Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Sarah A Scala: Throughout my 25+ year career I have supported leaders and organizations in talent development. Earlier in my career I ran a consulting firm specializing in these ares for an employer. I always had a desire to be an entrepreneur and made the decision to start my business 13 years ago in these same areas of focus.
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Sarah A Scala Consulting?
Sarah A Scala: Sarah Scala Consulting, a certified woman-owned and LGBT Business Enterprise®, provides organization and leadership development, executive coaching, LGBTQ+ leadership coaching, change management, public speaking facilitation, and team development solutions. Serving as consultant, coach, and educator, our work increases client revenue, reduces turnover, creates business value, and transforms performance of leaders, and teams, helping them reach their highest potential.
Great Companies: What makes Sarah A Scala Consulting different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Sarah A Scala: Sarah A Scala consulting is different from many competitors in the areas of coaching, speaking and leadership development because we are both a certified woman-owned and LGBT Business Enterprise®, allowing us to support these unique markets. In addition, we have over 25+ years experience in success in these areas supporting many diverse industries and geographies. We don't provide just one solution, but often a combination of multiple solutions to best meet client needs and produce strong ROI.
Great Companies: What were the struggles and challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?
Sarah A Scala: Sarah A Scala Consulting faced early challenges with launching my small business. These included understanding how to start a legal business, getting an EIN number, type of business, and marketing suggestions. Later in my business, I had a challenge with safely coming out as an LGBTQ+ owned business, how to best market and promote this unique certification to the market. During the COVID-19 pandemic I had the challenge of all of my in-person solutions immediately being moved to 100% virtual. I overcame these challenges by seeking support from SCORE mentors, the MA LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and redesigning my services to be virtual friendly.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What does 5 years down the line look like for Sarah A Scala Consulting?
Sarah A Scala: Sarah A Scala Consulting plans to grow by expanding Team Coaching and Public Speaking solutions, in addition to the use of SEO and public speaking for marketing.
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Sarah A Scala: I highly recommend partnering with SCORE.org to locate skilled mentors that can help small business owners, especially at the start. I have partnered with SCORE from the start of my business to today. I currently have four mentors: Sales, Marketing, Legal and Financial that are available to meet with and get advice and questions answers as my company grows and evolves. SCORE is a part of the US Small Business Association and the mentors provide counseling at no cost!