Ep. 013 - Embracing Change with Sarah Elder

In this super candid, real AF episode, we sit down with Sarah Elder, a seasoned entrepreneur, executive coach, and former CEO who led a $20M art consulting company. With over 20 years of experience, Sarah’s journey from being the first employee of a small firm to overseeing a 100-person organization gives her unique insights into building, scaling, and leading businesses. She navigated major transitions, including acquisitions, the loss of a beloved founder, and the devastating impact of COVID-19. Now, as an executive coach and business consultant, she is dedicated to helping women founders and executives break free from patriarchal programming and achieve success on their own terms.

Known for her no-bullshit approach and deep empathy, Sarah shares candid advice on the often unspoken challenges of leadership, particularly for women. She emphasizes the importance of embracing your strengths as a female leader, rather than trying to emulate men, and offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and balancing personal and professional life. She believes that having a strong support system—whether through coaches, mentors, or peer groups—is essential to navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Change is inevitable in entrepreneurship; learning to navigate it is crucial.
• Women leaders should embrace their strengths rather than trying to emulate men.
• Self-care and setting boundaries are essential for managing multiple life changes.
• Having a support system, including coaches and peer groups, is vital for entrepreneurs.
• It's okay to not have all the answers and to take time to make decisions.

DISCUSSION TIMELINE:

• 05:07 Navigating Leadership Transitions
• 10:02 The Gender Dynamics in Business
• 14:54 Lessons Learned from Change
• 19:47 Building Support Networks
• 24:59 Self-Care and Prioritization
• 30:08 Strategies for Managing Change
• 35:13 Top Hacks for Handling Change

CONNECT WITH SARAH ELDER:

Website: www.sarahelder.com
Sarah on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sarelder
Sarah on Instagram: www.instagram.com/coachsarahelder

HOST INFO:
Hi, y'all! I'm Raven O'Neal, a diversely curious serial entrepreneur with over a decade of experience. But the fun doesn't stop there. I'm also a mentor, wife, mother, and business expert. I see my business as an extension of all my personal and professional life experiences, embracing growth and learning from a few fumbles along the way.

Throughout my business journey, I've supported over 500 female-led startups, advised more than 200 founders 1:1, and played a role in facilitating over $100M in funding. My calling is to help women transform their businesses and lives through collaboration and partnerships. I look forward to being with you every step of the way on your journey to growth and transformation. If you want to join the conversation, be sure to hit Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

⁠www.hackingthepatriarchypodcast.com