We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jess Sato. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jess below.

Jess, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

The short answer to this question is yes, I’m a happy business owner. I’ve been an entrepreneur for a long time now, and I wouldn’t trade the freedom and flexibility that comes with it for anything.

But in answer to the second part of your question, I’d be lying if I said I’ve never thought about what it would be like to have a regular job. Running a business is tough sometimes, especially when you feel overloaded, burned out, or frustrated. There’s always this thought… maybe it would be easier if I just had an office job.

About two years ago, I was really struggling to grow my business. I felt like I was doing all the right things – showing up online, going to networking meetings, talking to people… – but nothing was translating into actual clients. Money was tight. I wasn’t paying myself, and for a second, I thought… what if.

But the truth is, the grass really isn’t greener. After over a decade of running my own business, setting my own schedule, and determining what I work on, I can’t really imagine going back into a corporate job and working for someone else. The thought of it, though, forced me to reflect on exactly why I started my business, what I was trying to create in the world, and the impact I wanted to have. And that shifted me into a powerful, action-centered headspace that allowed me to get back on track and build the thriving coaching and consulting practice I have now.

Jess, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Like a lot of entrepreneurs, I started the business I wish had been available when I was just starting out. When I left corporate life and started my first business, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I could have used someone to guide me through the ins and outs of business, someone to help me lay proper business foundations, and really dig into who I was trying to serve and what I wanted to offer.

In the early stages of my business, I operated without a real strategy and a lot of imposter syndrome. I knew I needed a mentor, but I had no idea where to find one. This was back in the day when coaching really wasn’t a thing.

Fast forward 8 years and a lot of hard lessons learned, Jessica Sato Consulting was born with the goal of helping new entrepreneurs build profitable businesses with strong foundations and predictable profits without fancy technology, expensive ads, or the hustle and grind. I use tried and true business practices to help business owners create an actionable strategy, streamlined systems, and an aligned and authentic marketing strategy.

There’s a lot of misinformation and bad business practices being promoted in the online marketing space, and those practices have led too many people astray. Over the last few years, I’ve helped countless women make the leap from corporate or professional careers to build purpose-driven businesses. I’m incredibly proud of the safe and inclusive space I’ve created for these women as they have laid down strong business foundations, made their first five and six figures, and changed lives in truly inspiring ways. I want to be a safe space for business owners to come as they are, cut through the clutter, and build businesses with impact.

Have you ever had to pivot?

From 2018-2021 I was in a business partnership. During the course of those three and half years, I learned a lot about how to run a business, how to get in front of people, and how to invite clients to work with me. But when you’re in a partnership, you’re never just using your own voice. Everything is a compromise – the message, the way you say it, and how you put things into the world.

In July of 2021, it became clear that it was time for our partnership to end and for us to go our separate ways. We each had different interests and passions, ways we wanted to serve clients, and in some cases, even who those clients were and what stage of business they were at. But separating from a business partner is rarely easy. Over the course of about 6-8 months, we had to divide the business and its assets, wrap up client contracts, and go through the legal process of closing our doors.

Simultaneous to that, I was actively building a new phase of my consulting practice. I had to find my own voice. Craft my own message and offers. And it was absolutely thrilling. I realized quickly, that while I loved the partnership, I also hadn’t been utilizing my voice, and that was a massive shift for me.

Now, I feel like the fullest version of myself, running a business I’m deeply passionate about, and am in service in a way that I had only dreamed about. Change is often hard, but I can say with certainty that it was an absolute game-changer for me and my business.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I love this question. When I first started, everyone said, you’ve got to have a social media presence and that you had to post 3-4 times a day, posting an insane amount of new content, and slowly building an audience.

But something felt off for me. I didn’t know these people. Yes, I was cultivating a relationship with them, but we didn’t really know each other, and for me, the benefit of having a small business, at least in the startup phase, is to know who you’re working with.

So, I got out from behind the computer and met people in person. I started networking and connecting, and it was magical. I met some of the most amazing people, many of whom have become friends, mentors, coaches, and colleagues. That’s also when I started to see my business grow.

Using social media for business growth will likely be a part of your overall strategy, but I don’t subscribe to the “constantly being on social media” philosophy. To be effective on social media, you need to show up consistently, and that will look different for every business. For me, this looks like picking 1-2 platforms, showing up there multiple times a week and offering high-value content that’s of interest to prospective and current clients.

Others may have a different approach and experience, but when I look back at what I was doing 4 years ago, I can’t imagine going back to that pace and posting schedule. I need human connection and my own way. Building a business doesn’t have to be complicated. Using tried and true strategies that leverage your unique voice and big ideas, you can build, launch, and grow a truly profitable, purpose-driven business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessicasato.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicasatocoach
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicasatoconsulting
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jess-sato

Image Credits
Amy Wright