Meet Denise Sarkor | Founder and Chief Empowerment Officer, Business Strategist & Executive Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Denise Sarkor and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Denise, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
We all have value. We are born worthy, and if I’m honest, it was that realization that drove me to take the leap and start my own company. After acknowledging that every employer who had extended me a job offer—and paid me what I negotiated for—was still going to make a return on their investment in me as a human resource or asset, it hit me that I couldn’t even begin to imagine how limitless, how special, how valuable human life is. How did I arrive at this realization, you might be asking. Well, the way most of us do—through a personal challenge. Through that shocking experience on the job, let’s just say, I woke up, and I began to truly understand why it wasn’t wise to place “all of [my] eggs in one basket.” At that point, I had already learned the importance of earning more than I spent. You know. Basic cashflow management. What I learned next was the foundation of putting my earnings to work—not just saving for a rainy day, but actually, investing my own savings for a return and learning that there are multiple ways to do that. One way was to invest in my own upskilling and eventually, into building my own coaching practice. Under the LLC I founded in 2016, I published my first book of poetry Clean Closet (Side note: I have a framed, handwritten note on my wall from Nikki Giovanni telling me how much she enjoyed reading it), successfully raised funds via Kickstarter and fulfilled promises to pledges, funded my ICF coaching certification, and to date, have coached over 2,500 career professionals, aspiring entrepreneurs and students throughout the U.S. and internationally. This year, my Atlanta based business New Roots Living turned 5 years old, and had I not pursued this venture, I don’t believe I would have discovered just how much potential was there all along.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 2016, New Roots Living’s life and business coaching services support career professionals, aspiring business owners and students in gaining clarity, charting a path and achieving results. We offer 1-on-1 and group coaching, and facilitate community workshops. Our goal is to help people establish New Roots holistically so that they might experience fuller, healthier lives.

We coach the New Roots community to authentic power. We promote healing and transformation mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, socially and spiritually, believing that a healthy, whole individual can be a catalyst for positive change within their homes, on their jobs and in the wider community. Even our most impressive clients come in need of life coaching before we even get to career or business coaching; the traumas experienced by women of color—our most common client—are significant and a holistic, individual approach is very much needed.

In reflecting on our journey as a company, I would say that we got to where we are one client interaction at a time, listening and then, supporting our clients in the ways that they needed. Along the way, we faced challenges around launching new services and forming external partnerships, but with effort, we succeeded in both areas. To date, we’ve offered a range of coaching packages and partnered with various institutions, including the SBA, SCORE, ACE Loans and the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that mindset, a positive attitude, understanding client needs and being consistent, are the keys to success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When I have family and friends visit from out of state, I love hosting and showing them what the city has to offer. For the active visitor, I enjoy going for walks or bike rides along the Beltline and into Piedmont Park. As far as cuisine, I’m a huge fan of Atlanta’s Farm-to-Table offerings and love to expose visitors to restaurants such as Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours and JCT Kitchen & Bar. For the history buffs, I enjoying taking them to the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park and any other Atlanta Museum, depending on their interest. I’ve also found the Georgia Aquarium to be a great option, especially for visitors with young children. If we are all lucky, there’s some sort of festival or concert going on, and that would, of course, be a great option.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Marc Parham, Program Director of The Entrepreneurship Center at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta. I sat in his workshops and gained both knowledge and confidence. I’m forever grateful.

Website: https://linktr.ee/denisesarkor