We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Centrella recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I first had the idea for VIVIAMO in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, when I noticed a huge shift in my coaching clients. Before that, most of my private and group coaching clients were women—entrepreneurs, creatives, individuals looking to manifest big life changes. But suddenly, the majority of my new clients were corporate professionals—many of them executives—who were seeking the same personal development tools I’d been teaching for years, but now to help them navigate the pressures of their work environments.

That shift got me thinking: What was happening in corporate culture that was making people turn to me for help? Why were high-level leaders willing to invest in mindset and work-life balance coaching? The more I dug in, the clearer it became—companies were missing a key piece when it came to supporting their teams, especially in a remote or hybrid world. They were investing in leadership training but neglecting the human side of success: mindset, resilience, clarity, and connection.

That’s when I knew this was more than just a trend—this was a need. With the input of several corporate executives on my advisory team, I adapted my personal development coaching—previously designed for individuals—into a powerful framework for corporate teams and leaders. VIVIAMO was built to bridge that gap, bringing transformational mindset coaching into the workplace in a way that builds stronger leaders, more connected teams, and a culture where people actually want to thrive.

Sarah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a three-time bestselling author, master life coach, and the creator of The Centrella Method, my signature coaching system that has helped thousands of people transform their lives. My journey into this work started with my own personal reinvention—learning firsthand how mindset, belief systems, and intentional action can completely change a person’s reality. Over the years, my work evolved from coaching individuals to working with corporate teams, as I saw a growing need for personal development tools within the workplace. That’s what led me to create VIVIAMO, where we equip employees and leaders with powerful strategies to excel at work, thrive at home, and truly love their lives.

At VIVIAMO, we bridge the gap between personal and professional growth. Our programs, like Transformation Bootcamp™, provide simple, repeatable tools to help employees reduce stress, build confidence, and find clarity—skills that don’t just improve performance but also create a more connected, engaged workforce. We focus on mindset training, resilience-building, and practical life skills, all designed to foster a culture where both individuals and teams can thrive. Unlike traditional corporate training, our approach is deeply personal, actionable, and rooted in real transformation.

What sets my work apart is that it’s not just theory—it’s proven. I’ve been coaching it for over a decade, written multiple books on it and have done several case studies to show it’s results. I’ve helped countless people manifest their dream careers, build businesses, and create lives they truly love. I’m most proud of the impact this work has had, not just for individuals but also for the teams and leaders we coach. When people are given the right tools to grow, both their lives and their workplaces change for the better. My mission is to make personal development an essential part of professional success—because when people thrive personally, they show up as their best selves in every aspect of life.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting has been a constant theme in my journey as an entrepreneur. When I left my corporate sales career in 2017 to start my coaching practice, I had no clients, no business experience, and no idea how to make it work. That first year, I barely made any money, and by year three, I had overextended myself with big ideas that I didn’t yet have the revenue to support. I had to file for bankruptcy—a crushing setback after years of rebuilding my finances following my divorce. As a single mom supporting three kids, there were so many moments I wanted to quit. But I believed in the work I was doing, and that belief kept me going.

Just as I started to find my rhythm, the pandemic hit, forcing me to cancel all my in-person events—another huge financial blow. But that challenge pushed me to pivot again, shifting my coaching business fully online. That transition turned out to be a blessing in disguise, allowing me to reach more clients than ever before. Then came another shift—focusing on VIVIAMO and working with corporate teams, which brought its own set of new challenges. Every pivot has tested me, but each one has also led to unexpected opportunities and growth.

The truth is, running a small business is filled with unseen struggles, setbacks, and obstacles. But if you have a clear vision of what you’re building and why it matters, those challenges are far outweighed by the incredible highs—the moments when you see the impact of your work and realize you’ve created something that is a true reflection of you. It’s not easy, but it’s absolutely worth it.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When I first started my coaching practice, I built my entire audience through Instagram, Facebook, and my original blog. These platforms were game-changers for me—I was able to connect with people, share my message, and eventually turn that into a thriving business. But social media has changed drastically since 2010. With ever-shifting algorithms, it’s nearly impossible to reach your audience organically without paying for ads. That’s why I no longer believe you can build a sustainable business by relying solely on social media.

My biggest advice? Focus on growing your email list. It’s the only marketing asset you truly own, and for me, it’s where the majority of my paying clients come from—aside from referrals. Social platforms can disappear, restrict your reach, or change overnight, but your email list is yours forever. Recently, I’ve also started using Substack, which feels like a refreshing shift. It allows me to own my audience without ads or algorithm interference, and my content never disappears. I’ve been excited to return to blogging and am now transitioning my focus there, rather than trying to play the social media game.

If you’re just starting out, use social media as a tool to drive people to something you own—your email list, your website, or your Substack. Create valuable content, build real connections, and make sure you have a direct way to communicate with your audience that doesn’t depend on a third-party platform. That’s the key to long-term success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.viviamoco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahcentrella/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcentrella/
• Other: https://sarahcentrella.substack.com
  https://www.sarahcentrella.com

Image Credits

I have the rights to all but the one of me on stage, that one should credit @jaridscottjohnson