We were lucky to catch up with Sara Hall recently and have shared our conversation 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 actually worked in corporate for 10+ years and NEVER felt like it was the place for me. I always went to work with a knot in my stomach that I don’t want to go, but I just figured this was part of it. You just…never really like your job. I definitely had happy moments, especially with athletic training, but most of the time things just didn’t feel complete with my career. I can still remember how that knot in my stomach felt, and how I have only had that 1-2 times in my business – and that was only when I had to have hard conversations with people. It was never about my business. So yes, I am MUCH happier as a business owner.

I am very confident I’ll never make the choice to back to corporate, because I literally feel sick when I think about it. I have learned so many lessons as a CEO and business owner, that I never knew in corporate, and it’s been a HUGE help with my overall happiness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Sara, and I live in Louisville, KY with my husband and 2 kids. I love reading, dancing, hanging with my family, and making lists (LOL).

I became a virtual assistant in 2018 after giving birth to my 2nd child. I was working a lot, and was not happy, so my bad attitude tended to come home and be taken out on my family. I knew I needed a change, and I wanted flexibility and something remote, to help alleviate some stress, especially since I was in the medical supplies world in the middle of the pandemic. My super power is connecting with people, but also I’m great with organizing and most tech, so I thought I could be a lot of help to women in business that need help with operations. The problems I tend to solve the most are being a sounding board for other business owners, but also helping them create plans to move forward and figure out the steps we need to take to reach their goals.

I’m most proud of how I’ve grown with connecting with others, and myself. I trust myself more than I ever have, and I have brought on 2 team members that have been huge in helping my business flourish.

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

What success truly is to me. I grew up thinking it was being the best, and getting my masters, and taking on EVERYTHING at my job. It was all about the hustle. But once I left corporate I was able to unlearn what I’ve always chased, and find a new version of success for myself. I didn’t do this alone, I had a lot of support with this, and it’s helped me get to where I am now.

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

Just recently, actually. My husband went part-time at work, and is back in school. We have had to adjust as a family in every way possible. It’s been a new schedule and dynamic for us all. I have to get even better with my time management, and learn even more so how to delegate to my work team and my family. It is not something that comes natural to me, and while I find it hard still, I feel so much relief when I have support and things keep moving. I’m constantly reminding myself I don’t have to do it all!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahallvirtual.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahallvirtual/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahallvirtual
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hallhenleysara/