Where Passion Meets Purpose: The Why (and Who) Behind I Before E

Welcome to I Before E!

My name is Sara Mecham—and no, I’m not an editor, although the business name definitely would make sense for being one! If you’ve landed on this site, chances are you already know a little bit about me. But here are some quick (and maybe unexpected) details to help you get to know the person behind the brand:

• I was born and raised in Utah but have also lived in Arizona and California.

• I’m absolutely obsessed with the ocean—leaving California was not easy.

• I’m the youngest of nine! (Technically eight half-siblings and one full brother.)

• That brother was just 14 months older than me. We grew up like twins, and losing him in early 2018 was one of the biggest turning points in my life. I have a tattoo with our astrology signs and childhood favorite colors in his memory.

• I have two other tattoos: one co-designed with a close friend as a way to stay connected when we moved apart, and one that I call my mile marker—a permanent reminder of a moment when everything finally started shifting for good.

• I married my husband in a cozy “COVID wedding” in the fall of 2020. We share our home with two cats, a dog, and a shared love of travel—our favorite destination so far is the Oregon coast.

Newport, OR

In terms of education and career:

• I hold an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in Marriage and Family Studies, plus multiple certifications through BYU in the same field.

• I’m a Certified Family Life Educator, which means I provide education and tools to support healthy relationships and mental wellness. I’m not a therapist, but my work often sits right next to that lane.

• I’ve always been drawn to branding, marketing, and business development—especially for small businesses. Before heading back to school, I worked with three different companies to complete brand refreshes and discovered how much I love strengthening those foundational elements. While studying and working in family science, I carved out time (and electives) to dive deeper into this passion, which ultimately led to the creation of I Before E.
  

  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  
  

For those who love personality frameworks & more, here's a few other things to know about me:

• I’m a Projector in Human Design.

• I’m a Sagittarius (you’ll find that in my mile marker tattoo too).

• I call myself an “Omnivert” because I leave social situations feeling both drained and recharged—don’t ask me how it works.

• I’m a spooky soul; autumn is my favorite season, and I start getting excited for it every April.

• I’m also part of the 1 in 6 who experience infertility. If you’re in that same space, please know you're not alone—even when it feels like it. And if you ever need someone who truly gets it, my door is always open to you.

  
  

Thanks for stopping by! I Before E is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of how I believe internal clarity and grounded identity can shape everything we build externally. If something here resonates with you, whether you’re a fellow creative, an overthinker, a business owner, or just someone figuring things out as you go, I’d love to hear your story!

Let’s set up a coffee chat so we can connect and talk about the amazing work you’re doing!

All my best,

Sara Mecham

Your Brand Strategy Bestie