Sasa Evans
Sasa Evans is a certified life coach. She has an interest in supporting women with mindset shifts because she believes that shifting one’s mindset is the key ingredient to achieving desired goals. She believes women have had a row deal all their lives and her desire is to help them be lifted from those positions which oppress and keep them stuck. Therefore, in her own words, “a mindset shift to how we think, act, and do things is important.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I started my adult life as a primary teacher, retrained, and went on to secondary school training. I was one of the first people to train as Computer-integrated educators when it was introduced as a school subject in my country. When I moved to the UK I faced obstacles in finding teaching jobs as each time in interviews I was told I did not have British teaching experience. This made me wonder how on earth would I get that experience if no one was willing to give me a chance.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity I retrained as an adult health and social care assessor and got a job there. This difficulty in finding employment really shined the light on how women especially find it difficult to break through in different areas of the economy. The women I taught as an assessor had little skills and some were just resigned to their situations. This is where the desire to help women develop a growth mindset that helps them get unstuck and move from the situations they find themselves in grew in me.
My goal is to see women live the lives they deserve. I believe we all deserve a happy fulfilling life and that’s what I want to see women having.
I love traveling and I believe people should do things they love and not be hindered by stereotypes. I believe in forgiveness and my role model is Nelson Mandela, who despite spending 27 years in prison forgave his jailors. I believe forgiveness is really good for you as you free yourself from hate, pain, and anger.
Was there any turning point in your life that changed your journey? If so, what was it? Please tell us the backstory behind it.
My first marriage was very controlling and there was a lot of emotional abuse. I just lived a life that was mostly dictated by the other person. He constantly told me I could not survive without him. At that time I only had a diploma in primary education and he always said I could not pass a degree course. My daughter encouraged me to enroll at university when computer-integrated education was introduced as a subject. I enrolled and really applied myself first because I wanted to prove to myself that I can do it but mostly I wanted to prove my then-husband wrong.
I completed my degree cum laude. That brought confidence in me, and I started believing I could do what I set my mind on. I divorced him and moved abroad on my own.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea that made you start this brand? How did such a unique idea strike you, and what motivated you to “YES, go for it?”
I saw coaching as a way of reaching women and helping them. I also liked the fact that when I do online coaching I could reach even more women. I believe my story alone can help women in difficult relationships see that they too can have a better life. I believe just a little shift in mindset can open doors to greater things, that is why I’m such an advocate for mindset coaching for women.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
Currently, I’m rolling out a course called “Get unstuck- a mindset journey for women” In this course, I teach women about success and developing a success mindset. They go through activities and strategies to identify what is limiting them and I give them tools to overcome. I find that sometimes because of our situations, we doubt ourselves and we are the worst critics of ourselves. I help women to overcome this and refocus instead on things that uplift them.
I still do my 1-to-1 coaching and group coaching as I believe in sharing, engaging and supporting.
Everyone has their own set of challenges when starting an entrepreneurial journey. Still, the most essential part for others to learn is how you deal with those. Would you like to share with us your challenges and your coping mechanisms?
The challenge most people face is knowledge and finance. My challenge was getting the finance to do marketing. At the time I started my business I had been let go from my job because covid brought low enrolment at colleges. I remember I applied for different starter business loans and each time the doors just closed on my face. I then decided to take a part-time job as a caregiver so I could raise the income I needed to finance my business. It was hard but with the right mindset, I got to where I needed to be.
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I really am about supporting women to achieve their goals. I have been invited to talk on a different podcast. Presently I am an executive contributor for Brainz magazine and have just published a blog article there which I hope will reach a wider community and be positively impactful to those who read it.
I also have a book published called “Journal with purpose”, which has inspiring stories and messages of hope, and practical steps people can take to improve. I love journaling and I do it all the time as it helps me to articulate my thoughts
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would like everyone to get a fair chance in life to grow and bloom. I want peace for all and an end to suffering. I want people to open their hearts to helping others. That way we will all be in a better position than we are now. If you can open your heart to giving. It is good for you and wonderful for those who receive it. I sponsor a child in one of the poor communities in an African country and it is a joy receiving letters from him and just knowing that I am making a difference in someone’s life.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
My motto is to be compassionate to others. I believe it is sad to have everything in life and not share it with others. There is so much joy in giving. Giving is not only money, you can give of your time and spend it with a lonely neighbor, share or teach a skill with someone, and instead of having a hundred pairs of shoes, donate to those in need. Give and it shall be given unto you.
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women’s leadership today?
Honestly, I think the world would be a better place with women in leadership. There would be less conflicts as our mothering nature brings out compassion. Let’s go girls, the world is waiting for us to steer it in the right direction.
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Don’t let anyone tell you what you can or cannot do. You are capable of reaching your dreams. Keep the company of people who uplift you. Pride will make you fall and be brave to pursue your dream but never in an arrogant way. You were born for times like these, you can do it. I believe in you.