Meet Sara Webb: Founder & CEO

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

Hi Sara, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I never intended to own my own business OR be a salesperson! Sales scared me. The thought of pushing products to someone who didn’t want or need them did not sound like something that I wanted to do. Our industry has over a MILLION different products.  At InTandem, we create branding opportunities, conversations, and reminders to keep our clients’ at the forefront of their clients’.  Once I became part of this industry, I discovered that I wasn’t really selling. I was serving.  I have the opportunity to help businesses of all sizes increase their bottom line.  As my business grew, my clients’ needs changed and morphed.  It was in that moment that I became a CEO.  No training. No plans.  Nothing but experience in the industry (over 15 years!) and my relationships. Maybe I should have had a stronger thought process around the transition but I’ve also learned that some of the best business decisions that I have ever made around what my gut is telling me and this was the guttiest decision that I could have ever made!  

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
InTandem Promotions is a branding company that delivers what people crave now and always – a personal connection. Guided by the belief that emotions are at the heart of a truly memorable experience, InTandem creates meaningful, measurable branding programs that connect companies with the people they care about. What sets InTandem apart is our ability to discover what’s important – to the employee earning an incentive gift or the prospective customer using a promotional product. By understanding the emotions that motivate them, we can design the kind of products they will want to hold onto on their desks and in their home. InTandem’s grit and determination to succeed, to do what is right, to brand with purpose has been our fight for our clients.  With over 1,000,000 products to brainstorm on, our capabilities and ideas are endless.  This has also caused so many variables and lessons learned.

Just to name a few: 1. You are not the victim. There is always solution to a problem. Just make it happen. 2. Followup, Followup, Followup. 3. Perception is reality. Make sure the perception that you are putting out there is the right one. 4. Cash is King. Keep a strong reserve. 5. Relationships will you bring you through.  Make sure you keep the right kind.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta is a living, breathing, morphing, ever-changing city.  The culinary experience here is unreal and deliver a blend of history and culture that only the South can provide.   For my bestie, we would start with a catchup and gastro feast at Ponce City Market. Drinks at 9 Mile Station and maybe hanging out at Skyline Park. A few games and people watching for sure.  From there, totally a popsicle from King of Pops and then lunch at H&F Burger. Definitely picking up donuts for the morning at Five Daughters Bakery. Throw in a little shopping at Anthropologie and Sugarboo and I’m a happy camper.

Now that we are caught up on all things for day 2, let’s catch a ballgame at the Battery. Take a drink tour through all of the restaurants including margaritas at Superica, Punch Bowl Social, CRU, and Taps. Take in a Braves win and people watch.  

With all of that excitement, now I want to chill. We’re heading up to BlueRidge for a getaway. Horseback-riding, Grumpy Old Man Brewery, Pizza, hot tubs, and wine! Great shopping and a little relaxation. Then it’s back to the city for more shopping at Buckhead Village and for sure dinner at the Optimist. Now that my friend is a great week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
How many characters do I get?! You don’t create, keep, and maintain a successful organization without your village, tribe, team, and support system. The teal in our InTandem color is specific because of my mentor, Janelle Nevins.  Janelle was an industry icon and I had the privilege to work with her for a number of years. When she passed and we opened our doors, I needed to take Janelle with me. She was strong, driven, smart, creative, and a woman-leader that I will always aspire to be.

Along with her, a total shout out needs to go to Larry Moran, Sally Freedman, and Marsha Londe. All of whom, I owe my product knowledge, creative and problem solving skills, and the foundation of the love of the industry from.

As I built InTandem, there were so many vendor-partners who supported InTandem and helped to give us wings – David Walker, Sean Lee, and many others. Without their support, we would not have had product to sell.

A shoutout to my amazing team that helped me to cut my teeth as a leader – Winfield Dean and Hanna Barker and Katie Pereira and Kim Falch – the original OGs! And then my peer network including The Partnering Group, GWBC (Roz Lewis – a tremendous mentor, friend and navigator), Launchpad2x (Bernie Dixson – chief networker, woman advocate, and champion of creative negotiator).

We’re not done and continue to learn, grow and build.  We are constantly learning, trying new things, and different approaches.  We are so thankful to the supportive community that stands behind Woman-Owned Businesses and Woman-Owned Small Businesses to continue to lift us up.

Website: www.intandempromotions.com
Instagram: @teamintandem
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/intandem-promotions-inc-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InTandemPromotions