HER STORY ⟡ Sarah Thress
From Consulting to Real Estate: How Sarah Thress is Empowering First-Time Buyers & Women Navigating Divorce
Hey all!
My name is Sarah Thress. I’m originally from Oklahoma and now live in Columbus with my 4 kids, 2 dogs and husband.
I have my MBA and after a decade of consulting and fundraising, I switched to real estate.
And I’m so glad I did! Being an agent combines what I loved about development (relationships) with customer service and helping people’s dreams come true. I have absolutely loved this career change and have kept asking myself what more I can do. So I started a podcast- Come to Find Out- to help 1st time home buyers/sellers and anyone who hasn’t bought or sold in the past few years. I think 1st time home buyers and sellers are the underdog of the real estate world and I love helping them. I also have a book and an online course to help 1st time home buyers learn more.
Thinking about what people ask me for advice about, divorce and real estate kept coming up. So, I decided to niche into divorces. I have been through one myself and coached several people through them, so I created a group to help women going through a divorce or the loss of a spouse. Thrive & Decide helps women deal with these life situations better and prepare for their next adventure. I have networked with professionals including divorce attorneys, financial planners, estate attorneys, narcissistic coaches, insurance brokers, financial coaches etc.. They’re are all passionate about helping women, and many have experienced a divorce or loss. Thrive & Decide is also the name of the second podcast I created, where women share their stories of loss and divorce, and professionals help by discussing their services and giving tips.
This career path has opened up the entrepreneurial side I never knew I had and has sparked so much creativity in me. I finally feel like I am on the path I was meant to be on.
Why I started:
I started my journey into real estate to diversify my income and help people. I felt like development was turning into a transaction approach instead of a relationship building approach and I didn’t like that. I also realized I love helping 1st time buyers, an underserved population. When I wanted to do more I niched into divorces as well.
What I love about being a business owner:
I absolutely love that I can work from wherever and whenever. I know that the more I put into it the more I will get out of it, but if I am having a down day or experiencing an issue, or my kids need something I can be there and not worry about “calling off” or having enough PTO. I also love that I can travel whenever I want to because I can work from wherever- that is my definition of work life balance. I also love that I get to control the narrative and only partner with people who will provide 5 star customer service so I never have to worry when I refer someone to a service. I also love that I can create the impact I want, not only in the real estate and divorce worlds but also in philanthropic ways. I get to help change the world the way I want to.
What type of impact do you hope to have on those you meet and/or who purchase your products?
I hope that I can create a lasting effect on people so they feel seen, heard and supported while on this journey to one of their largest purchases. I want to be such a resource for people that they know they can reach out to me anytime for anything and I will have someone to connect them to. I also hope to make a global impact with my Thrive & Decide business not only in real estate, but also in the divorce and loss space. I want to make sure women have access to all the resources they need while grieving their losses. I hope everyone feels loved and supported when they are around me. It is a ripple effect- you put good out into the world, you spark change and good comes back to you.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired daily by women who break glass ceilings and think outside of the box. I love watching women succeed- especially the ones who don’t think life is one big competition and believe in helping those behind them achieve more. I am inspired by people like Cathy Heller, Kate Northrup, Tracy Litt and Kathrin Zenika, just to name a few. They are shining examples of how changing your thinking will change your world, and they don’t subscribe to the hustle culture! They have really helped me get out of my comfort zone and grow.
What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve ever received or favorite quote?
You don’t have to subscribe to hustle culture. Dream big, then dream bigger. But my favorite quote is “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”- Norman Vincent Peale
What does Beauty mean to you?
Beauty to me is so much more than what you can see on the outside. Beauty comes from within. The most beautiful people are the ones with good energy and good intentions; who cheer loudly for others and create ripples of joy and happiness in the world.
What advice would you give your past self just starting your business?
Girl- stop overthinking and just jump. Do it messy and grow as you build. It’s ok to fail forward- every “failure” is just a lesson, learn from it and move on and keep building.
What would you like our Beauty Boost members to know?
I am so excited to be a part of this tribe of like minded, bad ass women. I love connecting people with what they need, so never hesitate to reach out.
