We’re looking forward to introducing you to Jennifer Sabatini. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
“I would say the thing I’m most proud of building—though it isn’t something you can see on a canvas or a wall—is our family and our life together. We’ve been very intentional about creating a life that we don’t feel the need to escape from or a vacation from.
This past year alone we’ve celebrated some incredible milestones: a college graduation for the co-owner of CASual Art Works, our eldest daughter’s wedding, and my father’s 90th birthday.
What stood out to me in those moments wasn’t just the celebrations themselves, but the atmosphere they created. Every gathering was filled with so much faith, love, and genuine joy that everyone—friends, family, in-laws—felt like they truly belonged. I found myself moved to tears as I listened to speeches where people shared how my husband and I had made them feel like family, that they were loved and appreciated, and no one was ever turned away.
That’s what I’m most proud of. I didn’t grow up with this kind of foundation, so my husband and I have spent our adult lives building it intentionally—brick by brick—with our two daughters, their significant others, their friends, and now our extended family. To me, that’s the most meaningful thing we’ve created: a life and a home where people feel loved, welcomed, and celebrated.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Thank you. CASual Art Works was actually born out of both love and necessity. We created it for our youngest daughter, Courtney, who is incredibly talented. With her demanding high school sports schedule, a traditional teenage job wasn’t realistic, and we wanted to encourage her to follow her passions while learning the value of hard work. That’s how CASual Art Works came to life.
Our mission from the beginning has been to provide unique, high-quality gifts, home décor, and branding products for small businesses—everything from employee appreciation gifts and customer loyalty tokens to stands, signage, and custom designs. And we’ve always been intentional about keeping our products affordable so that creativity and personalization can fit within anyone’s budget.
When COVID hit in 2020, and I lost my job due to business closures, I leaned on my 15+ years as a corporate trainer, my long-time love of crafting and creating, along with my background in processing and systems to join Courtney and help grow CASual Art Works. Like so many small businesses, we had to adapt quickly to changing technology and shifting markets. But the one thing that has never changed is our dedication to process, quality, and heart.
What makes our brand truly special is the emotional connection behind every piece. We don’t just design products—we help capture our clients’ visions in a way that reflects who they are. When a customer tears up because the piece we’ve created not only met but exceeded their expectations—when it brings them joy, love, and even a sense of belonging—that’s when we know we’ve done our job well.
And now, one of the most rewarding parts of this journey is seeing Courtney continue to follow her dreams. She’s now working with a home builder in Richmond, VA, using her talents in design and creativity to help others bring their own dream homes to life—another extension of the vision that started with CASual Art Works.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Hmm. That’s such a powerful question. For a long time, I would say I was simply a survivor. My childhood was far from ideal, and because of that, I learned early on to keep people at arm’s length. Trust never came easily, and I lived inside a protective ‘bubble.’
Thankfully, in high school I met the person who would change everything—my husband. We went to different schools but met at church, and from that moment on, he has been my constant source of encouragement and strength, helping me weather every storm life has brought my way.
After college, I was still in survival mode. Just as I graduated, my mother was diagnosed with advanced, inoperable lung cancer and given three months to live. She fought for eighteen months, during which I became her part-time caregiver, worked two jobs, and supported my father. Two years later, my paternal grandmother—my rock, my heart—came to live with me. She passed away from pneumonia just weeks later, and painfully, on the very same date my mother had died two years before. Those losses shook me to my core. And again, my now-husband stood by me through it all.
Professionally, I spent a decade in the financial world before moving into corporate training and teaching continuing education at a community college. One pivotal moment was being asked to teach a Job Readiness course to help people transition off welfare into meaningful careers. That experience ignited something in me—I realized that my purpose on this earth is to help people.
That realization has carried into everything I do now. Whether it’s creating unique gifts and home décor that capture someone’s vision, or helping small businesses grow their brand with custom products, my work has always been about service. It took me until my 40s to fully embrace that truth, but I now know: it doesn’t matter what form it takes, as long as people and places are better after I’ve worked with them. That’s who I’ve always been, before the world told me who I should be.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the deepest wounds of my life was growing up in a dysfunctional home where there was no true sense of safety. I spent much of my childhood feeling like I would never be ‘enough’ in my mother’s eyes. Later, as I became her caregiver during her battle with cancer, there were times when she said things that cut deeply. Yet, on the final night of her life, I sat at her bedside holding her hand, praying the Rosary as she struggled to breathe. I told her it was okay to let go—that I forgave her, that I was sorry her life had been filled with so much unhappiness, and that we had done the best we could. Not long after, she passed away. In my heart, I believe she was waiting for me to say those words before she could finally rest.
I was also at my grandmother’s side when she took her last breath. She had always been my rock, and losing her felt like losing a piece of myself. But in those moments of profound grief, I realized something: God was with me. Even when I thought I had nothing left to give, I felt His presence carrying me.
Through these losses, I learned that while trust may still be difficult for me, forgiveness comes easily. And I’ve come to understand that forgiveness is not about the other person—it’s about freeing yourself. It’s about laying down the weight of anger and walking forward in peace.
What has healed me most has been leaning on my husband, my daughters, and my Faith. Therapy and professional guidance gave me tools to process the pain, but it was prayer, love, and the choice to forgive that kept me from sinking into despair. Today, I live without regret or bitterness—only gratitude for the strength those wounds gave me and the faith that continues to guide me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think my closest friends would say that what matters most to me is authenticity. What you see is truly who I am. I have a big heart, and I strive to make a difference with everyone I meet. My hope is always to empower others—to trust their instincts, chase their dreams, and build a life they don’t feel the need to escape from. At the core, I want people to experience real happiness and peace, and I surround myself with people and places that reflect and encourage that.
My friends would probably also say I’m honest to a fault. If you ask for my opinion, you’ll get the truth—the good, the bad, and the ugly. If you come to me with a goal, I’ll push you to reach it. And if you hit an obstacle, I’ll be right there helping you climb over it, go around it, or push straight through it—but never give up. I always say I’m not a candy maker; I don’t sugarcoat.
They would also tell you that I’m fiercely loyal, deeply independent, and the kind of friend who shows up no matter what. I don’t often ask for help, but if someone I care about is in a bind, they know I’m just one call away. To me, that’s what truly matters—showing up with love, honesty, and loyalty, and helping others believe in themselves along the way.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I would say that what I understand deeply—something many people struggle with—is what it truly means to forgive someone who has hurt you on the deepest levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The kind of brutality that some human beings inflict on others, even children, can leave scars that feel impossible to survive, let alone forgive.
I’ve endured things that many couldn’t imagine, and yet I’ve worked hard not only to survive, but to thrive—to find real happiness after years of darkness, fear, and anxiety. One of my greatest commitments has been to make sure that what happened to me as a child would never touch my daughters. They will never know that pain. No one should.
It has taken immense faith, years of healing, and the unwavering love and support of my husband to give me the space and strength to move forward. And through it all, I’ve learned that forgiveness is not about excusing others—it’s about freeing yourself. Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself so you can put the weight down, leave it in the past, and walk forward in peace.
That, to me, is true freedom: choosing not to let the wounds of the past define you, but instead using them as a source of strength to help others find their own path to healing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/CASualArtWorks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASualArtWorks
- Other: https://share.google/AR9Zb1oduxPWKWLPb
Image Credits
All photos were taken by me.
