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

Alright, Sabrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me came from Ms. Phyllis Everette of the Saffron Trust in Austin, Texas. From the moment we met, she saw something in my work—something worth championing, supporting, and sharing with the world. She didn’t just believe in me; she made others believe too. She introduced me to key people, helped me secure funding, and within six months of knowing her, we were traveling to London and Paris together, alongside other women leaders, to experience art that spoke to our souls.

That trip was more than just an opportunity—it was a revelation. I felt, for the first time, the power of true women’s solidarity in a way I hadn’t known I needed. As an entrepreneur, I had often felt like I was moving through uncharted territory alone, but Phyllis made sure I wasn’t. She brought me into a sisterhood of visionary women who uplifted one another, who understood the weight of our work, and who reminded me that I didn’t have to carry it all by myself.

Her belief in me has propelled my work in ways I could never have imagined. But more than that, her friendship has reminded me of the power of community, of being seen, and of the unstoppable force that is a woman who refuses to let another woman walk alone.

Sabrina, 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 Sabrina, the founder of EquityThroughArt, and my journey has been shaped by a lifelong commitment to art, education, and community. British-born, I’ve spent the last 13 years in Texas, but my career has taken me across the world. I’ve taught for 20 years in Egypt, Qatar, and Thailand, and now I’m a professor of art history in Austin. My time as a senior educator at the Art Institute of Chicago, where I chaired the Equity Steering Committee, allowed my work to coalesce into what it is today—a fusion of cultural reflection, art-based dialogue, and social impact. My PhD research focused on cultural self-reflection, and that deeply informs the intention behind my work.

EquityThroughArt creates transformative art experiences that invite people into brave conversations about self-compassion, grief, empathy, and systemic issues. Whether it’s a slow-looking session in a museum, an immersive storytelling workshop, or an intimate gathering where art becomes a bridge to vulnerability, my work helps people connect with themselves and others on a profound level. I specialize in curating experiences that center personal reflection, healing, and dialogue—helping participants move beyond intellectual understanding to a more felt, embodied connection with art and each other.

What sets EquityThroughArt apart is the depth of the experiences we offer. This isn’t about passive art appreciation—it’s about active engagement, personal transformation, and community-building through creativity. I work with individuals, organizations, and institutions that are ready to use art as a catalyst for deeper conversations and meaningful change.

One of the things I’m most proud of is how my work fosters connection in ways people don’t always expect. I’ve seen participants break through emotional barriers, rediscover lost parts of themselves, and find solidarity in shared experiences. It’s about creating space for people to feel seen, heard, and valued—not just in the art world, but in their own lives.

For those interested in EquityThroughArt, I want them to know that this work is about more than just art—it’s about using creativity to build community, to heal, and to navigate the complexities of our personal and collective stories. Whether you’re an individual seeking deeper self-understanding or an organization looking to create more meaningful engagement, my work is here to guide that journey.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I had to walk away from what I considered my dream job at the Art Institute of Chicago. It was a lifelong goal—I had worked so hard to get there, and when I finally arrived, I felt like I had ‘made it’. But less than a year into my role, everything changed. I had to move back to Austin, leaving behind not just a job, but a vision I had for my future. I felt embarrassed, like I had failed—not just myself, but my family, my colleagues, and everyone who had believed in me. I had uprooted my entire life for an opportunity that, in the end, didn’t last.

To say I had to ‘pivot’ doesn’t even begin to capture what the next four years felt like. I spiraled into a COVID-era fog of depression and grief over the work I had lost. I went through jobs that drained me, sent out endless applications, sat through stressful interviews, and wrestled with feelings of fragility and self-doubt. It felt like I was grasping for something I couldn’t quite reach—trying to find a way back to myself.

Then, in 2024, I did something small but incredibly brave. I went to an event that brought together other creatives. I met women who were building businesses, organizing communities, making art, and carving their own paths. And something clicked. I thought, ‘That could be me!’

That moment changed everything. I realized that my work didn’t have to be defined by an institution, a company, a title, or a 9-to-5 job. I had the power to shape it into whatever I wanted it to be. That realization became the foundation for what I do now—creating EquityThroughArt, a business rooted in my values, my experiences, and my own vision of what meaningful, transformative work looks like.

Losing my dream job at the Art Institute felt like the biggest failure of my life. But now, I see that it was never the end of the story—it was just the beginning of something I hadn’t yet imagined.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Growing my clientele has been an ongoing, hands-on process. In under a year, I’ve personally met with over 100 people—not just quick introductions, but in-depth, one-on-one visits to art museums where I could show them what my work looks like in action. That might not seem like a huge number, but when you’re selling an experience rather than a product, explanation alone isn’t enough—you have to create a moment where people feel the impact of the work.

This approach has led me to connect with an incredibly diverse range of people—leaders in education, nonprofits, the arts, mental health, law, and even corporate spaces like Whole Foods. Because my work is so widely applicable, I knew I couldn’t rely on a single industry; I had to cast a wide net, meet people in different fields, and demonstrate the power of art as a tool for connection, healing, and transformation.

A major part of this strategy has been LinkedIn. Every two weeks, I sent out 200 cold messages to people I thought might be interested—or who knew people who might be interested. It was slow at first, but little by little, it started to snowball. Word of mouth picked up, and my name and brand began circulating organically.

Now, I’m focusing on how to make social media work for me so I can scale this kind of outreach online. But for anyone starting out, my biggest advice is to use LinkedIn—not just to find clients, but to meet potential collaborators, expand your network, and get your name out there. Even if a conversation doesn’t lead to an immediate sale, every new connection is an opportunity to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.equitythroughart.com
• Instagram: @equitythroughart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-phillips07

Image Credits

Tanezha Guillmet