Carrying the Torch: The Power of Giftology with Sara Hardwick

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Aug 25, 2025

Sara Hardwick, a Community Relationship Strategist at GIFT∙OLOGY, shares insights on the legacy of generosity in business. She discusses how to honor the memory of Giftology founder John Ruhlin through intentional acts of kindness. Sara highlights the 'return on relationships' philosophy and dives into the art of meaningful gifting, explaining how personalized gifts can enhance connections with clients. Additionally, she shares personal anecdotes about her upcoming wedding, emphasizing how love and community play a role in their mission.

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ANECDOTE

Engraved Knives That Built A Bond

Jon recounts John Ruhlin sending engraved knives to a friend in Italy and personally helping make the connection.
The story illustrates John's joy in giving and the relational approach behind Giftology.

INSIGHT

Generosity As A Business Strategy

Sara explains John's core question: "Who can I help you love on?" which guided their mission.
That mindset treats generosity as a strategic, human-centered business practice.

ANECDOTE

Crisis, Clarity, And A Plan

After John's passing the team focused first on protecting his family's legacy and quickly built a plan led by his partner Rod.
They found clarity in crisis and committed to carry the mission forward with faith and structure.

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On this episode of The Jon Gordon Podcast, I sit down with Sara Hardwick from Giftology to dive deep into the legacy of our great friend and Giftology founder, John Ruhlin. Sara opens up about how the Giftology team has carried on John’s mission of generosity, relationship-building, and faith following his unexpected passing. We explore the powerful “return on relationships” philosophy that made John’s approach to gifting and human connection so unique, how intentional generosity can transform your business and personal life, and what it looks like to truly honor someone’s legacy. Sara shares behind-the-scenes stories, how Giftology helps leaders and entrepreneurs grow through strategic gift-giving, and practical ways you can bring more heart and impact to your work.

About Sara,

Sara Hardwick is a dynamic force in the realm of relationship strategy and business development, serving as the Community Relationship Strategist at GIFT∙OLOGY. With a passion for nurturing meaningful connections, Sara leads the R.I.C.H. Relationship Society, an educational membership designed to revolutionize referral-based business practices. Her journey into this role began while still in college at The University of North Carolina when she built the internet's largest gifting community where she put into practice her innate ability to blend savvy communication with operationalized gift-giving. This early success laid the foundation for Sara's trajectory, focusing on unlocking loyalty in clients, employees, and referral partnerships through the power of generosity and strategic relationship-building.

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