Podcaster just Made it Happen
Sarah Haefling lets entrepreneurs tell their stories
Terrific ideas can pop up anywhere, anytime. One tapped Sarah Haefling on the head in 2019, when she was working at an event that hosted a panel of local entrepreneurs talking about starting their own businesses.
“One woman was very honest,” she says. “That was my first look behind the scenes and it left me wanting to know more. With social media, you see the glamorous side of starting your own business.”
Haefling was impressed by the female entrepreneur's admissions of self-doubt and fear of failure on her journey to success.
More women need to hear this lady's story, Haefling thought. And so the seed took hold for her Made it Happen Podcast.
Living in Kingsville, working in marketing and doing social media for the Canadian Marketing Association, the Owen Sound native began drawing on her skills to create the podcast.
“Although I listened to podcasts and loved them, I had no idea what went into podcasting,” she says.
Through a lot of research, Haefling learned to put the online show together. The first episode on madeithappenpod.com launched in May of 2020.
“It was right after the pandemic hit. I thought the podcast would be a great way to amplify what goes into starting a business. Podcasting is a terrific tool to dig deeper into topics and for people to spread messages and be accessible. People can listen from anywhere,” says Haefling.
Made it Happen spotlights Canadian and American female entrepreneurs, sharing their stories of starting up, overcoming challenges and accomplishing milestones.
Within the weekly Made it Happen podcast, Haefling hosts a special WE RISE segment. “When I first launched, RISE Windsor Essex was very supportive of my podcast,” Haefling says.
The organization supports women in entrepreneurship and STEM, providing them access to local resources. Last June, it struck up a partnership with the podcaster to share motivating tales of Windsor-essex women who are blazing their own trails.
“It's been amazing, with lots of really great guests on.”
Among the WE RISE guests are: Paglione Estate Winery owner Sandra Paglione, Synergy Wellness owner and founder Stephanie Santos, Timber + Plumb founder and designer Markie Tuckett, and Urban Artistry founder Linsey Pecile.
Downloads number in the thousands, positioning Made it Happen at #36 on the Top Entrepreneurship Podcast Charts in Canada and earning it a five-star rating on Apple Podcast.
Guests range from teenagers to seniors, equally eager to talk about their experiences gained while making their mark in technology, fitness, fashion, beauty, design, real estate, coaching, marketing and other industries. “These are women of all ages and stages. Some have been in entrepreneurship their whole lives; others are just taking on this new venture. It's wonderful to hear all different aspects of entrepreneurship,” Haefling says.
Her big takeaways from online conversations with entrepreneurs
These are women of all ages and stages. Some have been in entrepreneurship their whole lives.
offering advice to other would-be businesswomen include: find something your passionate about, join a community of likeminded people, start before you are ready, celebrate the wins on the good days, remember why you started on the tough days, don't reinvent the wheel, place collaboration over competition, don't let negativity get to you, own your worth, and just go for it.
“There is a lot to learn when you own your own business,” says Haefling. “Then there is the loneliness aspect of entrepreneurship because it is just you doing everything.”
“The imposter syndrome is one that women entrepreneurs can relate to as they face the fear of owning their own businesses,” Haefling says. With the pandemic exacerbating the struggle of balancing work with kids learning at home and taking care of senior family members, “there has definitely been a learning curve for women.”
Her hope is that with the podcast, “we can celebrate female founders and inspire others to take the leap into entrepreneurship,” Haefling says.
“I've learned there is a very supportive community for female entrepreneurs here. RISE Windsor Essex is a good part of that. Women and men cheer each other on any way they can, which I think is incredible. Their passion for their businesses and community really comes out.”
“My podcast is my own passion project,” Haefling says.
Unintentionally, it has led to her also becoming an entrepreneur. “I've launched Elevate Podcast Co. to help others who are interested in starting their own podcasts. It all happened naturally after businesspeople came to me for advice and information. I started a business without me noticing it!”