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

Sarah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

One of the biggest and most calculated risks I’ve taken was leaving my six-figure corporate fashion design job in New York City to start a vegetable farm with my husband, new baby and another couple. It was a risk that changed the entire trajectory of my career and life.

The backstory is that I’d been working in corporate for years, steadily climbing the ladder and enjoying the financial security that came with it. But, I reached a point where I felt unfulfilled. I was craving something more aligned with my values—something that gave me control over my time and a real sense of purpose. The corporate world was comfortable, but I wanted to challenge myself in a completely different way.

That’s when we made the decision to leave the six-figure salaries behind to grow an agricultural start-up that emphasized farming vertically and also raising $5m for the project. We lost transaction and decided to farm traditionally to meet more people and slowly prove out our model. A decision which was about as far from my previous career as you can get. I knew the financial hit would be huge, but the desire for a more meaningful life outweighed the security I was leaving behind. So we took the plunge, fully aware that it could fail, but driven by the belief that calculated risks are often where growth happens.

I learned a lot—about business, resilience, and adaptability. Financially, it was a sharp contrast. I went from six figures to making less than $30,000 a year. But, the experience taught me valuable lessons about entrepreneurship, consumer behavior, and hard work that I now apply to my real estate business. It also gave me the confidence to pivot when I decided to get my real estate license, where I’ve built a business on my own terms and found success again.

That risk taught me that stepping out of comfort and taking bold, calculated leaps often leads to the most growth. It’s now how I approach every decision, whether in real estate or my future ventures.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who may not know me, my name is Sarah Marnell, and I’m a real estate agent with experience in both the Catskills region of New York and Northeast Ohio. My journey into real estate was anything but traditional. I’ve always been someone who’s willing to take calculated risks, and that’s exactly what led me here. After spending over a decade in the corporate world, and even stepping into vegetable farming and bartending for a time, I realized that my true passion was helping people make one of the most significant decisions of their lives—buying or selling a home.

What drew me to real estate was the blend of strategy, creativity, and personal connection. Real estate isn’t just about transactions; it’s about understanding the goals, concerns, and dreams of each client and carefully guiding them through what can often be an emotional and complex process. My services cover everything from helping first-time homebuyers navigate the market to representing sellers who want to get the most out of their investments. I also love helping people realize that they too can create generational wealth through real estate investments if you work the system correctly.

What sets me apart is the energy and enthusiasm I bring to every client interaction. I’m known for my attention to detail and my ability to tailor strategies that work for each individual’s unique situation. My clients often comment on how much I care about their needs, and I make it a point to listen carefully to their concerns and offer the most thoughtful solutions possible. It’s not just about getting a deal done—it’s about ensuring the process is smooth and my clients feel taken care of every step of the way.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built. I’ve been able to grow my business through referrals because my clients trust me to always act in their best interest. My brand is about ENERGY, integrity, strategy, and a commitment to helping people achieve their real estate goals, no matter how big or small. At the end of the day, I want my clients to know that I’m here for them, not just during the transaction but long after, as a trusted resource and partner in their real estate journey.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that perfection is the goal. When you’re busy and going full steam- done really is better than perfect. Spending too much time on tasks that you think are very important at the time will cost you more than it’s benefitting you. I’m launching a a small resource company called: Agent Field Kit directed towards the resources that I wish I had when I was a new Real Estate Agent. I had to cut off my obsessing over it. Just finish it, no analysis paralysis, get it done and move on.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing clientele is to lead with gratitude. Grow a community and be a good, no, GREAT human. People will not only notice and want to be around you, but they will be people that you actually enjoy being around as well. Work won’t even feel like work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sarahmarnell.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmarnell_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahmarnell.realtor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-stevens-marnell
• Other: www.agentfieldkit.com for new agent resources