Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Clark-Williams.
Sara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I became an entrepreneur in February 2008, while still at my corporate job in Organizational Development. In 2004, I had graduated with my Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and found myself in a very high-tech, corporate environment where, although I learned a lot and expanded my capabilities, I was ready to make a much bigger, more meaningful impact in people’s lives.
I observed that other women struggled with satisfaction and fulfillment in their life and work, but seemed to be stuck- even those who were practiced at goal setting and managing projects in their professional sphere. As I felt the pull for more, I knew how to move through that and create a plan, something I learned later, not everyone is gifted at. These women needed and were asking for support and guidance!
After several months of researching options within my field and learning more about myself, I made the decision to focus my work on coaching and personal development for women. On lunch hours, evenings and weekends I developed my business plan, processes, branding, and coached my first set of clients. That’s what led me to leave my corporate job in 2008 and build my first business, Launch Your Life.
In the first few years, I learned so much about entrepreneurship and developed a unique coaching process and program, a solid client base, signature workshops, private coaching client arrangements, and a Life Plan workbook. I was profitable from year 1 and continued to build on that.
After a few years, I started seeing a big need with other women entrepreneurs, who at the time were over half of my clients. They were looking for ways to simplify the process of growing their business and were overwhelmed and frustrated. They were passionate about growing their business and helping their clients, but despite being busy they still weren’t getting the results they wanted. They struggled with setting a clear direction for their business, breaking down larger goals, and structuring their business in a way that would support their goals and their lifestyle.
They felt something was missing but weren’t sure what it was and were unclear how to grow their business. I supported my fempreneur clients to have breakthrough moments and start seeing much more visible progress. They were able to not only make more money, they were impacting their clients in a bigger way.
Meanwhile, there was a gap in the market for service-based women entrepreneurs – there were programs and some mastermind groups out there, but they were less female-friendly. Many did not feel inclusive or accessible from a social or financial standpoint. My clients and connections needed guidance and accountability in a way that felt doable and supportive.
These experiences, results, and insights led me to start Fab Fempreneurs in November 2012. I learned so much in my first business- what to do and what not to do – that I grew the business very quickly and developed our foundational tool- the Fab 4 Formula to be in the Sweet Spot of your business.
Has it been a smooth road?
Three and a half years later entering 2016, I had a grown a successful business- working with entrepreneurs from different industries, developed programs, tools, and create leverage with the group and virtual offerings. I saw a solid cash flow projection for 6-7 months out, so I felt comfortable- too comfortable. In hindsight, I started focusing too much time on special projects that would offer long-term growth but slowed current marketing efforts significantly.
A few months later it was the perfect storm. My monthly revenue dropped by 75% over a 5-week period when two groups ended, and two private clients had family emergencies and had to discontinue services. Simultaneously, I found out that a long-term friendship of 14 years was dissolving. It was painful, overwhelming, and scary. It was also a pivotal growth season for me personally and in business.
During this period, I did all that I could to keep moving forward even if it felt like one tiny step forward. With all the change I felt that something exciting was on the horizon and I needed to embrace whatever process this was. Amidst this summer, I ran my first half marathon which challenged me physically but even more so mentally, revealing I was capable of more than I ever knew. It was a stretch experience!
Late August I was compelled to rewrite my vision for my business and really think deeply about my direction, and that’s when my vision expanded larger than ever before. Big goals were born that day. It took time to climb out of that valley but looking back over almost 2 years now, I’m grateful for the experiences and the lessons. To grow our BUSINESS and upgrade to our next level, WE must also. Sometimes there are little nudges to adjust, but then sometimes there are big, challenging events that compel you to make a change.
Of course, I learned the big business lesson of always keeping marketing as a top priority even when projected cash flow is solid. More than ever I deeply understand the importance of surrounding yourself with growth-minded, big thinkers, who are mutually positive and supportive of you and your goals. They challenge you while holding space for you in the context of growth. They are forthright with you even if it’s difficult. Cherish those people.
Likewise, when you’re going through a difficult time, trust that it’s FOR you, not TO you, and embrace the process of the UPGRADE! You will get through it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fab Fempreneurs – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Fab Fempreneurs is all about leading female entrepreneurs to the sweet spot of their business where they get the greatest results with the greatest ease. This is the place where you’re experiencing the most financial success, fulfillment, focus, freedom and fun in life and business. This is the foundation for our work- we understand women especially want more than money, are ready to make a bigger difference, yet are often overwhelmed or unclear about how to go about that.
We specialize in supporting service-based fempreneurs to get clarity on their own definition of success, create a doable plan to reach goals, and implement their plan in a way that allows them to Accomplish, Contribute, and Experience (A.C.E.) more than they thought possible. We work with two primary groups of women entrepreneurs – those who are builders in their first few years of business who may have some areas of success and experience with clients and setting up some systems but know that there are big gaps that need to be filled to really grow.
The other group are the upgraders – those who have been in business for more than a few years, have established a solid foundation and are ready to build and scale. Many are pursuing a bigger vision and ready to make a bigger impact and reach a next-level revenue goal.
We provide the following core options for support and guidance:
• Private and group coaching programs
• UPGRADE Mastermind program
• The Sweet Spot Membership Club (online business coaching, tools, and community)
• Fempreneur Fest (and annual business retreat)
Key focus areas of support include Revenue generation, marketing and sales strategies, goal-setting, business vision, passion and fulfillment, leadership, designing and pricing service offerings, building capacity through systems and delegation, self-leadership, and pivoting in business.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
As a native San Diegan, I love the wide range of hiking trails throughout the county. It’s amazing to not have to travel too far to be smack in the middle of nature. Thankfully, most trails are well-marked and maintained, allowing safe access to the landscape and scenery including my favorite- waterfalls!
San Diego is also very philanthropic with many active and responsible community and faith-based organizations doing good. Homelessness and animal welfare are causes dear to my heart.
On the flip side, while transportation and traffic have improved slightly with the coastal train, carpooling expansions, and additional lanes on freeways, the pace of growth and development seem to outpace our capacity to meet it. As a business owner and entrepreneur, these factors influence decisions about whether to attend events or patron certain areas and establishments, impacting business overall.
Pricing:
- Book a Private Coaching Consultation, ONLY $197
Contact Info:
- Address: 5205 Avenida Encinas #A Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Website: https://fabfempreneurs.com/
- Phone: 760-650-6354
- Email: sara@fabfempreneurs.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FabFempreneurs
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FabFempreneurs
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
