Welcome to Feature Fridays: Women in Business!
Every Friday, we are excited to shine a spotlight on the incredible women making a significant impact in the business world. From entrepreneurs and innovators to small business owners and industry leaders, these remarkable women are breaking barriers, inspiring others, and carving a path toward success.
Today I would love to introduce you all to Sarah Taylor who is a plus-size personal trainer, model & motivational speaker who is in the transition of expanding her service offering - in a nutshell, I am passionate about helping women live their best life now with a focus on self-love, confidence, faith and fitness.
What inspired you to start your business?
My business started back in 2014 after winning Miss Plus Canada - this was after a personal journey of getting out of an abusive marriage and embarking on the journey to healing and self-love. I became a model, speaker and influencer but after being fat-shamed at a gym back in 2017 I decided I wanted to create a safe space for plus-size women to feel good in their skin in the gym and not be shamed so I opened a studio, then a second one and due to covid had to shut down and am now 100% virtual with an app which includes hundreds of demand fitness videos, coaching calls (self-love, wellness, confidence, etc) and working on expanding my offerings.
Looking at where you are now what would you tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger self that I was enough. I have fought the feeling my whole life that I wasn't enough and my productivity became my identity which is not healthy.
What is the biggest challenge you faced being a woman in business?
To be honest I never considered being a woman a setback. I grew up as an entrepreneur's daughter and I'm a fighter so I just kind of went for things and keep going for things. I do think that there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to starting a business and setting realistic goals for reaching sales targets, cash flow, etc. and I wish there was more education around that to help set women up for success.
What advice would you give an aspiring female entrepreneur who is just starting their journey?
Follow your passion and purpose and build your business around your lifestyle, what you desire and not what everyone else wants. I would also suggest not leaving your day job until you have enough in the bank to pay yourself for a minimum of 6-12 months. That is one of my biggest regrets.
What do you wish more people knew about YOU?
That I am who I am and where I am because of God. I have been afraid to share my faith journey out of fear of what people think and also the backlash I've seen others go through. Add on top of that I was bullied as a kid not only for being the big girl but also a Christian (the pastor's kid to be exact) so I have stayed quiet for too long on this part of my journey and that has been changing but I think it will change more, to be honest, and become more of what I do and how I serve women.
In what ways do you believe women can uplift and empower each other?
There literally are countless ways women can uplift and empower each other - from offering services in your business to empower women, to encouraging your friends, supporting women-owned businesses, and purchasing from women-owned businesses. There is room for everyone and we need to stop thinking of each other as competition and realize that as corny as it sounds - we are all like snowflakes and all so unique and you can only serve the way you serve. So follow your dreams and desires and support women along the way.
How do you maintain self-care while running a business?
For me self care is really holistic - it includes staying active, having adequate rest with a priority on sleep, reading my bible and praying, having time with girlfriends, etc. It's less about bubble baths and face masks but more about prioritizing my wholeness and wellness and it's exactly the type of lives I work on helping my clients and community build because if you are giving from an empty cup, you will dry up and then you're good to no one, including yourself. Self-care isn't selfish, it is live giving.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey to experience?
When I build my fitness business I did so much in my own strength and worked 18-20 hour days sometimes and my burnout was so intense. So as much as hard work is important, you also have to take care of yourself and do things in HIS strength.
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