Sarah Patton’s Exciting Announcement
In this week’s blog post, you may notice something a little different. Take another glance above, and… did you spot it? It’s authored by our new Client Strategist Sarah Patton!
Before she takes the reigns, I (Julie) wanted to provide a little intro. If you could see me, you’d see my arms in the air, excitedly flailing around. Here’s why…
For the past eight months, Sarah has been with us part time, bringing our business development to the next level. That’s what she’s been doing. But more interestingly, I want to tell you about how she’s been doing it. You see: in each of her actions and interactions, she’s exemplified the skills and characteristics we want to attract for our company. Specifically, talent found in our Client Strategists, the most important people in our company. Our Strategists are the people who work 1-1 with clients in our Advisory Practice.
Recently, a client wisely asked me the characteristics of a great Strategist. Truthfully, I’ve learned a lot about this, and the list has evolved over time. The best Strategists for our business are people who:
- Have a distinct strategy superpower (you may have guessed: Sarah’s is business development, which people don’t realize is a hard-core technical skill).
- Do what they say they’ll do, when they say they’ll do it (not earth shattering, yet not the norm).
- Are open to un-learnering, learning, and re-learning.
- Exercise incredible emotional intelligence.
- Enjoy working (some of us really do)!
Sarah is all this and more. She brings it all to life so beautifully, and that is a vast understatement. So it was a no-brainer to ask Sarah if she’d (please!) expand her role at Ellevated Outcomes.
And here’s the plot twist – while still owning her own company Social Bliss Events.
Is this nontraditional and maybe a little scary, for each of us? Sure is!
But if you saw our Mother’s Day post, you know that we’re counting on “traditional” no longer being the norm – for the good of women and for the good of humanity. And this is one of our steps to build a different kind of business.
So now finally, from Sarah: why and how she’s going to continue owning and growing Social Bliss Events, while working with us at Ellevated Outcomes…
Over the past eight months of working with Ellevated Outcomes, I’ve become acutely aware of some business blind spots. Okay, let’s be honest, I knew they were there; but after you’ve learned there’s a solution to your problem, you can’t continue doing business as usual. At times, I’ve been all-consumed by Social Bliss (aka my baby). But in the past year, my eyes have been opened to a clear path of how to do business in a strategic way.
Instead of trying to juggle it all, I can move from owner-operator to owner. This isn’t only good for me; but it’s good for the business, clients, and the people I’ve hired. It’s time to step back and let the business breathe (and allow the team to utilize their strengths). Not to mention, my life. As I attempt to plan (ha!) the next two to five years, I envision myself married with a kid. I want to have time and energy to enjoy the next chapter, not struggling to fit it all in.
I never want to stop growing personally or professionally, and it’s time to Carpe diem. Social Bliss is learning to function without me. I am putting on my learner’s hat and expanding my portfolio. Expanding my role to Client Strategist at Ellevated Outcomes is an opportunity to bring my small business owner perspective to our EO clients, while also learning more technical skills that I can use to grow Social Bliss. While it may look unconventional, It’s a win-win.
Social Bliss Events isn’t going anywhere. We have business booked into 2022 and 2023, and I adore our clients. After being quarantined, I’m more excited about throwing a party now than ever. I’m thrilled to lead the team into the next chapter. Here’s to moving from owner-operator to owner, delegating tasks, and freeing up headspace with strategic plans.
As a small business owner, if anything I’ve said resonates, please reach out and say hello. I’d love to chat as I know first-hand what it’s like to burn the midnight oil, attempt to wear all of the hats, and operate without streamlined processes. There’s no judgement here. 🙂 However, let’s see if there’s a way to ellevate your business and life.
