Entrepreneurship is RAW.
It’s real and it’s not always easy. I get it.
Admittedly, There have been days I felt alone, overwhelmed and isolated in my own mess, but it's still a journey I am not willing to give up.
- Sara
(This is a picture of my boutique outdoor retail storefront, the day I opened in 2005)
Meet Sara
Business Strategist & Coach, Speaker
- Small Business Operational Efficiency Leader
- Leadership & Team Developer, Adult Educator
- Award-winning Entrepreneur
- Small Business Growth Strategist
- Mentor, Trusted Advisor
- Certified Business & Executive Coach
- Business Skills Trainer
- Succession Planning Consultant, Business Broker
- Mom and rider of ski slopes
Sara is passionate about entrepreneurship. A certified Business and Executive Coach, Business Consultant, and Trainer with over 30 years' experience maximizing organizational performance through Planning, Leadership, Operational Management and Effective Communication.
As a business broker, Sara learned quickly how to evaluate a business to look at the whole picture; pitfalls and potential. Creating custom solutions to meet the opportunity, her experience has crossed a multitude of industries including, but not limited to; Professional Service Providers (Dental, Legal, Medical), Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Renewable Energy, Retail, Tourism, and Non-Profits, while communicating with all levels of organization; from Boards of Directors, CEOs to front line employees and stakeholders.
An entrepreneur herself, Sara was corporate trainer (Leadership and Sales) in the telecom industry, before she ventured into entrepreneurship in 2005 as an independent Specialty Outdoor Retailer. From a great idea in an open market in a small town, Sara drew on her past experiences to create a culture and service offering that was lacking. Managing a boutique retail store and owning one are completely different experiences. Just like everyone else, Sara learned lessons. In 2008, she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year and has been recognized for her involvement with the business community as an advocate and mentor. Giving back, Sara is an active volunteer and also sits on a number of Non-Profit and Charity Boards.
After exiting her dream business in 2010, Sara wanted to share what she learned and became a certified Business and Executive Coach. Also taking on an opportunity to work as a business broker (selling businesses) for 4 years- during a recession. Sara found it heartbreaking to see entrepreneurs reach out for the wrong help; often too late, just because they did not know. Confused and unprepared, just like she was. Many more lessons to share.
Preferring to look at the opportunities, she focused her consulting firm to helping entrepreneurs and non-profits to realize success in growth. She loves to dream big and look at the whole picture to set a plan in motion. She has a true soft spot for the startup dream and commercializing innovation.
The Evalu8 Framework is her personal checklist for growth strategies, succession planning, and crisis management. Living for the “aha” moments, when it all clicks for the entrepreneur, Sara’s goal is to help entrepreneurs roadmap their own businesses. Setting them up for success with the ability to make informed decisions and pivot to increase their business value and to reach operational effectiveness.
As a Coach, Sara is asking the tough (not always popular) questions that move businesses and entrepreneurs forward. As a Strategist, she’s got the big picture and a toolbox to get an action plan started. The magic is always in the planning.
Happiest when she is talking business, brainstorming big ideas and pulling together an epic plan – OR - getting an adrenaline fix on the ski slopes, making sure her kids don't get to bottom before her!
Current Involvement
Thought Leader, Member of Forbes Coaches Council
Founding Partner, Growth10
Board of Directors, Albert County Chamber of Commerce (Board of Trade)
- Provincial Advisory Committee NB - Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
Board of Directors, John Howard Society of Southeastern New Brunswick (Charity)
Business Growth Strategist, Innov8 Consulting, founder, since 2010
Succession Planning Consultant, CBI Business Transitions, since 2011
- (Associate Business Broker 2011-2015)
Associate, LearnSphere Canada
Mentor, Furturpreneur, since 2015
Mentor, The Forum, since 2021
Member, WEConnect International
Partners Make all the difference!
Click here if you'd like to learn more about we can work together.So, why should you TRUST Me?
I've been where you are... I have the scars to prove it. I have started and managed my own businesses from idea to exit, and I have had the opportunity to work with thousands of entrepreneurs, just like you, through the good, bad and ugly.
Okay, here's the big one. I am genuinely passionate about this. It's not just words on a website. I am constantly impressed and amazed at the entrepreneurial spirit, innovation and drive for betterment. It lights me up!
I see my role as an advocate for the business.
I've often said, my business was the child that would never grow up and leave home. Oddly enough, it was also the child that I neglected the most because it didn't always scream the loudest and it definitely wasn't telling me what was wrong.
Entrepreneurship is a balancing act. Life does not have it's own lane running parallel to your business and its needs. But, the business needs are real and you have the opportunity to choose to be strategic.
I am NOT going to sugar coat anything.
Check out my interview below with Tosh Taylor, Albert County Chamber of Commerce.
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