BIZ TALK | Q & A with Elise from Pass The Salt Studio

Elise Elliott at Pass The Pass the Salt Studio is a rare gem: passionate, creative, and an absolute gun at what she does.

She started her own brand strategy and design studio 5 years ago with a vision of working with those who are unconventional and value creativity. Those with a great love of metaphors and abstract concepts, who felt they didn’t quite fit into the ‘norm’, and frankly don’t want to.

Recently I chatted with her about what makes her tick creatively, how she stays organised as a busy boss babe and mama, and what drives her to do what she does so effortlessly!

Hey Elise! How long have you been doing what you do?

I created Pass the Salt nearly 5 years ago now. Though to say that I’ve been ‘doing what I do’ for that long is an interesting concept. It’s been a wild ride!

The short answer is I’ve been focused on creating brand identities for about 5 years. Even more so since having my little one 3 years ago.

The long answer is that I’ve been working towards this for my entire life… everything I do has been driven by a fascination of people and ideas and love of variety, novelty and personal expression.

I studied graphic design at university, fashion design at TAFE and speech & drama from age 10 to early 20’s.

Since that time, I’ve had my little one (now about to turn 3). The massive life-change I experienced when transitioning to motherhood after having my son was a shock to the system to say the least! It really made me think about the kind of work that I love to do.

Over the past 3 years I’ve really been focusing on helping people shape the unique expression of their identities with the goal of connecting to their own dream audiences.

My journey has taken me from working client-side, building brands from the inside out, to now working collaboratively with business owners to shape their unique showstopper of an identity.

So, I have indeed indulged myself over the past few years. Slightly madly going where my interests lead me, and exploring different and better ways to produce creative work.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’ve always really struggled with this question… Life is full of possibilities and planning out your life too much can mean we actually miss out on opportunities because we have our blinders on.

In five year’s time I would love to have made a real impact in my industry. To be adding to the perceived value of creative work and be lifting my fellow creatives up.

I love to know I’ve made a real positive impact in those lives that I’ve been part of. And that I feel more like myself - and not just okay but amazing with that!

What's something not many people know about you?

I find people endlessly fascinating and find great joy in meeting those who are passionate about what they do.

What is your biggest motivator?

A love of discovery!

Have you got any hacks OR apps that make your business life more organised/ streamlined/ less manic? i.e. how do you keep your shit in order?

Keeping my business shit in order? Always a work in progress!

Apart from the usual design arsenal of Adobe Creative Cloud, including Illustrator, Indesign & Photoshop, currently I use a combo of these apps to keep me sane:

Toggl - a free time tracking tool. I use this to track time on my projects. It’s free and so perfectly adaptable to anyone’s job number system.

Trello - this has been my go-to for years for managing my projects and tasks. You can make it as simple or complicated as you like and has both free & paid versions. I love the visual overview and the way the cards expand for more info. Attach files for review with ease. There are definitely alternatives that I try out on a regular basis but for now this is the one I keep coming back to!

Slack - for complicated team chat. It allows you to break topics out into “channels” so that you can carry on a conversation without it interfering with or getting lost in the endless text stream!

DropBox - for someone who likes to work from more than one location, this suits my work style brilliantly. They’re always making improvements to their user experience. I love the fact that I always have access to my files! I can go back and look something up for reference without it being buried in some archive drive in the back of a cupboard. I can also use selective sync so that only the files I need on hand are taking up room on my computer!

Rounded Accounting - this is an Australian accounting app that links to your bank feeds, has a beautiful, easy to understand interface and infographics, along with a fantastic responsive support team. I can set up templates, store client information, upload receipts and easily give my accountant a separate login.

Google Apps - great for bits n pieces! I currently use it mainly for client questionnaires & note taking.

Canva - this app is fantastic for creating added consistency across brand & marketing but it also empowers clients to be active in their ongoing communications by creating beautiful, brand aligned templates.

I’m a big advocate of outsourcing areas of your business that are time SUCKING, or don’t bring joy. What skills have you decided are best to outsource?

I’ve given up trying to be a web developer on top of everything else rattling around in my head.

It’s not where my head or heart is at - there are far better people suited to this than I am! My hat comes off to all those who love to look at code. I’ll stick to my love affair with language and visual expression!

What’s been BIG for you in 2020?

Being back in Sydney & joining a new business network group and finding that my message and mission are actually resonating with people.

And not just solo business owners - also larger, more experienced businesses that are struggling with their identity and direction.

Now, more than ever, people are looking for new sources of human connection and purpose. We’re attempting to move towards to ultimate human goal in our work lives; a life of meaning.

What have you spent $100 or less on recently that's made a significant impact on your life and/or work?

Brand archetypes book & cards!

Do you have a favourite quote?

“Be yourself, everyone else is already taken” Oscar Wilde

What’s your d-floor jam?

I have a few! Bonobo. “Groove is in the heart” by Dee-lite. And anything by Queen.

After the false start of 2020, it’s kind of been easy to forget it’s a new decade! What are your plans for the rest of it?

So far, I’ve hit the ground running on this new decade! It’s a scary, unwieldy time but I’m also hopeful that we take some great learnings out of this! There have been opportunities to come out of this with some magnificent positive changes.

For myself, this whole situation with the lockdown has been both stiflingly isolating, but it’s also given me an opportunity to see a way forward that seemed impossible before.

For example, the benefits of a more flexible work / life balance. There is more to offer than the Mon-Fri 9-5 grind! How do we look at this as potential for women/parents to feel like they’re part of something greater than themselves, without feeling as though they have to choose between motherhood or doing something that’s stimulating and gives their life purpose?

They should feel they have choices, without feeling guilty or ashamed for feeling trapped, or as though their efforts have been for naught.

I’m so delighted to have the opportunity to both be a supportive parent as well as doing something with my life that lights me up and fills me with purpose. I’m a big advocate for changing the face of creative work and driving towards a perception of value.

What's one piece of advice you'd like to pass on to other female business owners?

Own your wild and enjoy it!

Us creatives come in all shapes and sizes and all have something unique to offer! I want to inspire people to embrace their unique identities and not be afraid to be different, to be themselves.

It’s a beautiful thing and we don’t have to mimic to be accepted or have joy in our lives.

See more of Elise’s magic at https://passthesalt.com.au/

Have a question? Feel free to get in touch with me

I LOVE helping women in business feel amazing and help them feel on top of their game.

Making you look and feel amazing as you step into your power is the core of what I do.

At Killer Queen, we're here for you every step of the way and want to make your photoshoot as memorable and epic as possible- it's what it's all about.

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Hey, I'm Danee!

I’m a makeup & hair artist and all-round creative with a serious cheese fetish and a hankering for tequila. A badass beauty disruptor and educator with nearly a decade of clocked miles in the beauty industry. I’m a playlist ADDICT who also stans for writing, drawing, inhaling 70s design and 90s pop culture; and have a mad love affair for thrift shopping, sleeping, and going on roadtrips!