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Conversations with the Inspiring Sarah Branner

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Branner.

Sarah, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated from Radford University (VA born & raised) with a degree in Communication and a minor in Business. I studied public relations and marketing but never thought I’d use it, as my highest aspiration at the time was to be a celebrity’s assistant. I liked being on the go, as staying busy for me is a must, and at the time it just made sense. After trying to figure out what I wanted to do for a few years after graduating, and doing in and out jobs like nannying, waitressing, and administrative work, I was given the opportunity to intern at a remote PR & Marketing firm. At the time I thought I had hit the jackpot, because being able to work from home was the dream.

After four months of interning with no pay, I was hired at the agency which I continued to work for an additional four years. I gained so much knowledge there and for that, I am forever grateful, but after completing my YTT certification (yoga certified) in the Fall of 2018, I decided it was time for a career change. I wasn’t satisfied working for someone who determined my worth and controlled my schedule. So, I began advancing my studies in Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science), and teaching yoga on the side which happened to lead me to a part-time marketing opportunity that I took on during the Spring/Summer of 2019.

Honestly, the hustle was very real for four months, with a full-time job, part time job, yoga and school, I began to realize that my studies had to come first, as becoming an Ayurvedic Practitioner is my future. In the Fall of 2019, I decided to leave my full-time job at the agency to become an independent contractor offering my services to small businesses looking to improve their overall marketing growth and strategy. In my opinion, marketing should be like a wellness plan, designed to fit your business’s specific needs, and I like providing that to my clients.

In the meantime, I am still in school finishing up my degree to become an Ayurvedic Health Counselor (Spring 2020) and will continue on to become a practitioner in the Spring of 2021. So really, my journey is just getting started (and I hope you’ll follow along with me!) I look forward to the day I am able to help people find happiness in life by becoming balanced mentally and physically, so by the time they’re 80 years old, they feel 70.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think when you’re trying to build a business or really, your life for that matter, it’s never going to be a smooth road. There will always be obstacles, but it’s how you take on those obstacles that determines your outcome. As far as my own struggles go, I believe finding my confidence was a big one and realizing my self-worth. If I’m being honest, some of those things I’m still working on.

I think my biggest advice is don’t turn down opportunities until really thinking them through. Even if you feel like you can’t take anything else on. With school, a full-time job and teaching yoga, I could have easily turned down the part-time opportunity, but I decided to go for it because I could always adjust. If I had let it go, the opportunity might not have presented itself again. And please don’t mistake this advice for overworking yourself because you will burnout. I just believe everyone should really time batch things out and see where they are, and what they’re really spending their time on. Then adjust and improve.

Also, you NEVER know what might come out of contact or connection you know. So use your connections and make new ones! Since moving to Denver I’ve met so many amazing people who I definitely credit part of my successes. Denver is such an amazing city due to the creative minds that inhabit here, which is why I always suggest going to meet-ups and panels.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in small business marketing. An overview includes:
Strategize quarterly marketing plans
Strategize, write, design and implement various marketing campaigns – Including various buyers’ journey’s
Plan and draft social media calendars – Weekly, monthly, quarterly
Email marketing creation and management (CRM Management)
Website management
Content creation

I believe the main reason I’m successful is that I practice good time management. Working for yourself (and from home) can be difficult, and when there isn’t anyone there holding you responsible, it can be easy to forget your “to do” list. I suggest planning out your days in advance, so you know what you need to do that week. And most importantly, hold yourself accountable.

I’m proud to be able to help small businesses succeed in their own journey. It’s truly amazing what marketing can do for a business – the results you can see in such a short period of time if you just make the right moves. I read recently, that even in a recession, marketing is a trade that never dies because people always need it, and I might be biased, but I couldn’t agree more. To me, marketing a staple for a business’s success.

I believe my frank personality sets me apart from others. I am very honest and I believe that shines through. Honesty is key in any relationship and being able to tell clients what you think (respectfully and professionally) can really drive a business forward.

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I personally believe women are positioned for any opportunity they set their minds to, but at the same time, I also believe women are really well-positioned for the wellness industry, which covers a broad spectrum of topics. I think it’s the perfect industry for women to help other women. Lifting them up and letting them know they aren’t alone in whatever they are going through.

I think the world is consumed with a lot of hate right now, and the biggest thing we need to do collectively, is love. Love one another as hard as we can. When we begin to put ourselves aside to help and love others, that’s when we’ll really begin to help and heal ourselves.

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Image Credit:
Rachael SaBell Photography – Instagram: roo_photographs

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