Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Hurt.
Hi Sarah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started by coordinating rotating art shows in my brother-in-law’s furniture shop in Chinatown—great walls, no art! In the process, I started meeting more and more artists, learning the ropes of how that side of the business worked, while also rubbing shoulders with designers who were ordering custom furniture. It was this perfect collision of art, design, and commerce that really sparked something for me.
At the time, I was in a bit of a professional transition. I was turning 40 with a lot of work experience across a bunch of different fields—retail, accounting, marketing—and I was feeling ready to finally apply all that hard work toward my own venture. But I was also unclear about exactly what that should look like or how to make it happen.
So I worked with a professional coach for about 18 months to really discern what motivated me, my value structure, my skill hierarchy—all of it. Through that process, I built the business model for Seattle Art Source. We officially launched in October 2016, made our first sale in January 2017, and honestly, the company we are now in 2026 is something I couldn’t even have dreamed of back then. It’s been quite the journey.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting anything from scratch is inherently stepping into the unknown, so ask any entrepreneur and we’ll all tell you similar stories. The pain points of growth and self-doubt are pretty universal.
I don’t know that the work has been any rougher than any other kind of work, though. My friends with stable corporate jobs have their own struggles—different challenges, same level of difficulty. The trade-off for me is this: love it or hate it, my decisions steer this business, and I see a direct correlation between my actions and the health of the company. That accountability can be both empowering and terrifying.
What this has meant over the past 2-3 years is that I’ve needed to invest in my knowledge as a business owner—and see that as a real critical part of keeping the business healthy, not a luxury we can skimp on. Professional development isn’t optional when you’re the one making all the calls. It’s essential infrastructure.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an art advisor, and what that really means is that I connect people with art. I do this in a couple of different ways, but at the core, I’m passionate about making the art buying process friendly and approachable—not intimidating or exclusive.
I reach a lot of art buyers through the interior design world by working with architects and interior designers, but I also work directly with individuals who are buying art for their homes or workspaces. Every client presents a unique conversation, and I love it all. Some clients come to us because they’re buying art for the first time and don’t know where to start. Some people need help downsizing collections from that large family home to the new empty-nester condo. And some clients just love the artists on the Seattle Art Source roster and are regulars at the gallery.
What I’m most proud of is that we’ve built something that genuinely bridges the gap—from wanting art but not really knowing how to go about it, to helping you connect with that meaningful piece that belongs in your space. You can make an appointment with me to chat through the process, or peruse our online gallery at seattleartsource.com.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Great question! I’m addicted to The New York Times app and Claude—but I generally dislike being on my phone on the weekends. Balance, right?
My reading habits are all over the place, but I just finished Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and loved his perspective on the business of taking care of people. It really resonated with how I think about client relationships and what we’re trying to build at Seattle Art Source.
Design blogs and podcasts are a must for me since I’m adjacent to that world, so anything related to Architectural Digest and Dwell are weekend-worthy. It keeps me connected to the conversations my designer clients are having and helps me stay current on what’s inspiring people in their spaces.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Seattleartsource.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seattleartsource/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seattle-art-source/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SeattleArtSource
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@seattleartsource?_t=ZP-90DfJgZLwqM&_r=1
