Seizing Opportunities in the Face of Challenges: Sarah’s Journey in Entrepreneurship

In a candid conversation with Startups Magazine’s Sheryl Miles, Sarah shares her inspiring journey through the world of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities amidst challenges, the role of failure as a stepping stone to success, and the transformative power of asking for help.

The Unconventional Path to Entrepreneurship

Sarah’s journey into the tech world is anything but typical. Growing up in a household where both parents were computer programmers, she was immersed in technology from an early age. “My parents were old school mainframe programmers. We grew up around computers and technology,” she recalls. This unique upbringing shaped her perspective and fueled her curiosity.

Her educational path was equally eclectic, encompassing genetics, astrophysics, psychology, and even musical theatre. This diverse background laid the groundwork for her multifaceted career. After pursuing a master’s degree in musical theatre in the UK, Sarah found herself drawn to corporate training and neurolinguistic programming, where she honed her skills in empowering others.

Her career took a pivotal turn when she was invited to help build a company in the R&D space. Although she played a significant role in its development, her entrepreneurial spirit soon identified a technology gap that could revolutionize their offerings. When her innovative solution was overlooked, Sarah took the reins and launched Kapitalise in 2014, followed by Kapitalise Technology (Kap Tech) in 2017, the tech development arm of her original venture.

Creative Fintech: Empowering Innovation with R&D Tax Credits

Kapitalise serves as an advisory service that assists companies in successfully filing R&D tax credit applications with HMRC. By unlocking these credits, Kapitalise plays a crucial role in recognizing and rewarding companies for their innovative efforts and risk-taking.

As the demand for their services grew, accountants and R&D tax credit providers began to see the value in Kapitalise’s offerings. “We pivoted slightly to create a platform for accountants and R&D tax credit providers to help them and their clients,” Sarah explains. This evolution transformed Kapitalise Technology from an in-house SaaS product into a comprehensive platform that simplifies the R&D tax credit process, fundamentally changing how companies approach their research and development initiatives.

Podcasting and Creative Adversity

With her extensive background in training and a passion for podcasts, Sarah identified a unique opportunity to contribute to the medium. This led to the creation of Creative Adversity, a podcast that highlights the inspiring journeys of female leaders. The show not only showcases their successes but also delves into the valuable lessons learned from their failures.

“I thought it would be great to capture some of these stories because these women are running everyday companies, and they have fantastic journeys that wouldn’t necessarily be heard,” she shares. For Sarah, adversity is a key ingredient in successful leadership, and through her podcast, she reframes challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.

Fail Forward by Embracing Adversity

Through her conversations with successful women, Sarah discovered a common theme: failure is often a stepping stone to success. She emphasizes the importance of reframing adversity as an opportunity for growth. “For men, the idea of failure is different; they’ll say, ‘I’ve failed. I’ve gotten up. I’m going to do it again,’ but women feel like they can’t fail,” she notes. This perception, she believes, contributes to the disparity in entrepreneurial success between genders.

Sarah advocates for a shift in mindset, encouraging women to embrace failure as a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey. “If we change that, you’ll see a lot more women in positions of leadership,” she asserts.

Challenging Gender Bias in Entrepreneurship

As a woman in the tech industry, Sarah has encountered numerous challenges, particularly in securing funding. Despite evidence showing that women are just as capable as men in business, gender bias persists. Studies indicate that while men often focus on immediate concerns, women tend to consider long-term benefits, a perspective that can be undervalued in entrepreneurial settings.

Sarah also highlights the additional hurdles female entrepreneurs face, especially during pregnancy or while raising young children. She recalls her own experiences during fundraising periods, where questions about family plans often overshadowed business discussions. “If I was a man, would I have been asked the same questions?” she wonders, pointing out the biases that still exist.

Building a Support Network

Drawing from her experiences, Sarah encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to tap into their personal networks for support. She believes that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. “I’ve learned that everything is temporary. It might feel like the sky is falling in, but it’s just a phase, and you will get through it,” she advises. Her journey has taught her that setbacks can lead to breakthrough moments, emphasizing the importance of resilience.

Embrace Adversity and Unleash Your Potential

Sarah’s story exemplifies the power of embracing adversity and using it as a catalyst for success. From her diverse educational background to her innovative ventures in fintech and podcasting, she demonstrates the importance of resilience and learning from failure. As more women break down traditional barriers to create their own paths, Sarah’s journey serves as a reminder that anyone can pursue their dreams and achieve success.

So, the next time life throws you a curveball, remember: FAIL is just the First Attempt In Learning.