Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Geltz.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was fortunate to be raised by a very strong woman who made sure I knew that there were no limits – unless you set them yourself. I was taught that I could go after any opportunity – or make a new one. I always wanted to be an attorney – but I also was 100% financially responsible for my education and knew I needed some work experience. After graduating from USF, I entered the workforce in a research and marketing role. I am very analytical, but also a people person. I realized I needed and craved interaction and I wanted to transition to a sales role. I was told I could not get a sales role without experience and decided to make my own experience. I approached a new market urban planning and engineering firm and was able to gain experience in an outside-facing role handling their marketing and proposal creation. I was able to parlay that back into the original sales role I had vied for with Gannett – seems crazy now but in the late 1990’s print media was IT. But was changing as internet became widely used, and of in the wake of 9/11 – newspaper advertising saw dramatic drops. I decided it was time to get out of my comfort zone and I left Southwest Florida and moved to Orlando, looking for something new.
I attended a career fair and remember vividly a pharmaceutical manager telling me he couldn’t talk to me because I didn’t have the right experience. I persisted and he told me if I was there at the end of the day, he would give me a few minutes. I waited, and at the end of the day he somewhat grudgingly interviewed me. That interview led to another and to another and within a week, I was off to training. That manager became a mentor and friend and to this day, is the standard I hold myself to in managing my own team. I am forever grateful that I waited around that day. My years in the pharmaceutical and medical sales industry gave me countless opportunities. I achieved sales success, but more importantly I was challenged by progressing through increasing levels of responsibility, various specialties and call points, roles in sales training, leadership development, operations and management. That industry also saw change. The role of the “rep” diminished, and layoffs and mergers became the norm.
One day, I came home to my husband and said, hey – I’m going to go to law school… He looked at me like I was crazy but was fully supportive. I worked full time and went to school at night. I doubled up on scheduling, changed my role to an Independent Sales position and completed my program six months early and in the top 10% of my class. I threw myself into studying for the Bar, passed and took an in-house counsel position with a financial group. While I loved what I was doing, I knew there was more that I wanted and shortly after my partner started her firm, we talked about my making a move “eventually.” Eventually, became a phone call on a Friday saying I would be there Monday. That alignment has led to immeasurable personal and professional growth for our firm and in our lives. We now have five attorneys in a variety of practice areas, a non-profit foundation with a mission of supporting our local community, a title company that has seen incredible growth every year! We are actually preparing to launch a second brand in the title and settlement market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth roads seem to exist only in the movies. Everyone, in every walk of life has challenges. For me in my early career, it was my fear and probably a little insecurity. There was not a lot of industry in SWFL and I felt stuck. I knew I wanted different but didn’t know what. I was scared to make a big move and that kept me somewhat stuck for the first 5-6 years of my career.
I thrived personally and professionally in my role in medical sales. I was challenged and respected and had a fantastic mentor who gave me tremendous confidence and opportunity. However, that industry has changed, and the role is dramatically different than it was 20 years ago. Companies can hire and outsource 3 roles for what some tenured professionals were making. The writing was on the wall. With that said – going back to school – at 36 is a challenge. Doing it at night, with a family and a full time job is beyond daunting. I missed a lot. Soccer games, movie nights, birthday parties – but had the end goal in mind. I also had a baby in the middle of my second year. I took finals when he was 10 days old and went back to school and work when he was five weeks old. I studied for the bar with a one-year old – and passed. So maybe less than smooth, but something short of struggle is the most accurate description.
I took some big risks – but they have paid off big. Quitting a salaried position to strike out in a firm is scary, but so rewarding – I have never been happier than when controlling my own destiny.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We pour ourselves into everything we do. Kendrick Law Group, Champion Title and Closing, Park Title and Hope for More Foundation all reflect what we truly want in life and business. Taking what we do and creating a successful business allows us to meet our number one goal – giving back to our community. We do that through our foundation and through the organizations we are involved with like Pace Center for Girls, LLS, Champions for Children, Make a Wish and others. I focus on transactional and strategic business law and estate planning/asset protection. I love puzzles and strategy. We have several areas of law in our firm including probate, family and guardianship as well. What we really pride ourselves on is innovation, communication and a concierge approach to our clients. We are family friendly and you will often find our kids in the office. You will definitely find our kids involved with Hope for More Foundation – one of the driving forces behind its creation was to have an avenue to have our children involved from a very young age.
Champion Title and Closing and our next title venture were both strategically designed to take the very best of attorney driven real estate transaction management and blend it with the full experience that the end user (buyers and sellers) wants from the transaction. We offer training and education for realtors and brokerages and develop relationships with key vendors and service providers to create a seamless full-service experience for all.
What were you like growing up?
I fully subscribe to the notion that we are shaped by the world around us. I am solidly and proudly a Gen-Xer and have had a front row seat to changes in our way of life that are absolutely mind-blowing. I had an Apple IIe computer, a corded phone and an Atari. I knew a world with no internet, no call-waiting and no reality TV. I also remember the Berlin wall, the Challenger and Adam Walsh. I remember where I was when I heard my first rap song and when MTV played music videos. All of this shaped me but didn’t jade me. My generation has adapted and embraced changes and technology – but is comfortable without it as well. I think this dichotomy is what allows me to relate to my clients and their stage of life no matter what that may be.
I love to be outdoors from my own backyard, the beach, the park – anywhere in fresh air is where I want to be! My son is the world to me and every minute I spend with him is my favorite. My husband is an avid soccer player, coach and fan and I love to watch or play pick-up games in our yard. If I have to be indoors, I will likely be cooking or escaping into a book. My mom will tell you that I have never changed. I have the same wants, likes and inherent bossy directness I’ve always had – I just have grown into myself more!
The goal of the Inspiring Stories series is to celebrate those hidden local gems and encourage our readers and the community at large to spend more of their money with local businesses, local artists, creatives and professionals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://championclosing.com/, https://www.parktitlecompany.com/ https://hopeformorefoundation.org/, https://www.kendricklawgroup.com/
