Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Cox. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sara, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I am very happy as a business owner. My father is an entrepreneur so I grew up seeing the good and the bad of owning your own business. My father is a home inspector. I remember very well the stress of the recession on him and his business. But I also remember that he was able to be there for everything, because he created his own schedule. My mom always had a full time office job so I know that has always kept them financially stable, and allowed my dad to start his business. I remember how hard the first few years were on him, and remember that he was able to pursue his business, because of my mom. I think watching him, is really what has made my experience different. I have always had someone who knows the struggles and rewards of owning your own business to look up to and talk to whenever I need. When I started, I had no idea that is what I was doing. I was just sharing something I loved and it rolled into a full fledged business. Looking back, I’m not sure how I even got to where I am, but I cannot imagine doing anything else and being this happy. I feel my truest self when I am in the kitchen or planning and executing an event. There is no way I would be in the position I am without the support of my parents and their guidance over the last few years. Having a CPA for a mother and a small business owner for a father has definitely helped me in more ways than one.

I do not wonder what it would be like to have a regular job, because right now I still do. Monday through Friday I am working from 9am to 5pm every day, after work is when I pursue my own business goals. Instead I often wonder what it would be like to take the leap and only work for myself. I am very fortunate to have ended up working for someone who has been nothing but supportive of my business, and excited for me and the opportunities Sarandipity has presented. I have been able to ask my boss about a lot of different aspects related to my business and am always given great advice. I take his advice very seriously. I hope that one day soon I am able to take the leap. I know when that day comes he will be thrilled for me, but leaving my current job will be very difficult and emotional. I have been with my current employer for almost 9 years now. Sometimes it is very difficult to juggle the two, but for now it is what I have to do. You would be surprised what you are willing to do to make your dreams come true, even if that comes at the expense of your free time and sleep schedule.

Sara, 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?

My name is Sara Cox. I am 30 years old and a born and raised Savannah native. From a very young age I have always been interested in food and cooking. In high school I worked as a hostess at Spanky’s Southside and eventually as a server there. I went to Georgia Southern for a year before deciding I wanted to go to culinary school and then transferred to Ogeechee Tech in Statesboro. Following college I worked at Toucan Cafe as a line cook and then Cotton and Rye. I left the kitchen for various reasons, and eventually ended up working in the office at Wet Willie’s Management Corp. I have worked here for 8.5 years now.

During Covid I decided to start an Instagram to share recipes and cooking tips I learned in school and during my time in restaurants. In September of 2020 I shared a video of myself making a grazing table and quickly started receiving requests to make Charcuterie boards for people. This was when Charcuterie boards began to be extremely popular, and it became a full blown operation. My days during this time were waking up at 6am and getting boards put together, taking them to my dad for deliveries, heading to work at 9am and then running to my parents during lunch to make more boards, back to work and then home to prep everything for the next day. Weekends were pretty much non existent for me. I was working most Saturdays and an occasional Sunday. I was exhausted all the time, but this is how people came to know Sarandipity and I wouldn’t have it any other way. After 3 and a half years, I was burnt out on Charcuterie boards and didn’t feel the creative drive I had when I began. Last year one of my repeat customers asked if I would be interested in cooking for her and her family over the New Years weekend. To be honest, I really didn’t want to do it because I felt so burnt out, but I decided to do it anyways. That is a decision that I am still so happy I made. After 4 days cooking multiple meals a day for 16 people, I was exhausted, but I finally felt that spark again. In January of 2024 I decided I did not want to make Charcuterie boards at all, and I wanted to pursue being a private chef. I just wasn’t sure how it would be received. So I sat with the idea for several months, while spending weekends monthly with the same family from New Years private cheffing. In April of 2024 I reached out to my friend and web designer and decided to rebrand. I now offer private cheffing, catering, and event planning and design. All three are huge passions for me, and I have never been happier than I am when I am doing any of them.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I have funded my business with my personal funds. I would purchase equipment and things I needed as I made money off of my products. For the first year I was using a large portion of everything I earned to purchase things I needed to grow my business. I only used social media to promote my business for the first year. In the second year of my business one of my boards was featured on the cover of Savannah magazine, and I believe that was a huge contributor to how much my business grew from 2021-2023. It wasn’t until 2022 that I invested in marketing, otherwise people found me on social media or heard about me by word of mouth. It is very risky to use only personal funds to grow a business, but every risk I took to invest in myself and my brand, has paid for itself ten fold.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I am a people pleaser, and I have a very hard time saying no or disappointing people. Unfortunately, not everyone is going to be pleased or happy with your work, no matter the quality, price, or dedication that it took to create. Letting myself get down about a negative review or customer was not benefiting anyone. If I took the negativity too seriously I would’ve stopped a long time ago. The only thing you can do is learn from every experience, and try to improve.
Saying No is something I still struggle with, but I have learned is better for me and my customers to not spread myself to thin. I show up better, and create better food, and better events. Anyone who is paying me, deserves me at my best, and sometimes that requires having to turn some jobs down. This also applies to actually taking time off for myself. This is something I did not prioritize before and it lead to burn out. Now I am intentional with my time and make sure I am doing things for myself on occasion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sarandipityfare.com
• Instagram: Sarandipityfare
• Facebook: Sarandipity Fare

Image Credits

Kathryn Ann Waller Photography