Sometimes the best things can come from challenging times. Sarah Findlay has bounced back after falling seriously ill, and is now launching her own business centered around her passion for helping others.
In 2012, Sarah completed her degree in early childhood education at EIT and for many years she worked as a kindergarten teacher. Then, at 26, she started to consider an entire lifestyle and career change. She took a year off, worked in a composite fibreglass company and figured out that she wanted to become her own boss. To learn the skills needed for her start-up, she enrolled in a graduate diploma in business at EIT.
"Doing two papers per term gave me a deep and comprehensive understanding of all things business but the flipside was that I felt pressure of having to juggle work and study. I had to focus and knuckle down for a year."
Then there was also something that put a heavy weight on her shoulders. For many years, Sarah had been unknowingly battling multiple illnesses, including an ovarian tumour and endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common condition that, according to the Ministry of Health, affects up to one in 10 women and girls in New Zealand. The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, which can make periods extremely painful and can make carrying out day-to-day activities very difficult. Although common, it took years before Sarah finally got diagnosed. Sarah says that the diagnosis was an "aha" moment and sparked her calling in holistic health.
While studying her diploma, Sarah also completed a nutrition qualification and gained a mindfulness practitioner and a life coach certification.
