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

Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To me, success comes from a combination of taking risks, staying consistent in working toward goals, a bit of luck, and learning to adapt quickly when things don’t go as planned. When I decided to work for myself, I started my company as a side hustle. For over a year, I steadily built my brand and took on small contracts while working full-time. It was challenging, as it meant working evenings and weekends, but this approach allowed me to build up the stamina for long hours and create a safety net with some initial clients.

When I finally made the leap into full-time entrepreneurship, the first few months were tough—I felt like I wasn’t getting enough work, but I stayed focused on my end goal and now I am grateful to say I have some great projects coming my way. My approach has always been to play the long game, and it’s paid off so far.

Sarah, 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?

I am of Métis, Cree, and mixed European ancestry and grew up in my community, Elizabeth Métis Settlement, in Treaty 6 territory in Northern Alberta. I have always been passionate about advocating for Indigenous Peoples. My educational background in Indigenous Studies and Public Policy, through both undergraduate and graduate degrees, gave me a deep understanding of the complexities of Indigenous realities. I’ve worked in this field for over a decade, with experiences spanning Indigenous rights holder engagement in municipal government in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Indigenous higher education, and telecommunications here in Canada. I also teach Indigenous Policy at the graduate level at the University of Calgary, and I love working with adult learners and teaching them about the resilience of Indigenous Peoples.

Entrepreneurship runs in my family, so I was naturally drawn to working for myself. In 2023, I launched Jacknife Consulting as a side hustle, spending a year planning and preparing before fully transitioning to entrepreneurship. Since then, I’ve focused primarily on Indigenous policy, research, writing, and facilitation. I enjoy collaborating with clients, helping them solve problems, and suggesting ways to center Indigenous perspectives in their work.

Beyond consulting, I’m passionate about writing, and I’m proud to have had some of my pieces published by CBC and The Globe and Mail.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best source of new clients has been word-of-mouth. My first clients came through referrals from friends and professional acquaintances, which I’m incredibly grateful for, and since then, it’s continued to grow organically. As an Indigenous woman, relationships are especially important to me, and I’ve been fortunate that most of my work has come from the connections I’ve built throughout my career.

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

I’ve had to pivot many times throughout my career and personal life, and while it’s always scary I’ve found that when I trust the process, I usually end up where I’m meant to be. One memorable pivot was during my time in Aotearoa/New Zealand. I loved my role as a political advisor for the City of Auckland, but it was during COVID, and I missed my community, family, friends, and working in Indigenous relations. I decided to return to Canada sooner than planned, returning with no job or car and temporarily moving in with my parents.

That transition period gave me valuable time to reflect on my career goals. Shortly after coming back home, I landed a corporate role, and six months later, I launched Jacknife Consulting. This experience also underscored the importance of community, which I now prioritize and actively nurture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jacknifeconsulting.ca/
• Instagram: riel_deadly_instructor
• Linkedin: @Jacknife Consulting
• Other: TikTok – riel_deadly_instructor