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Meet Sandra Lassiter

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra Lassiter.

Sandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Hello, I’m Sandra Lassiter. I’m a business and life coach for professionals and entrepreneurs who feel stuck in some area of their life, career or business. They’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, and joined the webinars from some of the most predominant thought leaders and motivational speakers in our culture today, but nothing changes. As a coach, I help them explore new ideas and discover what changes to make so they can feel enthusiastic about their future and their ability to make it happen.

How I Got Here: My career evolved methodically. I began as a business teacher at a community college in Savannah, Georgia. I loved teaching and helping others learn and progress so they could achieve their goals and aspirations. Still do.

After teaching in the classroom for several years, I was ready for a new challenge. Building upon that experience, I entered corporate America, going into professional training at a software development company in Phoenix, Arizona. I traveled all over the country teaching and helping clients implement new software systems into their businesses. I loved working with clients and helping them to integrate change and succeed in their businesses. After several years of intensive travel, flying on Sunday and flying home Friday evening, travel fatigue and homesickness settled in and I knew it was time for me to get off the road.

The Climb: At this stage, I was ready to take my love of teaching and business to the next level. I put my sights on product management, a profession that would challenge me in new ways and allow me to expand my scope of responsibility. I love the big picture view of a product line or service suite and is responsible for all aspects of its growth and success. My persistence paid off and I landed a job in product management with the same company.

For the next 15 years, I worked in some form of product management. I’ve managed multiple software product lines and services suites and even worked in publishing where I directed all functions of product development.

Somewhere along the way, while I was enjoying my work and building a successful career, I was also questioning what it all meant in the grand scheme of things.

Although I had so many things that I wanted in my life, I had a feeling that something was missing but I didn’t know what. As time continued to pass, a sinking feeling that “this was it” continued to grow.

Because I didn’t know anything else, I continued along and eventually found myself in an executive role in product management where I led all product strategy and managed P&Ls with combined annual revenue of over $150M.

The Shock and Disintegration: By this time, I was feeling pretty burned out. Excessive responsibility, long commutes, long hours combined with regular travel, I was tired ALL THE TIME. As time went on, I was enjoying my work less and going through the motions more. I knew things weren’t right; I was ready for a big change but had no idea what to do or where to begin.

I had accomplished everything I had worked for, including a comfortable six figure income. Now what? A life that I had envisioned and worked so hard for now felt meaningless and tedious. Not knowing what to do or what to change, I just kept going.

And then the day came, a shocking, catastrophic reorganization. My coveted and admired job was eliminated, along with everyone else’s in the division. A perfect opportunity to make a change, but not knowing what my next move would be; I hung on to the only life I knew. I accepted an executive position with the newly organized company and hoped for the best.

The Big Leap: Finally, some months later, I couldn’t ignore the misery of the situation any longer. There I was, in a job that was exponentially less fulfilling in every way than my last position.

For years I took a sleep aid most every night to help me fall and stay asleep. I was always trying to manage gastrointestinal issues, and I struggled with low energy 24/7 which required me to push my way through everything I needed to do. And my outlook for the future was depressing.

I had no choice; I had to make a move or continue to die a slow death. This ride was over; it was time to get off and find something new that both inspired and challenged me.

Bottom line: It was time to leave corporate America.

After nine years of working for this company, I woke up one spring morning and decided to finally leave and pursue my passion for yoga and my 10-year dream of opening my studio. Once I decided to pursue my dream, I never looked back.

On my final day in corporate America, I drove out of the parking lot and away from a life that no longer served me, and towards a life completely new and unknown. It was one of the proudest and happiest days of my life. I was free. The kind of free I hadn’t experienced since I was a kid, on a warm summer day, riding around on my Schwinn bicycle that I converted with stingray handle bars and a banana seat.

Leaving the security and the prosperous salary of a 25-year career was one of the bravest things I’ve ever done. Little did I know then that leaping into entrepreneurship was going to require even more courage. After eighteen months of planning, strategizing, certifying, and teaching; I opened my yoga business.

I thought my many years of business experience in corporate America prepared me for owning a small business. I couldn’t have been more wrong! I worked longer and harder than I’ve ever worked before to get my yoga business off the ground, into profitability, and eventually into a mature and successful business.

I love the practice of yoga and all the health benefits it provides. I also loved serving my community and getting to know my clients as a local business owner. However, being open seven days a week, 362 days a year was confining. Once the studio was a well-oiled machine, I started to dream about what could be next for me. Leaving corporate America and running my yoga studio were big steps toward my future as a coach.

A New Dream Was Emerging: After seven successful years in business, it was time again to try something new. After taking some time off and doing some soul searching, I decided to train to be a Life Coach.

I had been the recipient of life coaching several years earlier and experienced firsthand its benefits. Life Coaching gave me a fresh perspective that helped me to move past the struggles that were holding me back so I could move forward in my life. I wanted to learn more and explore the idea of becoming a coach as my next profession.

Midway through the training, I was experiencing incredible progress for myself as well as the clients I was coaching. This is when I decided that I wanted to launch a coaching business and help others that we’re struggling to move past survival mode to be energized and enthusiastic about their future.

Where I am Today: Today, I get to combine my educator’s perspective, business acumen, life coaching skills, and everything I’ve learned along the way to help my clients break through barriers that hold them back from what they want in life. I help my clients make bold moves that propel them forward in their careers and their lives.

I’m very grateful for my journey, but I had my share of struggle and learned many things the hard way. As human beings, we’re never completely free of struggle. But you CAN decrease the struggle and, in turn, create more of what you want in life. And I can help you. I love my work as a coach and am grateful for the opportunities I have to make a tangible difference in my clients’ lives. AND, being free from the restraints of corporate life, the limitations of a retail business, and being completely in control of my path feels pretty amazing too!

Tell us more about the business.
What I do/specialize in: Sandra is a business and life coach who specializes in working with clients who are craving a change but feel stuck where they are. I help them discover a new vision of the future and follow through on their ideas with enthusiasm and confidence.

What sets me apart/what I’m most proud of: With a diverse background that spans more than three decades, Sandra combines her educator’s perspective, business acumen, life coaching skills, and everything she’s learned along the way to help her clients make bold moves that advance them forward in their careers and their lives.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t consider luck in life or business. I believe that your ability to think positively, to learn new things, and to take action (even when there’s risk involved) are primary drivers in life and business.

Contact Info:

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