Meet Sara Defibaugh | Marketing & Organizational Communication Consultant

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

Hi Sara, is there something you believe many others might not?
I vehemently do not believe you have to be on one set path to succeed. I’ve never known exactly what I want to do with my career. Instead, I take opportunities as they come and learn more about myself throughout the process. From there, I evolve and feel empowered to take on more work that I simply enjoy versus work that serves as a building block. I let my goals and desires change with time and pivot accordingly. I don’t know where my career will be in five years, and I’m okay with that. It’s all a part of the process!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Like many marketing professionals in this day and age, I was unfortunately laid off in December 2023. As I looked, applied, and interviewed for my next role, I began to take on freelance work to pay the bills, as unemployment alone did not cover my living expenses.

Over time, my freelance work began to take on a life of its own, and eventually, I found myself with a full workload as a consultant. I couldn’t wait for my next experience, so I built it.

This process did not come without its challenges, though. My partner and I had many conversations about what this would mean financially as I got back on my feet and built my portfolio versus waiting for a full-time opportunity. Additionally, it takes a certain level of organization and determination to juggle many clients and varying demands while also forecasting my financial future.

I’ve learned that to succeed as your own employer and be financially stable, you must be very open to new opportunities while staying firm in your decisions. There is no room for allowing others to walk over you when your work is viewed not within the scope of an organization but on an individual level.

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.
I am relatively new to Denver, but my partner and I have been regularly visiting for the past few years—I actually planned a Bachelorette trip for a friend in Denver in February! Here are a few of my favorite spots:

Brunch: Cozy Cottage, EAT! Food & Drink, Snooze, & The Walnut Cafe in Boulder
Dinner: Fire on the Mountain Wings, The Kitchen, Linger, Swing Thai, & Vatos Tacos & Tequila
Drink: Tennyson Street, Downtown Louisville, & Jungle in Boulder
Dessert: Gelato Boy, Golden Sweets
Additional Shoutouts: Spend a day in Estes or Golden and check out NCA’s Gluten-Free Farmer’s Market and Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox. Also, everyone MUST visit RMNP at least once in their lives!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this to the many mentors and friends who have supported me along this journey, but most importantly, my partner for his enthusiastic support and love.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradefibaugh/

Other: People are welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn.