Sarah Mills, the visionary behind Ink & Olive, has transformed her passion for social media into a thriving business that empowers her to work from anywhere in the world. With a career that began in real estate social media management, Sarah’s journey from employee to entrepreneur is a testament to her dedication and adaptability. In this interview, she reveals how her experiences shaped the creation of Ink & Olive, shares her strategies for balancing business and travel, and offers invaluable advice for women looking to forge their own path in the social media landscape. Sarah’s story is an inspiring reminder that with a clear vision and determination, you can create a career that aligns with your dreams and lifestyle.
What motivated you to start Ink & Olive, and how did your previous experience in social media influence this decision?
I started Ink & Olive so that I could have the freedom, funds, and flexibility to work while traveling the world. Having worked in social media since 2013, I knew that I could serve my clients at the highest level, even while remote.
Can you share your journey from working in social media to starting your own business? What were some key milestones?
My very first job in social media in 2013 was for a real estate agent with Keller Williams. I worked for her for about a year before eventually managing social media for that Keller Williams office. After about two years of working for that office, I was ready to start my own business. I was lucky to have real estate agents from that office as clients before I even put in my two weeks notice. While each Keller Williams office is individually owned and operated, there are six offices in Virginia that fall under the same operating umbrella. That company is currently my largest client.
It feels very full circle to be working with Keller Williams in my current capacity. I’m grateful for all of my clients and for the shift I’m currently experiencing within my business.
I recently released a self-paced online course and community called The Social Media Business Academy. The course teaches all of the completely recreatable steps I took to build my business.
I’m not special- I never had investors or hired coaches. I don’t want to hire employees or have a hundred clients. I want to have a booked out client calendar that allows me to work hard for my clients while traveling the world and living the life I want to live. Now that I’ve been experiencing that life for the past couple of years, I want to help other social media marketers grow their own successful businesses that allow them to live their dreams.
How have you balanced the need for flexibility with the demands of running your own business?
After working from Lisbon for a month in the fall of 2022, I realized how badly I crave routine. The bedroom in my apartment didn’t have any windows so it was more difficult to get out of bed in the morning. I made new friends on arrival and found it challenging to pursue my own business goals, beyond completing my client work- I wanted to get out of the apartment and join my friends each day.
Now when I travel, I ensure I keep my morning routine and invest in my own business growth.
I spent last summer in Bali and joined a coworking space and gym for the six weeks I was there. I went on a walk each morning and challenged myself to complete the course that I’m so proud of today.
So while I value flexibility, I balance that flexibility with routine.
What challenges have you faced while building Ink & Olive, and how have you overcome them?
Comparison is a challenge that I’m constantly overcoming. Working in social media makes it impossible to live completely offline and we’ve all fallen victim to comparing our everyday to others’ highlight reels.
I overcome this by reminding myself of how far I’ve come. It’s also important to embrace our own uniqueness and weirdness that makes us all incomparable.
How do you stay motivated and focused in your role as a business owner?
I stay motivated by picturing my next milestone. And while I’ll continue to have new goals and plans, I also appreciate where I am now and how far I’ve come.
What role has mental health played in your entrepreneurial journey, and how do you manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance?
I am so grateful for my business and the flexibility that it affords. Even when I’m not traveling, I love being able to take a break during the day to go on walks, grab a coffee, or get ahead on chores. And those walks do wonders for my mental health. I also prioritize sleep. I need 9 hours to feel human.
Can you describe a significant moment or turning point in your career that has shaped your approach to business?
Working from Bali for six weeks without having any overlapping business hours gave me all the faith in myself that I need to continue to work while traveling.
I’ve stopped stressing about telling clients that I’ll be working from abroad and instead, look forward to exceeding their expectations.
What advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business or make a career change?
It’s so much easier said than done but just do it. Make the decision, tell your sphere about your decision, and get to work.
And it doesn’t have to be this giant leap of faith.
I had multiple clients before leaving my 9-5. You can build up your business income while building up your confidence and then ditch the desk.
How do you approach client relationships and ensure you’re meeting their needs while managing your own business?
I have weekly calls with my clients so I can learn what they have going on for the week and request content from them. They can also reach me by phone and email and, when they contact me outside of business hours, they know I’ll get back to them as soon as I can.
It’s a continual work in progress but I try to manage my own business like it’s a client. I use the same content planning calendar that I’ve developed over the years for my business that I use for each of my clients. Client work gets done first because that’s what pays the bills and affects my reputation and then I work on my own business.
What strategies have you found effective in maintaining flexibility while still achieving your business goals?
I feel like I addressed this above but having a routine.
How do you continue to grow and develop professionally while managing the demands of your business?
As a solopreneur, it’s especially important to push my own business developement. I am always taking an online class or reading a business book to expand my business knowledge and challenge myself.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned about resilience and adaptability in your career?
My family moved around a lot when I was growing up and, while I didn’t love it at the time, it’s made me very adaptable. While it’s great to have a plan, it’s just as important to roll with the punches when things come up.
At the end of 2023 I lost a couple clients due to the real estate market. It’s my job as the social media expert to caution my clients against getting rid of their digital marketing when business is slow but their minds were made up.
Instead of becoming overly stressed or searching for any client to pay the bills, I used my extra time to finish The Social Media Business Academy and focus on helping social media marketers grow their own businesses.
How do you stay connected to your purpose and passion in your work, especially during challenging times?
I love my business, my work, and my clients. While I definitely experience challenging times, my most stressful experiences haven’t been related to work. So when I’ve gone through those experiences, like a car accident, moving, and friend break ups, it’s been my business that’s been the constant that I’m grateful for. And while I’ve lost clients and had slower times, keeping that abundance mindset and manifesting what you want helps bring focus and next steps.
What advice do you have for women who want to pursue a career in social media or start their own media-focused business?
Just make the decision and start telling your sphere what you’re working toward. This does two things- it holds you accountable to pursuing your business goals and it can help you get clients! And if you’re looking for step-by-step guidance to fast track your business, join The Social Media Business Academy!
How do you foster a supportive and empowering environment for women in your field?
I love making Instagram friends and am lucky that a few have turned into IRL friends. I hype up my fellow small business owners online and answer questions and offer guidance when it’s requested of me. I also have a few free resources to help small business owners and those just starting their businesses, like a social media content planning calendar and a PDF to help business owners navigate discovery calls.
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