Meet Sarah Shipp | Digital Marketing Expert

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

Hi Sarah, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance for me has definitely evolved, but in a really beautiful and stretching kind of way.

ShippShape was born around the exact same time as my first son, Archer, which still makes me laugh because apparently I love a challenge. It felt like overnight I had to learn how to be an entrepreneur, become the lead technician on my clients’ accounts, and step into motherhood all at the same time. There wasn’t really an option to ease into it. It was more like, “Alright… we’re doing this.”

I’ve always been a multitasker, and I’ve always had that “I’ll just do it” mindset. One thing I’m grateful for is that I have a calm way of getting things done without carrying a ton of stress. It’s kind of my superpower. I can be juggling a lot and still feel steady.

Before kids and before the business, balance looked totally different. My weeks were filled with working at an agency during the day, teaching cycling classes twice a week in the evenings, and spending time with my now-husband Andrew. We were always doing things we loved, like going to concerts, hanging out with friends, or trying a new Denver restaurant.

Now balance feels more like integration than separation. It isn’t always perfectly even, but it’s intentional. I’m also really privileged to say I have a strong support system around me that hasn’t changed. Family, friends, and people who truly show up. That support has made all the difference.

And honestly, one of the biggest gifts of being an entrepreneur is the flexibility. I can create my own schedule, which means balance can include things like snowboarding during the week or making time for the passions that keep me energized.

But balance also looks like something much simpler. It looks like wanting to be close to my little boy, going on walks, playing, and watching him experience the world like everything is brand new.

So the way I think about balance now is that it’s not about everything being perfectly split. It’s about making sure the things that matter most are always part of the life I’m building, and that it resonates to my clients as well.

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?
ShippShape Digital is really built to serve small businesses in Colorado who want a stronger online presence and real growth they can actually track. I focus on SEO, paid search, and social media, and when you pair that with my photography side hustle, it creates a well-rounded approach that helps businesses show up professionally, attract the right audience, and turn attention into leads and sales.

What sets me apart is my obsession with tracking and attribution. I’m not interested in “vanity metrics” or marketing that just looks pretty on paper. I want my clients to know exactly what’s working, where their leads are coming from, and how their marketing is impacting revenue. Along with that, coaching is a huge part of what I do. I’m privileged to have a very small ego, and I truly believe the best client relationships come from education and transparency. I let my clients in on what I’m doing every day, why I’m doing it, and what we’re learning as we go. That builds trust, long-term retention, and real partnership.

The truth is, I didn’t exactly choose this path. I genuinely believe God placed me here. I was laid off just 10 weeks before delivering my son Archer, and I remember feeling completely numb. All I could think was, “What am I going to do without a salary?” and “Who would hire me when I’m about to go on maternity leave in 10 weeks?” At the time, I was running a full-fledged marketing strategy for USA Weightlifting, the Olympic team, and after my agency laid me off, that was the only account I had bringing in revenue – of course, heavily supported by my husband’s full time job as a residential construction standards consultant.

I had a solid 60-minute cry fest after my computer abruptly shut off post-layoff meeting, and then my husband Andrew stepped in and completely shifted my perspective. He looked at me and said, “Take your butt to Best Buy and get a laptop. Your agency starts now.” And he was right. That was the moment ShippShape became real.

I registered the LLC, and USA Weightlifting became my official first client, even though I had already been working behind the scenes as their contractor for months. From there, growth came from showing up wherever I could. I joined local Facebook groups, answered questions like “How do I run Google Ads?” and started connecting with other incredible entrepreneurs. People like Joe Rohde from Lamplighter Web Design, and Matt McKenna, a pioneer from AutoTrader turned boutique agency owner and consultant for care dealerships. Those relationships and that community helped shape the foundation of my business.

What I’m most proud of is that ShippShape surpassed $150K in its first year, simply by showing up as a coach and a trustworthy partner. And now we’re on track to double that revenue in year two, which still feels surreal.

I don’t want to say I struggled through this because I was able to simply lean in to my digital marketing skills that had been crafted over 10 years, but it also took a lot of faith, signing on 2 weeks postpartum (which I’d never like to do again), and learning that filing taxes as a business might be a bit of a biotch. But the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that success comes from consistency and trust. If you show up, do what you say you’re going to do, care deeply about results, and treat people well, the growth follows.

What I want the world to know about ShippShape is that we’re not just here to “run ads” or “do marketing.” We’re here to help businesses grow in a way that’s honest, trackable, and sustainable. My goal is always to build something long-lasting, rooted in relationships, integrity, and the belief that small businesses deserve marketing that actually works.

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.
Oh this one makes me smile because it’s such a snapshot of life changing in the best way.

If my best friend Krista flew in, I’d absolutely be the full concierge service and pick her up at the airport myself. That’s non-negotiable. Then we’d head back toward Castle Rock, but I have to say… pre-marriage and pre-baby, the vibe was a little different…

Back then, we’d probably hit Happy Camper first, grab a pizza and split a margarita with one of those curly straws. Then we’d go crash at Andrew and I’s industrial condo behind Coors Field, which Archer will definitely hear about one day because wow… we thought we were cool as hell living there. After that, there’s a strong chance we’d end up at Red Rocks for a concert, living our best lives and soaking in that Denver energy.

Now though, it’s honestly even better, just in a different way.

These days, since we’re both moms, I’m proud to head south to Castle Rock with Krista in the front seat and our boys in the back. It feels like such a full-circle moment. Owning a home here feels like a huge privilege, and it’s made even better by being surrounded by such value-rich people and families.

So now, we’d pull into Founders Village, yap nonstop, drink wine, and throw together a charcuterie board to enjoy on our quaint little back patio. I’d definitely take her to Wild Blue Yonder for those amazing Polish nachos, and then we’d “accidentally” stumble into The Emporium and The Barn where our monthly fun-money budget would absolutely be destroyed.

We’d stroll downtown, grab coffee at COFF33, and then of course do the classic mom thing of walking around with our boys in strollers feeling extremely cool in our own minds. And I know for a fact we’d be secretly hoping “Bad Girls” by M.I.A. would suddenly start blasting from the downtown speakers and engage in slo-mo walking.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This one is easy, because I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who steady me and believe in me.

First and foremost, my husband Andrew deserves a huge shoutout. He has always encouraged me with an optimistic mindset and a calm, caring presence. He’s grounded and realistic in the best way, while still fully making space for my whimsy, big ideas, and vision. He’s the person who reminds me to breathe, keeps me rooted when things feel big, and cheers me on without ever trying to shrink what we’re building.

My family who truly shows up. My parents Ken and Denise who have endlessly supported my twists and turns and interests in life. My in-laws, Ann and Gordon, have been endlessly supportive and flexible watching our son Archer, especially when our schedule is less than structured, so I can continue growing this business. That kind of understanding and willingness to adapt is something I don’t take for granted.

My siblings, Mitchell and Caroline are other constants. Caroline checks in with me daily, always ready to listen, always thoughtful, and always there. Mitchell, being black and white, travels with me on this brainstorms, ever creating ideas and engaging in them with me.

None of this happens alone. Every step forward has been shaped by love, patience, belief, and people who are willing to stand beside me. This journey is just as much theirs as it is mine.

Website: https://www.shippshapedigital.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-k-shipp-17aa957b/

Image Credits
Photographer is KaSandra Mitchell with The Humble Lion