three of which would soon become her business partners on a new venture.
“We were all working together on our respective businesses one day at a local coffee shop, when our partner Tayler, over a brownie, threw out the idea for Sourced Co,” remembers Cassie.
The idea was simple: four wedding vendors coming together to offer their expertise, culminating in a stock photography, video and styling block service for wedding professionals and the creatives who serve them.
The friends worked together on the idea for a year before launching in 2018, and are now celebrating their 4th year (and 7th baby between them). “It’s been an incredible journey of hard work,” says Cassie, “we’ve learned to be resourceful, check our egos at the door, lean into a scrappy mindset, and LIFE – a whole lot of life!”
The team has shot over 50 collections in their time together, developed a growing line of physical products, and served hundreds of other wedding industry professionals and creatives from all over the world with their digital and physical offerings.
“It has – and continues to be – something that lights me up in a way that I didn’t know was possible with work,” smiles Cassie.
We caught up with the entrepreneur and wedding pro to talk motherhood, San Diego, and finding a career doing what you love.
How has San Diego played a part in your businesses?
The creative community here is vast but so very connected. I’ve met some of the most wonderfully talented and driven creative entrepreneurs, many of whom are women as well. The wedding industry here is top notch, and the work that the vendors bring to the table is incredible.
What have you found is the most trying part of operating a business in San Diego, and the most rewarding?
I think realistically the most trying part is tied to the cost of living. It can be a challenge to grow your business to a point where you can support yourself, let alone a growing family. I know personally for me it’s part of the reason that I’ve always had various ventures/revenue streams.The most rewarding part of operating a business in San Diego is, well… everything else! The energy, the community! The balance that many small businesses strive for in regards to work/life is also encouraging. Don’t get me wrong, getting it right is difficult and looks very different for everyone but if you can find that happy medium, there’s no other place I’d rather be to enjoy it. San Diego is certainly called America’s Finest City for a reason!
As a company of working mothers, what advice do you have to other San Diego moms?
Find your people – in work and in motherhood. Surrounding yourself with community that you feel supported by in all that you strive to be – as a mom, person, and professional. We’ve had 7 babies as a company since launching and it’s been challenging at times to figure out how to continually pivot in our business to allow for all that life brings, while still finding that work balance and the joy in creating. I treasure these ladies and cannot imagine navigating life without them by my side. Having their unique experiences to share continually fills my cup and gives me space to feel supported.
What do you see for Sourced Co in the future?
We’ll continue to grow our services and offerings, create new collections, and find various ways to serve other small businesses owners. We’re currently working on the final touches of our updated website and will be launching some exciting physical products this year as well. We’ll continue to strive to grow this beautiful business baby of ours while also pursuing a work hard/play hard mentality and juggling our growing roster of littles too! Personally, after maternity leave and adjusting to life as a mom of two, I look forward to returning to work with my freelance clients, developing some new creative projects through Peanut Press Creative, and continuing to grow in all of my roles professionally.