Sarah Schulweis
Sarah Schulweis
Consultant / Founder
Oakland, CA
www.anchorandorbit.com
instagram @anchorandorbit
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I work privately, one-on-one with business owners— these are usually 4-6 month retainers with room to grow. ”
My clients want to refine, understand and grow their business. They’re usually established and looking for a change of pace - either slowing down or speeding up growth.
I have a 4-month program that helps those who are on the cusp of growth see their potential and strengthen their business from the core so they can grow with confidence. The program, which runs three times a year starting January, June, and October, begins with discovery, moves to goal planning, financial cashflow planning, and ends with market analysis and general system creation.
Also, I’m working on launching a resource library with two of my most trusted collaborators. We’re each writing a resource that we wish we could’ve read in times past. And we’re partnering with others who want to write valuable resources to help other businesses grow and learn.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
My undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship came to me a bit later than my peers. I took some time before getting my degree to work within small businesses which, as these things go, was a huge part of my path. My first client came after I was laid off from a marketing / PR job a few years after I acquired my degree.
With my first client, I was able to test ideas, theories, and practices that I felt were essential to the growth of her business. I started to talk about my work and referrals came in from friends, family, and colleagues. Over the next few years, I said yes to everything I could. Projects, long-term gigs, shipping, customer service, sales, and more.
The first three years of my work and treated it like grad school. In July 2016 I launched my official website, engaged with my network about publicity and refined who and how I work. As I do with my clients, I defined who I am and how I work, and that trickled down into systems and ideas. Businesses are holistic. A one-degree shift in my marketing always means a one-degree shift in my systems. And I still want to acknowledge that I don’t feel like I have fully arrived. I am passionately on this journey and make that known to my clients. Every new project, client, and program is an opportunity for me to learn and refine my skills.
How do you stand out in your field?
When I think of classic consultants, I think of someone who comes in to tell you what to do. And when I think of coaches, I know they are trained to help you come up with solutions yourself. I think both are important for businesses, but I strive to be a combination of the two as well as a teacher, advocate, and implementer.
I dive into understanding who the owners/founders/solopreneurs are and how they came to their current place in their industry. I toggle between emotional and practical, and that makes me stand out from those who bucket themselves into separate categories.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Refining my program and training my first facilitators. With the fifth cohort, starting June 25, I decided that the talent and know-how of my alumni should be unleashed! And this wasn’t a shock, those who I asked to participate as facilitators expressed interest early on in not only growing their business but somehow staying connected to my business after the completion. I also have kept an eye on the subtleties and flow of the program, noting aspects of it that would be helpful in training first-time facilitators.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is casual but focused. I forge friendships with my clients, but I know my place and job is to help hold them up and keep them achieving their goals.
My perspective is that most people aren’t cut out to run their own business. But if someone wants to try, my advice is to run those numbers first and say yes to everything.
I have a classic taste with a hint of modern. I believe in my digital calendar but will never let go of my pen and paper when I want to connect with my creativity and inner voice.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
To be practical, I would get more finance certifications.
To be creative, I would study Interaction Design.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Sometimes those big projects or concepts are frustrating. I teach myself and my clients how to map out goals, but even with that knowledge, it’s tricky to stay on track. The end-goal can be so exciting and so far away, which can keep me from my preferred “one foot in front of the other” frame of mind.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would hire a stellar assistant to help with client management, administrative tasks, and who wouldn’t mind running to the grocery store occasionally.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
Five years ago I would have told myself to go on an extended trip across Europe and see the world. I have a goal to do that at some other point in my life.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Sign me up for some one-on-one design classes. I’d love to take the visions I have and make them realities.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I want to know more businesses that are looking to grow! I want to work with a bigger product-based company, or a design firm, or even a law firm. I love the idea of working with teams to help them streamline their systems to be more efficient and love their work.
I’m looking for business owners, experts, creative thinkers and doers who have a message to share and want to work with my team of strategists, writers, and designers.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal client is open to change, while also standing up for their desires. They lean on “yes let’s try” and want to progress in their work, even while letting go of it.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
The program I run costs between $1100-$2500 (or more if you’re looking for more support). Working one-on-one is definitely more costly as the work we do takes a long time to complete. I ask for a minimum of 30 hours with clients and my rate ends up looking like $125-150/hr. The underlying goal of the work I do with clients is to have them make back the money they have invested and then some. So far so good!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
A hug :) Or the contact form on my website.
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Work hard and take meaningful breaks.
This member profile was originally published in June 2018.