From Print Shop to Studio: Toby Myles & Sue Harper on Creative Entrepreneurship
Sue Harper shares her origin story from print shop employee to founder of a boutique branding agency plus how saying yes to a side hustle (before she had it all figured out) led to two decades of creative entrepreneurship.
Her Origin Story · Guest: Susan Harper, Editor: Ilorah Dela Cruz, Original Cover Art: Isabel Paterson, Host: Toby Myles
Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (cdn.simplecast.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.
Show Notes
Check Out These Highlights:
Sue Harper didn’t launch her business with a master plan—just a Mac the size of a compact car and a deep desire for more freedom. In this episode, Sue shares how she transitioned from hands-on film assembly to digital design, why a July 4th vacation request changed everything, and how Sharper Creative has evolved over the past 20+ years.
We talk about learning on the job, embracing change without burning out, and how building a creative business is often more about following your curiosity than having it all mapped out. Sue also reflects on letting go of feast-or-famine anxiety, growing a team, and what keeps her going even when business is slow.
About Sue Harper:
Sue Harper is the founder and CEO of Sharper Creative, a branding and design studio that helps growing businesses and nonprofits show up with clarity and confidence. She’s a lifelong creative who’s built a career (and a company) by following what lights her up and saying yes before she felt “ready.”
Connect with Sue:
🌐 Website: https://sharpernet.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-harper/
🎁 Free Resource: https://sharpernet.com/free/
Stalk Me Online!
About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/
Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course
Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all.
Episode Notes Footer:
Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz
All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.