#157: From Coordinator to Firm Owner with AEC Marketing Maverick, Sarah Gonnella
Have you ever wondered what it takes to go from being a marketing coordinator to owning a piece of the company? Well, get ready, because in the latest episode of Marketers Take Flight, I’m chatting with someone who’s done exactly that!
Sarah Gonnella is the VP of Sales and Marketing—and one of the four owners—at Full Sail Partners. Yep, she went from starting out in marketing to becoming a firm owner, and she’s sharing all the juicy details of how she made that leap.
Let me tell you, Sarah’s story is packed with lessons, a few curveballs, and so much inspiration. Here’s a little sneak peek to get you excited:
How It All Started (Hint: It Involves a Printer)
Sarah’s first mentor wasn’t your typical marketing pro—it was a printer. Yep, you read that right! Early on in her career, she learned the ropes of design and marketing from someone unexpected, and that’s what set her up for everything that came next. But what I love most is how she didn’t wait for opportunities to land in her lap—she went out and created them.
Bold Moves, Big Results
One of my favorite parts of Sarah’s journey? When she found herself in a role that wasn’t quite the right fit, instead of sticking it out, she made the bold move to start her own marketing consulting business. And let me tell you, that decision opened up doors she never expected!
But that’s just the beginning. Sarah also faced some pretty big challenges, like rebranding a firm in 30 days (can you imagine?!). She handled it with resilience, grit, and a whole lot of strategic thinking—and came out stronger on the other side.
Leading with Authenticity
Sarah’s leadership style is all about authenticity. She’s learned how to bring her whole self to work—personal and professional—and encourages her team to do the same. That vulnerability and realness? It’s helped her create a culture of trust and growth at Full Sail Partners. So, if you’re looking to grow as a leader, you’re going to want to soak up every bit of Sarah’s wisdom.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How to create opportunities for yourself (even when they seem out of reach)
Why thinking like an owner can set you apart—even if you’re not in a leadership role yet
How bringing your authentic self to work can transform your leadership style
How to tackle challenges head-on, like rebranding or starting your own business
So, if you’re ready to hear all the behind-the-scenes stories and get some seriously actionable advice on how to take your career to the next level, you’re going to love this episode!
I Want to Hear From You!
After you tune in, I’d love to know—what’s the boldest move you’ve ever made in your career? Drop a comment below or come find me on social and let’s chat!
Sarah Gonnella, VP Sales & Marketing, Owner, Full Sail Partners
Sarah Gonnella has been providing CRM consulting and marketing direction for the firm for 10 years. As the VP of Marketing and Sales for Full Sail Partners, Sarah oversees the internal marketing and business development efforts for the firm. She also provides consulting services to clients that use Deltek Vision’s CRM, Custom Proposal and Government modules. She is a graduate of Truman State University in Missouri.
A results-driven marketing professional with more than 20 years of marketing experience, she has provided guidance to A/E/C, environmental and energy, management consulting, and government contracting firms. She is an award-winning marketing professional with a demonstrated ability to streamline operations and increase productivity. She earned recognition (Quality Control/Quality Assurance and Employee of the Year awards) at an Atlanta-based A/E firm that recruited her to rebrand the company and streamline its proposal process.
She previously served as President of the SMPS Atlanta Chapter and for her contributions to the Chapter, she received the Pacesetter Award.
Links mentioned in this episode:
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