I have tried to write this about three times now so hopefully third time is the charm.
In a nutshell.
At the end of August I will be stepping back from my business and closing it down for an indeterminate amount of time so that I can follow my passions to a career that I truly love.
(If you don’t want the long story but would like to learn about what this change means for you (i.e. super discounts) skip down to the last section.)
Here’s the longer story.
As many of you know I attended the World Domination Summit this year in Portland and it was an amazing experience. I was surrounded by amazing people doing amazing things and I got really excited about my future, but not necessarily about my business. I came to realize (what I had actually figured out a while back) that although I LOVE my clients and the Creatives that I work with I don’t necessarily LOVE what I do for them.
I tried switching it up and I started offering new services, like social media focused strategies, and other ways for me to enjoy what I was doing, like consulting and speaking, but it all just seemed like I was trying to make something fit that just doesn’t seem to fit. Why has it been so hard for me to market my new services if it’s what I really want to do? Why does the thought of checking my email every day make me feel nauseous? Maybe I just wasn’t trying hard enough, or maybe I was just putting effort into something that really didn’t fit me or feed my soul.
Throughout July I began to realize that my passion doesn’t necessarily lay in my current business model. I have decided that I need to take a step back and evaluate what I really want out of my career and my life. I want to find something that lights me up on the inside the same way that I saw in the attendees at WDS. I want to feel like what I am doing makes me feel complete and doesn’t take away time that I have with my family. I want balance and freedom and importance.
Do I know where my passions actually are hiding or how I am supposed to find them to create my dream career? Ummmmm, no…which is why this is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Going out into the world to find my true passions and leaving behind a successful and lucrative business seems a bit ridiculous to me on one hand, but on the other hand I can’t see myself being unhappy in a business that I feel like I “should” really love. There is even the chance that I will step back, try some things and then realize that this business really is where my heart is if I tweak it “just enough” to make it really gel with what I want out of my career. Who knows. I may end up being a fry cook on Mars or owning a cupcake truck driving around downtown Cincinnati….
This is a good thing.
After talking with my friends and clients I’ve come to realize this is just another step on my journey. I will use all of the knowledge and all of the amazing friendships and connections that I acquired over the past few years and go out and find something I love. I never would have found many of the friends and connections I now have if I hadn’t started this business three years ago so this business has made a lasting impact on me and how I see myself now. YOU are so important to me so I want you to know that I could not have created this business by myself so I will forever remember your willingness to put your trust in me.
What does this mean for you?
Mostly it means that I will not be available for new clients and I will most likely be pretty quiet in your email and on the blog (not that I’ve been a super noisy voice in your inbox lately).
What it also means is some exciting “Sara is Going to Find her Passion” discounts!
If you want to get your online marketing strategy pulled together, this is the month to do it. I will be open until the end of August so if you have been dragging your feet waiting for the best time to get your online marketing strategy pulled together by my awesomeness, this is that time. I am also dropping the price down to a super cheap $100 (originally $247) so there really isn’t any reason not to get your plan of attack up and running this month. Click here for more info.
ALSO starting today I will have my ebook, The Chocolate Banana Workbook, up for a crazy discount of $10 (originally $47). If you have been waiting for a good time to start getting your big delicious ideas off the ground and start planning to make them happen, now is the time to pick up the Banana. The sale ends on August 31st and then the ebook will be shelved, maybe to never be released again or maybe to be revamped once I figure out my new direction. Either way, it’s a good idea to pick up a copy now instead of later. Click here for more info.
FYI, If you already have the ebook but you still want to help my family eat something other than Ramen Noodles for the next few months, you can always donate to the “Help Sara Feed Her Child Fund” by sending me a gift through PayPal… ; )
Thanks so much for being awesome and understanding how important it is for me to follow where my true passions lead me and I hope that no matter what my next chapter holds you will be a part of my journey.
PS: Don’t forget to check out the discounts. They are there as thank you gifts for you so I hope you take advantage of them if you have been waiting for the perfect time.
I think it’s awesome that you’re taking a risk like this and trying to find what lights you up. Most people never would because it’s too scary. But you? You’re taking it all on and that’s awesome. I can’t wait to see where your path takes you!
Thanks so much Brandi! It’s totally a scary step! It’s been so interesting to talk with people and hear that a lot of people have gone through a shift like this. It really makes me feel good that there have been so many courageous people who have stepped out of the box and created wonderful soul-feeding careers because of it so it gives me hope that I’ll find something just as awesome! : )
Sara, You are brave and courageous. Congrats for doing what you know is best for your heart and soul. Namaste.
Awww, thanks Cindy! “Courageous” was totally not in my self description until our retreat so I owe all of the Chautauqua Seven a big thank you for helping me see how courageous I really am and for giving me the push to go out and find what I really want for my life. : ) Hugs!
Good luck as you take these next steps. I hope you find the thing that makes your heart SING!!!
Awww thanks so much Cindy! I’m really excited to see where this takes me!
Sara, you rock. Yes, you do. You rock. Not many people have the courage to leave a good job to step into the unknown. A few years ago, I left a career of almost two decades to take a similar leap of faith: I left journalism to become a teacher. I have no regrets.
So I’m very happy for you—and excited for you!—but I’m also sad that we won’t be in regular contact anymore. My office administration students up here in Canada, who have benefited from your Skyped-in career presentation every semester, will miss out big time. You have served as a huge inspiration to them as you have opened their eyes to new opportunities that they would have never imagined. So, thanks, Sara. Thanks for being zany, fun, off the wall, and for generously giving your time.
I’m going to miss you. Please let us all know the next time you catch a wave.
Oh Frank! Thank you so much for this! I am always up for speaking with your class about how to start up and I could be a good example of what not to do now! ; ) hehe
Don’t be a stranger and I hope to stay in contact when I finally figure out where I belong in the world! : )