LLSA Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards: Joy ... Beyond Freedom

Sara Hand was driving over the Howard Franklin Bridge early one morning in 2006, when she had a shocking realization.

“I was on my way to a conference and I suddenly thought, ‘I’m not breathing,’” says Hand. “I began to ask myself, ‘What do I really want to do?’”

Hand was working as vice president of sales and marketing for a disaster-recovery company at the time.

“I spent some time figuring out what I like to do best, and that’s seeing people’s lives change,” says Hand.

Hand, who has a master’s degree in clinical Christian counseling, began writing a newsletter entitled, Joy … Beyond Freedom. A year later, she launched her career as a perspective coach by starting a business under the same name.

“I work with people who have great goals and plans, but they’re not sure how to get there,” says Hand. “I help them formulate a plan and stay on track.”

The perspective coach says that one of the biggest issues her clients face is breaking down their ultimate goals.

“Instead of just saying you’re going to write a book, start with a blog post, a short story or even a list of titles,” says Hand.

Hand says that of all the tools and guidance she provides for her clients, some of the best advice comes from what she’s learned in her own life: “Sometimes you just need to take a break, stop and breathe.”

BUSINESS BASICS

Address: 2344 Bee Ridge Road, Suite 115, Sarasota

Start Date: 2007

Number of employees when started: One

Number of employees now: One

Advice: Be aware that life is all about choices.

Where do you see your business one year from now? More grounded and maybe with a couple more employees.