Meet Sarah Ziesler

We recently connected with Sarah Ziesler and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’m German, it’s probably in my blood. Both of my parents were small business owners. My mom is a huge inspiration to me – she owns her own business, raised two children, is a light in her community and is the definition of a powerful woman. She modeled true success by balancing her personal and professional life through authentic alignment. 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.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I moved to the US from Germany at the age of 20, fulfilling a promise I had made to my late grandmother.

I still remember that first night well, I arrived in my empty apartment while everyone in Germany was already asleep. It was quiet for the first time since accepting a corporate job in South Carolina and it was only then that I realized what I had just done.
From there, I had to figure out living by myself for the first time and become fluent in English – I learned new words daily, especially understanding the southern accent.

As I climbed the corporate ladder and my own journey of being in a leadership position as a woman started, I had to unlearn the beliefs that come with that, which has allowed me to realize that I can be in balance with my feminine and my masculine and still be successful. When I left the corporate world and began my journey in entrepreneurship I realized this more profoundly which is why Shine, ShEO! was created.

At Shine, ShEO!, we’re redefining what business can be for women entrepreneurs, guiding them to build purpose-driven, impactful companies that honor their unique strengths and vision. We support women who feel lost in the HOW of business by providing tailored strategies that align with their individual values and goals.

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?

1. Everything is Figureoutable
2. Networking is vital to your business
3. Have a mindset of continuous improvement

Everything is figure-out-able! Coming from Germany to the US has taught me that there are always multiple solutions to any given problem, the most important thing is to figure out what the very next step is.

This is especially important when starting your business, you don’t have to know the exact step-by-step process of how you are going to reach your goal, you just have to figure out the very next step to get closer to it and take action. Progress is more important than perfection.

You have to network and build relationships if you want your business to grow. No one is going to come banging on your door and beg to work with you if they don’t know you exist or what services you offer. Connect with people from different backgrounds and make a commitment to consistently and authentically showing up. Networking can open doors to new opportunities and provide valuable insights.

Always look for opportunities for improvement. Especially in business, it’s important to continuously adapt and add value. The ability to learn and adapt is crucial. The world is constantly evolving, so embrace a lifelong learning mindset. Read books, take online courses, attend workshops, and engage in discussions with others. I have always been very open-minded which has allowed me to learn new things and experiment to see if it works for me and my business. If it’s not in alignment, that’s okay, you’ve learned something along the way by being open to a new possibility.

Don’t shy away from challenges; view them as opportunities for growth. Every obstacle you overcome will make you stronger and more resilient. You got this!

How would you describe your ideal client?

Shine, ShEO! partners with women running service-based businesses who are eager to reach their business goals with a strategy that truly works. Our clients are ready to scale strategically while staying aligned with their personal values and vision. We create a customized, holistic strategy tailored to each ShEO, focusing on operational growth, impact, and freedom. Through a coaching experience that blends business strategy with personal development and energy alignment, we empower our clients to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose, building a business that’s both sustainable and fulfilling.

Contact Info:

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

Image Credits

Cassondra Johnson
Dustin Kennon