Entrepreneurial Alumni

Sarah Becker (nee Miller)

Posted 01 April 2016

London Program

March 2008 Intake

Sarah Becker, who is a graduate of the College of Saint Benedict, MN, recently updated us on the purchase and re-branding of her own business, Clear Simple Business www.clearsimplebusiness (formerly Clear Simple Living). It was previously a home and office organizaton business, however Sarah has re-branded it to focus on process improvements and automation for small to mid-sized businesses. Clear Simple Business specializes in helping organizations build, repair and optimise processes so they can get on with their business. In Sarah’s words, “seeing the lightbulbs turn on for my clients is the most rewarding experience I have had thus far. Being able to create simplicity out of chaos for them is a wonderful feeling! From this simplicity they are able to take their businesses to the next level with more confidence and clarity”. Sarah is the owner and currently the sole employee.

Describe your business and your role within it.
At Clear Simple Business I specialize in helping organizations build, repair and optimize processes so they can get back to doing what they do best. I am the owner and sole employee.

How did you get into this line of business?
I have always wanted to own my own business. Recently I started soul searching and exploring my skills, strengths and what comes easy to me. I realized that organizing, creating systems and establishing clear, simple processes out of chaos are my key strengths. From there I started the process of establishing myself as a process improvement expert in my local area. My time working for BGC partners during the March 2008 Programme was really the building blocks to understanding my technical abilities and enhancing my skills. It was there where I learned and mastered excel and have since been using that foundation to help learn and build numerous other systems and processes within organizations.

I purchased the business as a physical organizing business and am currently working through re-branding it to have a focus on small businesses, processes and systems. I am setting it up by creating a clear and concise message and getting myself out there in front of my target clients.

What else is in the pipeline?
In the short term I am focused on re-branding the company and targeting small fast growing companies in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota USA area. In the long term I plan to strategically setup my business to take on mid to large sized companies nationwide as well as adding on additional employees.

What has been the proudest moment in your working life thus far?
Seeing the lightbulbs turn on for my clients is the most rewarding experience I have had thus far. Being able to create simplicity out of chaos for them is a wonderful feeling! From this simplicity they are able to take their businesses to the next level with more confidence and clarity.

What has been your biggest mistake/learning experience?
The biggest mistake I have made is not having a clear message and brand to present to clients.

Any words of advice/wisdom would you impart to others thinking of setting up their own business?
Don’t underestimate the time it takes to setup a business. There will be months/years of hard work and long hours and initially you will see few results. Don’t let that discourage you. Keep it up and you will see positive results. Keep in mind: nothing worth doing is ever easy!! Leaving your friends and family behind for a year in London/New York with Mountbatten wasn’t easy, but it was worth it!! Remember that whenever you are doing something that makes you uncomfortable.