Intro

My dear friend Sarah Douglass sold her incredibly successful e-commerce business three years ago, achieving the financial freedom she had always dreamed of. But soon after, she found herself grappling with a new challenge: balancing her newfound success with an ever-deepening desire for contentment and a powerful drive to create impact. In today’s conversation, Sarah shares her journey with disarming authenticity, opening up about her deepest struggles. We explore the unexpected void left by success, the difficulty of resisting the urge to immediately start something new just to feel productive, and her shift from chasing external milestones to embracing intentional living—rediscovering who she is as a whole being, not just as an entrepreneur. _____________________________________________________ TIME STAMPS: 00:00:00: Introduction and greetings 00:01:04: Sarah's business journey beginnings (Music school) 00:01:39: Transition to selling online (Discovery at dinner) 00:02:04: Starting with camping gear (Wise Owl Outfitters) 00:02:56: Challenges and operations (Traveling to China) 00:03:40: Balancing family and business (Moving and kids) 00:04:23: Working with her husband 00:05:21: Husband's role and career shift (Becoming a painter) 00:04:37: Decision to sell the business 00:05:00: Influences and reasons for selling 00:07:01: Financial freedom and exiting strategy 00:08:16: The selling process (Timeline and logistics) 00:09:56: Reflections on the buyer's bankruptcy 00:11:06: Emotional impact of selling 00:12:10: Post-sale challenges and burnout 00:13:23: Realizations and health impact 00:14:40: Personal and existential reflections 00:16:55: Seeking and understanding contentment 00:18:37: Advice on spirituality and life direction 00:19:06: Initial thoughts on spirituality and personal development 00:19:23: Exploring different avenues for growth 00:19:46: Impact of personal coaching and physical health 00:20:36: Reflection on life's purpose post-exit 00:21:32: Evaluating new opportunities and the allure of starting new businesses 00:25:00: Importance of being helpful to others 00:27:18: Finding balance in life and prioritizing oneself 00:27:50: Balancing motherhood and business 00:32:17: Handling wealth and teaching children about money 00:34:42: Shifts in business motivation without the need for money 00:38:17: Importance of having a supportive team 00:39:08: Pursuing new, exciting projects 00:40:02: Balancing current business with new ventures 00:40:26: Benefits of taking extended trips 00:42:04: Discovering oneself through new experiences 00:46:04: Reflections on legacy and impact on others 00:48:02: Interpretation of "Stay hungry, stay foolish" 00:51:03: Struggles of balancing business and family as a woman 00:56:06: Comparison of post-exit life to athletes' career transitions 00:56:38: Feeling lonely during the process 00:56:52: Searching for information online 00:57:15: Conclusion and thank you