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

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

The Mission behind Shine, ShEO! is all about helping Women who are on a mission to thrive in every area of their life.

I believe this mission was instilled in me from a very young age, as both of my parents are Small Business Owners. My mom especially is a huge inspiration to me as she runs her own business, raised her two children, has always helped elderly, and is a light in her own community while she focuses on her health, inner and physical. She’s the definition of a powerful woman to me and I love seeing her work on her personal growth more now.

I believe we are put on this earth for a reason and starting my business, with the intention of making an impact in the world, ignited my own journey of self development through entrepreneurship.

Leaving the corporate world, especially a male dominated industry, I never thought I’d be creating a company around women. Though my own journey of being in a leadership position as a woman and unlearning the beliefs that come with that, have allowed me to realize that I can be in balance with my feminine and my masculine and still be successful.

A female approach to business is what I strive to share through Shine, ShEO! While I believe working hard is important and part of the success of your business, sheer discipline without a truly aligned strategy will not get you to the goal.

Through the many types of coaching I’ve invested in, I found the good and the bad of this unregulated industry. From courses, programs, memberships, and workshops I have had the opportunity to see clearly what gets you the best results. Which is why the Shine, ShEO! Academy was intentionally designed with all its features to help women excel in business.

Shine, ShEO! is on a mission to change the game of business for women entrepreneurs who want it all, are willing to work for it but truly believe that energetic alignment is at the core of success. It’s not about working harder, it’s about working smarter.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For Women Business Owners who are on a Mission! It’s time to level up your business, streamline operations, and achieve sustainable growth—all while being surrounded by a community of like-minded women entrepreneurs cheering you on.

We help you overcome struggling with the HOW you’re getting to that next goal in your business by laying out a strategy that aligns with you and works for you! You don’t have to go through the struggle of trying to figure this out by yourself! Get on the fast track to consistent sales and growth. We work with you on all areas of Business from Strategy, Operations, Marketing, Sales and Alignment.

Sarah Ziesler is a Business Strategist working with Women Entrepreneurs running service-based businesses, she specializes in Increasing your Productivity and Revenue by implementing Strategies & Systems that align with You and Your Business. Together with her Expert Coaches in Marketing, Sales and Business Energetics, she helps you implement the necessary strategies to elevate your business and reach your goals.

How? We can help you in two different ways:

Shine, ShEO! Academy
For Business Owners wanting to scale their Business
In this dynamic community, we dive into the nitty-gritty of productivity and efficiency, keeping a laser focus on revenue generation. Join us as we create your strategy on driving growth in your business through our weekly strategy calls and weekly group expert calls in marketing, sales, business energy alignment and finances. Our Experts are here for you! Keeping you up to date on the latest, improving your techniques and answering your questions.
In our 1:1 Sessions we focus specifically on your business. We dive deeper into the nitty-gritty and implement strategies with you. You also get 1:1 access to our experts focusing on growth in the different areas, e.g. Marketing and Sales.

Shine, ShEO! Bootcamp
For Business Owners in their early stages of Entrepreneurship
Our Bootcamp is more than just a program; it’s a dynamic blend of hands-on coaching, skill-building workshops, and a supportive community crafted to equip you with the essential tools needed to kickstart your entrepreneurial dreams. From mastering time management to cultivating a growth mindset, Shine, ShEO! Bootcamp gives you access to our Shine, ShEO! Vault with all the resources and tools to flexibly learn. This is your launchpad to success. Empower yourself with the skills and confidence to shine brightly in the business world.

Book a Free Consultation to learn more and find out if this is the right fit for you.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In March of 2016 my American grandmother passed away. Her biggest wish has always been for me to move from Germany where I was born and raised, to the United States. Our plan was for me to come live with her and study at NC State. Tuition is free in Germany and because I was already working in corporate, I thought going to university and working with the company I was with was a safer plan.

My grandmother and I were really close and because my dad left us when I was three, I never got to grow up speaking the English language or learning about the United States that I became obsessed with. I flew to the US for her funeral, helped my family with packing up her belongings and realized that though she’s no longer here.. this is where I belong. My final goodbye to her was the promise that I will find a way to come to the US, no matter what.

Arriving back in Germany with my new mission to move to the US, I started crafting a plan.
My parents were not thrilled about the news and I don’t think they took it very seriously back then. Plan A, I approached the company I was working for to see if they had a position open at their plant in South Carolina, USA. After weeks of trying to get a response from HR, I finally heard back and the answer was no.

On to Plan B, getting a golf scholarship. I started the application process for a golf scholarship, this took a few months from finding the right company to improving my golf skills and working on my application video. I was determined to find a way.

In October that year all leadership from the different countries flew in for management meetings and the yearly company celebration. At the time, I was working on my final project in supply chain when someone came into our office and asked if anyone knew how to make cappuccinos. Having done all the grunt work 6 months prior and setting up all the coffee machines, I knew exactly how to make them because I was making myself one every single day.

As soon as I walked into the break room to start making a cappuccino, I met Jim, the CEO of the subsidiary in the US and the next four days I was making cappuccinos for him while excitedly speaking English to a native. Knowing that there wasn’t a job for me in the US, I didn’t even think about asking him, I was just so excited to get to speak English with someone.

Four days later, Jim asked me if I wanted to come work for him in the United States. I printed out my resume I had written 4 months prior and handed it to him. And then waited 3 weeks for the call. When it finally came and I got all the details, I accepted immediately.

March 1st 2017, I packed up all my belongings and arrived in Greenville, SC for the first time.
I still remember feeling excited about my new chapter in life, saying goodbye to my family and then arriving in my empty apartment while everyone in Germany was still asleep.
It was quiet for the first time since accepting the job and I realized what I had just done.
From there, I had to figure out living by myself for the first time, getting fluent in English and learning new words daily. My new job kickstarted my corporate career, and for those who are wondering – I never had to make coffee again but got to learn, take on more responsibilities and grew more in just a few years than I ever thought possible.

I had kept my promise and I have now been in the US for 7 years.

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

Leaving the corporate world, especially a male dominated industry, I started reflecting on the woman that was looking at me in the mirror. I did not like that person. I always worked hard, always said yes to things and honestly constantly beat myself up for not doing enough.

The limiting beliefs that were constantly in my head: “You’re not good enough.”, “You’re too young.”, “You’re lazy, you don’t have discipline.”, “Showing your emotions is a sign of weakness.”, “If you show kindness, they will walk all over you.” – were beating me down hard. I’m not saying these came from corporate, I’m sure they were there before. But I wanted to learn how to show up authentically as me.

Reflecting through my own journey of self development that began when I dove into entrepreneurship trying to make a living. I quickly realized that these beliefs are no longer serving me. But to get out of them and change them was and is one of the hardest things.

The biggest shift was when I invested time and money and started changing my limiting beliefs into new empowering beliefs. Though I have made a big shift in my life since then, I continuously work on my growth mindset. Getting with my own coaches was a pivotal moment for my business and I continue to work with them today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shinesheo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinesheo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shinesheo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shinesheo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shinesheo

Image Credits
Cassondra Johnson