Meet Sara Ecklein

We recently connected with Sara Ecklein and have shared our conversation below.

Sara, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Finding my purpose was shaped by a deeply personal experience with loss and end-of-life care. In 2013, after witnessing a loved one’s final three days, my perspective on life changed profoundly. Those days were truly transformative and a gift to me.

Death is the ultimate truth serum; it strips away the noise of daily life, leaving us with the present moment. In those moments, I connected deeply with my purpose: to provide healing and a sense of calm to people during their end-of-life transition.

Reflecting on my journey, I realize the profound lessons I’ve learned from these experiences. I discovered the importance of being present and offering compassion in our most vulnerable moments.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a California licensed professional fiduciary, and I’m passionate about helping families navigate the complex world of estate planning, trust administration, and end-of-life care.

I founded Trust & Honor to provide compassionate guidance and support, specializing in trustee services and special needs trusts. My goal is to ensure that families don’t have to navigate these transitions alone. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives. I strive to create a space where families feel heard and supported, helping them find peace of mind during a challenging period.

In addition to my fiduciary work, I recently launched The Legacy of Love podcast in October 2024. Each episode focuses on the importance of planning for the future and features interviews with experts in law, finance, and healthcare, as well as personal stories from individuals who have experienced the benefits and challenges of planning their legacies. I believe that communication and love are at the core of effective planning, and I aim to share that message with my listeners.

Currently, I’m excited to expand my podcast reach and connect with more families who could benefit from the insights and guidance shared in each episode. Whether you’re just starting to think about your legacy or navigating a complex family situation, The Legacy of Love offers valuable information and support. It’s a joy to serve families and help them create their legacies of love!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back on my journey, I believe the three qualities that were most impactful for me were alignment, self-care, and perseverance.

1. Alignment: Finding alignment with my values and purpose has been crucial. It helped me stay focused on what truly mattered in my work and life. Reflecting on my experiences, I can see how moments of being out of alignment ultimately guided me toward understanding what true alignment feels like. I believe that life supports us in every moment; it’s all here to provide us with information and guide our next steps.

2. Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care has allowed me to sustain my energy and enthusiasm. Being of service has always been core to my personal values and profession. However, every role has its shadows, and for those of us in service professions, it’s essential to prioritize self-care daily. It’s easy to become consumed by work and the needs of clients, but neglecting personal well-being can lead to burnout. After becoming a mother, this lesson became even more evident—I realized that you can’t give or help others if you aren’t taking care of yourself. I recommend incorporating small, daily practices that nourish your mind and body—whether it’s meditation, exercise, or simply taking time for hobbies you enjoy.

3. Perseverance: The ability to persevere through challenges has been vital in my journey. I’ve always had a vision, a trait I believe I inherited from my father, who was also an entrepreneur with a future-oriented mindset. Long-term planning is one of the gifts and skills I share with my clients, and it has profoundly impacted my business, allowing me to envision a future that is both big and bright.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a step back and SLOW down. I focus on eliminating what isn’t necessary, which helps me refocus and reduce my stress and anxiety.

I’ve also learned the importance of asking for help and outsourcing, especially while juggling motherhood and running a small business. Discovering what I can delegate, both personally and professionally, has been a game changer! Some small tweaks in my daily life have made a big impact, I have healthy lunches delivered weekdays and hired house cleaners for monthly deep cleaning. These choices allow me to focus on what truly matters and reduces my feeling of overwhelm.

I came across a powerful piece of wisdom from Gay Hendricks: “I am where time comes from.” This reminds me that I have the power to shape my own experience of time and choose how I spend it. By doing so, I can create space for what truly matters in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trustandhonor.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-ecklein-clpf-97460687/
• Other: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2378190/15381267

Image Credits

Emily Kim Photography