Trusted Advisor / Willow
Template preview
Preview
Hi, I'm Sarah
Strategic Consultant
I help leaders sort through what's actually happening, decide what matters most, and build processes that work for real people—not just on paper.
Most people who reach out aren't entirely sure what they need yet. They just know something isn't working and they'd like to talk it through with someone who's been there before.
That's exactly what the first conversation is for.
You might be here because…
Your team keeps hitting the same roadblocks, and you're tired of patching symptoms
You're managing multiple priorities and need help deciding what actually deserves your time
The processes that got you here aren't scaling, and you need a thoughtful redesign
You're facing a transition—growth, restructure, new role—and want a steady thinking partner
You've inherited a mess and need help making sense of it without blame or drama
You want to lead differently but aren't sure where to start
How we work together
- 1
First conversation
Free, 30 minWe talk through what's happening, what you've tried, and whether I'm the right person to help. No pressure, no pitch—just an honest conversation.
- 2
Discovery session
We dig into the context, map the real constraints, and identify what success looks like. This usually takes 1-2 sessions and gives us a clear plan.
- 3
Ongoing partnership
We meet regularly (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) to work through your priorities. Some clients need a few months, others keep me as a sounding board for years.
→ Completely flexible—you decide what makes sense
How I work
Plain language
I don't use consultant-speak or frameworks with clever acronyms. If something sounds complicated, I'll find a clearer way to say it.
Context matters
I start by understanding your specific situation—your people, constraints, and history—before suggesting anything.
Practical, not perfect
I'm here to help you move forward, not create the theoretically optimal solution that never gets implemented.
Confidential & steady
Everything we discuss stays between us. I'm here to be a calm, consistent thinking partner, not a critic.
What people say
Sarah helped us see patterns we'd been missing for months. Her questions were simple but landed right where we needed them. Within a few weeks, we had a plan everyone actually understood.
Director of Operations, Tech Nonprofit
I came in feeling overwhelmed and left every session with clarity. Sarah doesn't tell you what to do—she helps you figure out what you already know but couldn't quite see yet.
Founder, Design Studio
Working with Sarah was like having a really smart, really kind friend who'd been through it before. No jargon, just thoughtful questions and practical next steps.
VP of Product, SaaS Startup
She listened more than she talked, which was exactly what I needed.
Head of Engineering, E-commerce Platform
A few useful notes
Things I've learned that might help you now
On choosing a consultant
The best fit is someone who asks about your constraints before proposing solutions. If you feel like you're being sold a methodology in the first conversation, keep looking.
Read the full noteQuestions to ask yourself first
Before we talk, it helps to think through: What's the cost of not addressing this? Who else needs to be part of the solution? What have you already tried?
I send this worksheet to everyone before our first call. Most people find it useful even if we never end up working together.
Download worksheetReading list for thoughtful leaders
A short, opinionated list of books I return to often. No business bestsellers—just clear thinking from people who've done the work.
Let's talk
If you're not sure whether I'm the right fit, that's exactly what the first conversation is for. Send me a message or pick a time that works—no forms, no pitch decks, just a conversation.
Send me an email
sarah@rizec.comOr book a time
See available slots
Response time
Usually same day
Availability
Taking new clients
→ I usually reply within a few hours. If you don't hear back by the next business day, check your spam folder or try again—something went wrong.