Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah-Nell Walsh.
Hi Sarah-Nell, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my career as a construction litigator at Kilpatrick Townsend in 2004 and ended my legal career as a financial services litigation partner with Baker Donelson. In the fall of 2016, I thought I had it all together – I was rocking it at work, my kids were finally both in elementary school. In fact, I had it SO together that we decided to open our home to foster children. This was a dream that had long been on my heart.
In January of 2018, two and a half year old twins arrived at our house with only the clothes on their back. They didn’t even have the famed garbage bags that you hear so much about. With their arrival, my life was forever changed. They arrived with developmental delays and emotional scars that no one can prepare you for.
The first month, I cried myself to sleep almost every night, bruised from holding the twins as they fought their way into our world. As I drove myself to work every day, I was constantly worried that I wasn’t doing enough, loving them enough, or that I simply could never BE enough. But I kept showing up – at work and at home – no matter how broken I felt.
I was humbled by the outpouring of love and support from friends near and far. And, when life brought me to my knees, my village gently lifted me to my feet and reflected back my highest self. They reflected back a kind, beautiful, resilient, courageous, powerful woman that I’d never seen in the mirror. It was a true gift. And I carried that vision with me.
In June of 2018, the twins finally settled in and we started having FUN as a family of six. We spent magical nights at the pool and had nightly dance parties. Then, at the end of August, the twins were taken from our home as violently as they had arrived. And, after we stood on our front porch waving a final goodbye with brave faces and big smiles, masking our broken hearts, I broke into a million pieces.
And, when I turned my full attention back to the practice of law, I found myself sitting in the parking garage trying to muster the energy to go into a job I loved . . . or had loved. As I put the pieces of my life back together, my job felt like a dress that was two sizes too small. I’d simply outgrown it.
I wanted to fully live into that kind, beautiful, resilient, courageous, powerful woman that my friends had reflected back to me and there was no way for me to do that as a litigator. After nine months of living heart forward, assuming good intent, and trusting in the universe, I didn’t want to return to the scorched earth, skeptical, duplicitous world of litigation.
So, I set about deciding what it was I wanted to do. I knew that I wanted to take all of the things that I loved about being an attorney – collaborating with brilliant minds, serving as a trusted advisor, and solving hard problems – into my next role. And I decided to become a coach. My husband told me, “You have been successful at everything you’ve ever done and I know you’ll succeed at this.”
So, I called on the courage and hope that I’d cultivated as a foster parent and borrowed my husband’s courage to launch Wayfinders Executive Coaching. I’m not sure I would have taken this leap if it wasn’t for the twins. I gave notice at my law firm on 2/1/2019, launched my website on 3/1/2019, and never looked back.
I feel like I am doing the work that I was put on this earth to do and couldn’t be prouder of the legacy I’m leaving in this world through executive coaching. I now have a job that I don’t want to retire from!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Ha! It has not been a smooth road. My friend’s joke that I blew up my life two years in a row. In 2018, we opened our home to foster care and took in special needs twins. In 2019, I quit my job and started Wayfinders Executive Coaching. Then, in 2020, the pandemic blew up everyone’s definition of normal. Nothing about birthing this business has been easy, but it’s all been worth it.
One anecdotal story:
On 12/29/18, we woke up to three feet of water in our basement – a basement that had NEVER flooded before. I had JUST decided to launch Wayfinders and we had JUST liquidated our savings. Instead of investing in this new venture, we pumped out the water, installed a sump pump, and bought a new furnace, a new HVAC, + two new hot water heaters.
It felt as if the universe was against us. It felt as if this flood was a sign that this new business was destined to fail. It felt as if this flood was going to be the thing that kept me from fulfilling my dream of starting Wayfinders Executive Coaching.
But, here’s the thing – IT DIDN’T. I trusted that the DREAM of Wayfinders was my future and vowed that nothing (including a $10,000+ repair bill) would stand in my way. So, I woke up earlier. I worked harder. I leaned into my strengths. And four years later, MY DREAM IS A REALITY.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Wayfinders is a collective of executive coaches and trusted advisors who empower professionals to take their careers and companies to the next level. Our work is designed to disrupt the status quo, ignite leadership, and provide the needed skill development to enable great leadership and deliver great outcomes.
We are known for our big hearts and transformational outcomes. We work with individuals who seek to take their careers and businesses to a new level yet need help working through the mindset, strategy, and actions needed to get there. Equal parts big-hearted supporters and bold challengers, Wayfinders coaches create a space where you are seen and valued. In this space, there is no need for apologies or excuses because your coach is 100% on your side, even when they hold you accountable. We are laser-focused on deeply understanding our client’s strengths, values and needs; then connecting them to dynamic business performance and results.
We want your readers to know that the future they desire IS possible. There is a reason they are dreaming that dream and longing for that next level of success. Wayfinders coaches can help them get there.
Our work focuses on ambitious professionals who seek to grow their businesses, gain influence and make their desired impact. We offer our clients high-touch coaching on a wide range of issues, including: leading a team, advancing their careers, creating a stand-out personal brand, growing their business, and developing strategic relationships. Focused on the holistic success of our clients, we seek to empower them to navigate the cross-currents of life + work without guilt. One size fits one – each engagement is tailored to the client’s needs and goals.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I believe that acting in alignment with my core values of authenticity, trust, belonging, courage, and possibility is the key to my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wayfindersexecutivecoaches.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wayfinders.coaches
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wayfinderscoaches/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wayfinderscoaches/
Image Credits
Deana Kingsbury
