"I now think about my plans with a gentle belief in my own abilities. It feels like a warm, reassuring hug."
Sara Ricci: From Finance to Design
Case Study
The Challenge
I had spent almost 15 years in corporate finance, building what looked like success from the outside. I had become obsessed with work, working all the time, but then I’d witness talent in a play, in a speaker on TV, in a piece at a museum and would cry because I felt that all of them had figured out what they were good at and put it out into the world while she was pretending to do the same, hiding a dirty secret. I felt like a failure thinking I was too old, didn’t have the right skills, and believing that "at my age I should have my s*** together."
I was also navigating being a stay-at-home mom in a new city while my husband’s job required him to spend more time away from home. I was struggling to find my rhythm, community, and set the boundaries I needed to find balance between motherhood and my other priorities.
The Goals
CAREER: Clarity on the direction I’m taking my career that aligns with passions and strengths
NETWORK: Build a professional network in LA and feel more comfortable reaching out to others
HOW SHE THINKS & FEELS: Feel energized, optimistic, competent on a daily basis
PERSONAL LIFE: Find balance between motherhood, career, and creating a social life that fuels me
The Journey
This process helped me reconnect with my authentic self. We did a deep exploration of my passions, which led me to identify five career paths that both excited and genuinely suited me.
Anne completely transformed my view on networking. Before the idea was daunting, but she helped me approach networking in a more thoughtful and enjoyable way and this ultimately became the key to confidently choosing my new career path.
The work went deeper than career strategy. I finally understood the profound impact my childhood experiences and unresolved traumas had on my present life. I realized I was afraid of being perceived as frivolous or shallow if I pursued something aesthetically-oriented. The program helped me heal this disconnect and free my inner critic to unapologetically pursue what truly excites me - design.
I also recognized how my previous job had been creating a growing disconnection from my social circle and I’m now actively building a new, creative community to achieve a sense of fulfillment and belonging.
Six months ago I set a goal, and I am blown away by what I am able to accomplish now. I now experience something I can only describe as "a delicious, indulgent, and comforting softness." Not the kind of softness that implies weakness, but rather the feeling of being well cared for. It's the grace I now give myself and the calm that allows me to face new paths with confidence. It's the indulgence of thinking about my plans with a sense of gentle belief in my own abilities.
The Results
MY CAREER: Made the decision to pursue Surface Pattern Design and Graphic Design, will start Graphic Design at UCLA Extension in September
MY NETWORK: Completely transformed my relationship with networking what was once daunting is now thoughtful and enjoyable
HOW I THINK & FEEL: Completely transformed my relationship with networking what was once daunting is now thoughtful and enjoyable
MY PERSONAL LIFE: I’m building a new, creative community in LA. At the start of every week I set my goals and block out my calendar to accomplish them. I give myself permission to be flexible and switch up my routine if I need to get a fresh perspective.
The Summary
Working with Anne was transformative. After 15 years in finance and a break to focus on raising my kids, I felt completely stuck and unsure of my career direction. Anne provided the strategic framework and tools necessary to shift my mindset, helping me find the clarity I needed to move forward and follow my passions. The work I did with Anne was life-changing. She helped me heal the deep disconnection I felt from myself, freeing my inner critic to unapologetically pursue what truly excites me.
Want this for yourself?
Your Character is your compass to your best career and life.
