Thank you, TroopSwap, for supporting our efforts as veterans who help other veterans heal, too!
—> What is it about taking orders from someone else that makes you want to be your own boss? Whatever the reasons, Veteran across the country are at least 45 percent more likely to take the plunge into entrepreneurship than people with no active-duty military experience, according to a May 2011 study from the SBA Office of Advocacy. Nearly one in 10 small businesses are veteran-owned, for a grand total of 2.4 million businesses that generate a whopping $1.2 trillion in receipts and employ nearly 5.8 million people according to the latest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here at TroopSwap, our founders are former Army Rangers who are passionate about helping the military community by providing access to special benefits and military discounts. We learned of another Veteran who has transformed her passion for helping people into a thriving business: Sarah Plummer, a.k.a. Semper Sarah. We sat down with Sarah to learn about her transition from U.S. Marine to business owner.
Q: What led you to start your own business?
A: Identifying a need – I did not see anyone addressing the aftermath of trauma and stress on a truly holistic level, on a large scale. Due to my personal experiences and my desire to continue to serve after leaving the military, I was passionate about creating something to help people in a sustainable, significant way.
Q: You left a prestigious job to strike out on your own path – was that a scary transition?
A: Yes. As I’ve often said in the yoga classes I teach, transitions are where most injuries occur, so that is where we need to be the most gentle, careful, and mindful with ourselves. The same holds true in life. It was a scary transition, but one I undertook with a deep sense of purpose which compelled me forward during the tough times.
Q: What was the hardest part of building your company?
A: Initially, simply taking that first leap of faith. With action comes clarity, and so although I did a lot of research and planning before launching Semper Sarah™ LLC in March 2012, I was never going to have it all “figured out.” So now patience and trust are key and often the hardest parts of building a business. I recognize that each day brings more and more refinement to the business and I must be patient, allowing it to grow organically.
Q: Do you think your Marine Corps training and experience prepared you to begin your own company? Do you think your service gave you an edge?
A: Absolutely! I have learned how to translate the skills that served me well in the Marines to what I do now. Motivation, perseverance, and resiliency (which just so happen to be three elements of my SEMPER Philosophy™ are the top three personal traits that empower me professionally, as well.
Q: What advice would you give other entrepreneurs?
A: Just Roll With It! 🙂 In all seriousness, there really does have to be an element of going with the flow with your business. You can never control for everything and you can’t do it ALL all right now. I work long hours and invest a lot in what I do, yet my mantra this year has been, “Force less. Flow more.” It seems to be working. 🙂
Q: Entrepreneurs are known to work crazy schedules. Do you believe that work-life balance exists? What does your balance look like?
A: I believe a work-life rhythm exists. I strive for balance, but even that word connotes a sense of perfection when the reality is that our business and personal lives have an ebb and flow we have to go with. I adjust my boundaries week by week, and always make sure to schedule time for my own health and well-being. I have to walk my talk about wellness or else I would be an inauthentic leader in the field. Too many entrepreneurs drive themselves into the ground, burn out, and then are no good to anyone; where, then, is the “service” in that?
Q: What are your long-range goals for Just Roll With It™?
A: To build it into a seminar series that can be authentically replicated. I am only one person and my guest expert speakers, too, can only be in one place at one time. Although we are bringing the seminar to at least 4 major cities this year, as the JRWI “Bootcamp” expands, my hope is that we can train others to carry the torch, as well, and bring holistic health and lasting wellness to our military members, veterans, and their families, friends, and communities. Ultimately, we want to propel a positive ripple effect forward that reaches beyond the veteran brotherhood and sisterhood.
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