5 Years.
This month marks a significant milestone in my life journey as I celebrate five years of the completion of the RYT-200 yoga teacher training AND making the decision to leave corporate America to become a full-time entrepreneur. Upon reflection of these years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the invaluable support and guidance so many in my life have provided along the way. The advice, support, contributions and love have played a pivotal role in the direction my businesses have gone and also in shaping the person I have become. With that, I wanted to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation.
Thank You.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my husband Bob, whose unwavering belief in my abilities and encouragement have been a constant source of support for me – even when he doesn’t understand what I do. 😉 From being able to talk about business ownership, its challenges and rewards, to navigating tricky landscapes with the closure of the franchise consulting business and pandemic – your love and support have been and are a constant in my life that are treasured and for which I am forever grateful.
To my mentors, colleagues, clients, family and friends, thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge with me (specific individuals are highlighted below in no particular order). Your guidance and willingness to invest your time and effort in my growth has been instrumental in helping me navigate through various challenges and decisions. I truly appreciate your dedication to my development in both the professional space and the wellness space. Your mentorship has not only equipped me with valuable skills but has also instilled in me a sense of confidence that empowers me to take on new challenges and experiences. The support, expertise and willingness to collaborate through a variety of situations have not only made the work more enjoyable but have also helped me grow both personally and professionally. I am grateful for the lifelong friendships formed and the knowledge gained through our shared experiences.
For my family and closest friends, you know what a rollercoaster it has been these last five years and from the bottom of my heart…thank you. Your understanding, patience and encouragement, along with your unwavering belief in me, my work and process (hello multipotenialite and renaissance woman!), even during moments of self-doubt, has been the driving force behind my achievements and helped propel me forward at times I thought I might give up. Thank you for standing by me through the ups and downs, and for being my biggest cheerleaders. I am blessed to have you all in my life.
Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to all those who have supported me in ways I may not even be aware of. The mentors I’ve met along the way in various places, the friends I made at networking events and the acquaintances who offered a helping hand or a word of advice along the way – each interaction has left a lasting impression on my journey. Your kindness and generosity have made a difference, and I am grateful for your contributions to my success.
What's next?
The biggest thing I’m working on right now is a book. It's a bit different and will focus more in the wellness and mindfulness space (yoga, mediation, etc.), incorporating my original photographs from around the world. Can’t wait to show it to you all, be on the lookout for teasers coming soon and the release later this summer or early fall.
Additionally, with a thirst for knowledge, I continue to grow my network, book of clients and services. Keep an eye out for announcements and always feel free to look at our services pages for more detailed information or contact Sarah for your free 30-minute consultation to discuss your existing business, startup idea, business-in-box, financing options, online presence, business strategy and more.
As I celebrate this five-year milestone, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude for the incredible individuals who have helped shape my career. From the mentors in the corporate arena (of which there are many), to the those that have come into my life more recently, your impact on my life cannot be overstated, truly and forever grateful. Here's to the next five years of growth, challenges and achievements. I look forward to continuing this incredible journey, armed with the lessons you have taught me.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Special thanks & mentions:
Doris & Artie Fink: Thank you for being my first social media clients, I truly appreciate you trusting me to help grow your online presence. And Doris, what an amazing mentor! I would have lost my sh*t in 2020 if you hadn’t been there to help keep me sane in navigating the changes after PBA closed.
Suzanne Pinto & Samantha Mettler Kowalczyk: Dear friends who have allowed me to help them with their businesses, it has been a true pleasure and it’s so exciting to see their growth these last few years (even through a pandemic!).
Mike Slater: From client to friend to colleague, we have run the gamut and continue to grow and learn from each other. A major thank you for helping with the initial direction of the new SLC logo.
Eric Missbrenner: Your kind ear during the pandemic helped keep me sane, understanding additional aspects of franchising and for helping introduce me to some new folks in the marketing space.
Ruthie Berman: You are such a great connector!!! Thank you for introducing me to Nancy, Tamara and Bhakti Barn!!
Gabby Braddock: Thank you for introducing me to a new way of networking and a community of people are all about supporting each other!!
Betsy Davis: The trip to India has been another pivotal point for me and my journey. The beautiful community you’ve created really shone through during the trip and continues long after. People often talk about the impact of retreats but this pilgrimage was something I feel very fortunate to be able to experience. It helped me connect with an amazing group of ladies, as well as find a new avenue for performing and embracing music through sound bowls and harmonium.
Wendy Gross-Pinto: For creating a yoga teacher training program that allowed me to connect with a side of yoga I hadn’t expected and the flexibility to continue working my corporate job full-time. The added bonus was meeting some amazingly wonderful ladies.
Fowad Abdo: For being such a great friend and colleague, continuing to engage in IT chats to talk out solutions.
Marie Palmer: You are truly an inspiration…watching what you’ve done in your career and being able to discuss the various aspects of startups and business is priceless.
Joe DiCastro: There are too many things but you were there in the beginning, helping me with my original slogan and values for SLC.
Destiny Kitchen, who has become an amazing collaborator!! We do similar work, yet we don't compete and have very similar work ethic and style. She is a beautiful breath of fresh air in a very challenging industry and I highly recommend her work.
Nancy Caroline: It’s so wonderful to be such a part of the amazing RISE community, thank you so much for starting the group, being so available, creating beautiful events and spaces where ladies in the wellness community can network without feeling like they’re at a sales conference.
To all of my clients and franchisors ~ thank you for trusting me and SLC!! We truly enjoy our work with you and believe in our motto:
Service. Loyalty. Compassion – Helping Entrepreneurs at Any Stage.
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