We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Gibbons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, do you have a budget?

I LOVE this questions. Can we all pls just talk more openly about our finances rather than feel so hush hush about it! I do have a budget and it’s combined with my husbands. Once we had our 3rd son and my was business was bringing more money in than I used to make selling online advertising for tech giants like Amazon/ IMDb and MySpace, I realized my willy nilly budget planning was at the heart of my stress! Not to mention was my husband also left the Corporate world and was starting his 1st business, and the cost of living continued to increase as was our children’s needs. It was stressful. Finances is one of those areas that I find most people don’t really talk about honesty, and certainly not in LA. It was really important to me to move away from a “lack” mentality about money to more of seeing it as energy . We don’t have a “perfect system” but my husband and I do consistently sit down every Sat and review our monthly net income, our monthly costs and check in on how we’re planning for college, holidays, retirement etc I’m learning to love these meetings because I’ve found there’s great peace in transparency. Knowing where we stand reduces my anxiety and also helps us align our spend with what value. My boys give me a hard time about my mini-van (which has totally served our family practically) and of course they wish we had a sexier family car. I tell them multiple times a week, we spend on our money on what matters most to us and that is experiences, both local and a far. Last year, we pulled all 3 of our boys out of 3 different schools and moved to Costa Rica and put them in an International School. I really believe that our relationship to money played a big role in being able to have that wild experience together.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

After more than a decade of pioneering the tech-business economy in both North America and Europe for companies like Amazon, IMDb, and Fox Interactive Media, I was hungry for a different kind of fulfillment. As a new mother and highly successful corporate executive, I moved from London back to the US to complete my Master’s in Spiritual Psychology. Not long after obtaining my Master’s, I began Sarah Gibbons & Co. a global coaching practice for organizations and individuals looking to experience transformational leadership. I had come from the creative/ tech/ media world, and absolutely love being with people who are courageously making a living by being an artist.

It hasn’t always been cupcakes and unicorns, as being an entrepreneur immediately thrust me into getting comfortable being uncomfortable with the unknown. When I first started my business, I thought I only wanted to coach working Mothers because I thought I had to pick a niche. What I realized after major trial and error was that it wasn’t demographics that lit me up; it was a person’s set of values – creative expression, impact, Courage and connection to just name a few.

Like all new entrepreneurs, I found my inner world crashing as I got caught up with comparing myself to other coaches who’d been in the biz a lot longer than me. I was quick to hire my own coach so that I could deepen my self-trust and ultimately my ability to self-lead. While also learning to stay on my yoga mat!!

The coaching world is like the wild west with very little regulation and I quickly discovered that the most important thing I could do to help me navigate all the challenges that I would face was to consistently invest in myself – not only so I could walk my talk, but I firmly believe that you can’t take someone to places you’ve never been.

Now, 15+ years later and having worked with notable top Executives and Creatives from Pinterest, the LA. Clippers, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, TBWA\Chiat\Day, The Weitz Foundation, and many more, I’ve expanded my team to bring on world-renowned Executive Coach and Consultant Tashion Macon and launched a podcast, called The Tidal Podcast.

There’s no one else in the world like me(or you) and my 15+ years experience in the media/ tech world during the early 2000’s, 15+ years parenting 3 boys, 17+ years wifing, and all the while continually investing in my own growth, is what sets me apart.

What motivates me is knowing I’m using my God given talents to help driven creatives experience their full expression, while creating an impact that leaves their world, their community a better place. The feeling I get from seeing a ripple get created from this work, is the legacy I’m experiencing each day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh my gosh, a whole week with my best friend?! What a treat. I’m going to assume this week is free of responsilbity and my work, children and wife duties are all handled!

For starters, we wouldn’t have the week all planned out because we both crave spaciousness, slowing down and relaxing! The first night she arrives, we would have dinner plans at a cozy little restaurant where the music isn’t too loud, the food is delicious and I could get an Aperal spritz – something like Forma and we’d sit at the bar.

We’d make sure we were getting exercise in each day – albeit hiking Santa Monica Mountains, walking the beach towards Malibu and taking ‘The Class.”

We might even spend some time up in Ojai simply relaxing by the pool for a couple of days.

I’d have a couple of dinners booked through out the week, so if we wanted to go out we would have the option. I must admit I can’t keep up with all the hip and yummy restaurants in LA, but I’d get it sorted – something that is quaint, but has a good feel to it.

We’d look for some cool art to check out, a live show or a movie at one of the Independant theaters in town.

Gone are the days are wanting to shop for hours and in are the days of wanting to relax, and enjoy being together.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I wouldn’t be where I am today with my business if it we’re for the following: – Parents who are constantly reminding me I’m amazing. That’s simple. A husband who sees me at best and my worse and leans in when I’m in a spiral. I’ve made some big bets and coached with some of the most extraordinary coaches in the world and I got my Masters at University of Santa Monica in Spiritual Psychology with Dr. Ron & Mary Hulnick. Not a coaching session goes by, that I don’t draw upon the work we did and see an impact on my clients. I’m incredibly grateful for the driven woman in my life who are soul sisters and just get all the trials and tribulations that come with being a committed working, Mama.

Lastly, but certainly not least, my 3 boys. They are hands down my biggest teachers so much so, that there are days where I’m like “God, no more lessons today. Seriously. My plate is full.” They’re 15, almost 13, and 11, and continue to remind me how much I have to learn in this life time.

Website: sarahgibbons.co

Instagram: Sarahgibbonsco

Linkedin: SarahLyonsGibbons

Facebook: SarahLyonsGibbons

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