Mental Wealth Podcast: Season 1 Episode 3

Foreign hi, my name is Luke Wetlandt. This is season one, episode three of the Mental wealth podcast. I'm here with the amazing Sarah Edwards and I'm going to read something. Everything you want is on the other side of fear. After an incredible journey, I'm stepping away from the House of Sonder and Fashion Week Minnesota. Two companies that began as ideas and grew into thriving organizations with strong foundations and trusted partners who will carry them forward into their next chapter. Building these companies wasn't just about creativity.

It was about leadership, vision, and the courage to execute bold ideas. Along the way, I've learned valuable lessons. Navigating challenges, building community, and bringing ambitious visions to life. But today, I feel a growing urgency, one I can no longer ignore. We're in the midst of a mental health crisis. In a world that is hyper connected yet deeply isolated. I see an opportunity to address this challenge in a way that's creative, innovative and human. This calling isn't just professional, it's deeply personal.

I feel in every conversation with someone trying to navigate a world driven by the attention economy, I see it myself and the people I've loved. I've realized I'm not meant to work within agencies or traditional structures. My vision has always lived outside the lines in spaces where bold in spaces were bold, where bold, unconventional ideas take root and thrive. It's where I've done my best work and it's where I feel free and called to build something new. This next chapter is about blending creativity, innovation and connection to tackle mental health challenges head on.

And it goes a little bit more into your 40th birthday, etc. But I wanted to read that. I was one of those individuals, Sarah, that read it with thousands of other people and were taken aback and had to reach out. And when I read that back to you now, some four months later, how does that make you feel? And where does that bring you right now? Wow. Yeah, I haven't read that in a while, so thanks for sharing that again. I think that I've always kind of had this friction between where I think my calling and my purpose lies, and then figuring out how to make it something that the world maybe is ready for, if that makes sense.

And I've always loved the quote, everything you want is on the other side of fear. Because when I look back and reflect on any time I've been really uncomfortable or really scared, that's when the major growth happens. Stepping into the unknown, not having a plan. And if you think about it as humans, it's natural to want to be comfortable. If we're cold, we seek warmth. You know, if we're hungry, we seek food. So we. We're craving that comfort. Even though I think we all know that the real growth comes from being really uncomfortable.

So I've been thinking a lot about that. Well, and then in regards to the introduction itself, you know, you cover kind of this transition of leaving something old and going into something new. Yeah. And the new back to your unknown and finding the way through fear and all of it. Tell us a little bit about what you're building and what you have going on right now and how also it connects to mental health. Absolutely. So one thing that was really hard for me, leaving behind, you know, organizations that I built that I didn't realize was identity.

So much of my identity and how I thought of my self worth and everything was related to what can I produce, what can I do? It was never good enough to just be like, I always had to have a gold star validation. And so I. Where do you think that came from? Oh, how far back do you want to go? I think it definitely comes from, like, young childhood. Like, I grew up. I'm very much a people pleaser. Are as a lot of, I'd say, women specifically, not to stereotype, but I grew up in a situation where like, I had an amazing mom.

Dad was not really in the picture. There was a lot of emotional trauma growing up. And I think that because of that, I was like the peacekeeper. Like, I was like, I just want everyone to be good. Is everyone good, happy and at the risk, at the sacrifice of my own almost honesty. Like, I'm not good. How about that? You know what I mean? Because I was like, so concerned. And I think too that that that came into everything in school. Like, I. I really got along with everyone genuinely. You know, there's always like the different subgroups.

And I think it was so funny. I was texting with my family last night and they sent me this little photo of when I was like three. And my face had this expression of just deep worry and concern. Like, I've always just had this deep. Like I feel everything and it's exhausting. You're a total empath. I can't go to Target without having like a break. Like, the irony of me doing community events and bringing people together from all walks of life is. It's the most exhausting thing I can do. But I feel like in a world where we're so polarized, we have to figure out how to bring people together.

Yes. So, like, I'll walk into Target and my sister and I are so different. Like, I'll walk in and I'll see, like, a mom struggling with her two kids, and they're crying and she looks stressed. I'm like, I wonder if anyone's told her she's doing a good job today. Then there's, like, an older man, like, walking by himself, and someone bumps into him and he drops his stuff, and I'm like, I hope he doesn't feel like he's unseen. And then I, like, leave Target and. And I'm, like, in my car and, like, nothing happened.

I just, like, observed all of this where my sister's type of person. She'll, like, walk in. Got myself out, like. And so I've always. I've always been a little envious of people that can just not feel everything because it just seems a lot more relaxing. But I also think it's my gift to feel people and see people. So. So it's. Yeah. Interesting. Yeah. So when you get to the point of this transition in your life, you've moved on from the old with your identity, and you're moving into the new with little big.

Yeah. Can you explain a little bit about what are you developing and what are you building and what this means to you in this transition? Sure. I mean, I'll give the folks listening a little background, too, because my entire life for the past 10 years has been online on social media. I used social media as a tool to build community through events, and I got lost in it. And I couldn't separate who was Sarah the human being and who is Sarah the social avatar. And you have done all of your own social, is that correct?

Yes. So you've never farmed it out, ate it out? I tried, yes. And it was interesting because it just felt not authentic. Yeah. And I was like, gosh, how do people do this? Because, yeah, I could just have someone go make curated photos and whatever, but that's just genuinely not me. So I did attempt that just for my own mental health, but it just didn't work. And I think for me, like, I've posted vulnerably about terrible things that have happened or that I've went through, and it's in order for someone to feel less alone.

If someone has went through a divorce and felt like a loser, like, I'm like, you're not a loser. So I feel, you know, connected to helping people through the times when they feel ashamed or feel lonely. But again, it comes at a cost of my own mental health. And so when I got to a really dark spot. Not that long ago, it came from. I started having panic attacks, and I'd never really had them before. I didn't even really know what they were. And my home life was good. Family is good. I'm, like, healthy.

Nothing, no crisis, really, except for I couldn't. So I couldn't figure it out. And I went to my doctor, and I was like, what's happening? What's going on? You know, I have normal work stress. You know, normal stress. And then I had kind of this profound realization that I was yearning to quit social media so badly, and I couldn't because of work and money and, like, my. My entire. Everything was so intertwined with it that I was fantasizing. I'm like, what. What could I do to make a living? Because I also.

Even if I were to get a marketing job, marketing still social. Like, it's everywhere. Especially now. Especially now. And, like, the increase in people becoming content creators and. And I just have so many conversations with my friends that have kids that are struggling figuring out boundaries with it because you can't totally take the phone away because then they're only kid without phone. But then how do you balance it? And so I was just spinning. I'm like, God, we're living in this time where we need help.

Like, we need solutions. I don't have them, but I'm a perfect use case of. Of the problem because it's so intertwined. And then I started just doing some reflecting. This is how I got to Little Big. I was like, okay, Social media's original intention was to connect us. I think there is a lot of good intention there. I also think I was thinking about when I felt most joyful in my life outside of, you know, being outside and connecting with family and friends. I also feel really joyful when I'm creating, when I'm making, when I'm working on an art project or trying something or creating something, a lot more joy creating than consuming.

And I think that's true for a lot of people. You have people that. Whether they're learning guitar or musical instrument or they're making a podcast, they're excited. Like, I'm gonna work on my project and figure it out. Yeah. And it feels good to make things. So I was like, I was putting down all these common threads. I'm like, people feel good when they're creating and when they're making. And then I'm like, people feel good when they can have good connections or they find someone that can help bring their idea to life or their business idea or their creative project to life.

It's fun when you meet that person. Like, you're like that for me. Like, you make me feel, like, empowered. And it's a connection. Yeah, we met on social media, but you're genuine in how you make me feel confident. And so I'm like, how do we, how do we recreate those feelings? Creating, making, connecting feeling. Like you're not alone in building your creative project or your business. And because I'd spent so much of my life in with creatives and entrepreneurs and small businesses, I felt like there's this big gap.

And as you know, technology's not going anywhere. So I'm like, how do we embrace it? Is there a better way? And so I came up with this idea for Little Big. And when I think of Little Big, it's a lot. It means a lot of different things. And I was so happy the name was available. I love the name, by the way. Thank you. Love it. Because you know how sometimes you have an amazing name for something and then you're like, oh, shoot, it's taken, trademarked, or it's domains taken or on Instagram. And I had a couple other ones and I can't remember what they are off the top of my head.

But, like, naming is fun for me. And the idea behind Little Big was there's a few things. Little connections, big impact. I truly believe one little connection can change someone's entire life. And you never know where it's going to come from. I also think that I'm not going to get into politics or anything, but I just feel I'm so tired of us being so polarized. Like, I have friends that are rightist or right, leftist, left, up, down, in between. And I can see the good in a lot of people. And I don't think we're gonna get anywhere as a society if we keep just going after each other.

And social media does that too. And there's no room on social media for context or nuance or layers. And that's all we are as humans are complex and nuanced and layered. Depth, depth. And so to try to put people in these little things, these little boxes, like, oh, you're bad because X and you don't know the entire story. Talking about right, left, up, down, anything. Like, we're complex human beings. So I'm so exhausted of how we tear each other apart based on our differences. One of my personal missions is to inspire the world to be more curious and less judgmental.

Not saying we're all going to Agree and get along. You're doing a good job of it. But if we can just be like, I've never thought of it that way or I don't really understand that. And usually our, our. We go to fear. I don't understand that. That's scary. Or we get heightened. Yes. How many times you've been to a dinner or coffee where all of a sudden it goes from cool, calm, collected to wow, it's going up a little bit. The notches are going up. Why? Is because I feel away and you feel away. It could be social media.

It could be call anything, Anything, Anything. Well, in a hit breaking points quick. Yeah. And I think we're. When I think of Little Big, I think of us pin pitting each other. We need the little and the big to come together. Like we need the little small businesses and we need the corporations and we need like the little artists and creatives and the big athletes. And I'm like, we need, we all need each other. There's room for us, put them together ecosystem. So I'm like, how can we bring these people together?

And I, you know, sometimes I, I'm a little not cynical, but I'm like, I know we can't just go live in hippie communes out in the country because that's just. I don't want to. I would love to. So I'm like, I wanted to be really practical about how to solve this problem and so I knew that technology had to be a part of it. And so I was like, how can I engineer the connections, the creating, the optimism? And so I think about, you know, like LinkedIn, for example, you find a job opportunity or you hear someone that's inspiring or you find a connection that you're really excited about that's going to help contribute to your project.

But LinkedIn isn't really built for, I'd say the creative community as well as like the small business. Like small business community. So I was like, and those people need a lot of connections. So Little Big is an app. It's in beta mode in the App Store right now. And the idea is it helps people find connections in their community and creatives can join for free, create a profile, you know, talk about who they are, what they do, and then small businesses and brands can go and post opportunities and events.

So it's again, it's very much in beta mode. I'm not going to like apologize that it's not great yet, but I'm also like, it's not great yet because you need a lot of People on it for. For it to really work. But I'm also in the point where I just want to get feedback and get the bugs out. And that's the first phase. It's a beautiful phase. As you know, you're going to learn so much in that first phase. So you're one for us. On the Cadre side was you're the pilot and you're the investment. Yeah. That's time, money, and everything you possibly can to try to get as much information as possible.

That's all you're. That's good. Just information seeking, taking it in. But real quick, we'll get back to a little big, but I want to hop back to social media on a question. So you are one of the rare commodities in our world, human beings that have actually went from pre social influential to in between. Starting with social influencing to where it is now. There has to be a very different journey at each one of those steps for you. So I just want to ask, like, what's that transition been like? Like, bear with me.

You know, Facebook came out when my second year of college. Right. So 44 years old. You just turned. I'm saying your age because I just read it. Right. 40 years. But with that being said, what has that transition looked like? Where everybody else is jumping in here at this moment, where you have seen 10 years, 12 years, 15 years of it. I have a feeling that your mindset has shifted and changed probably many times. And I think it'd be really important for the audience to hear about that journey. Yeah, I mean, I was what you would call, yeah, like an early adapter.

Adopter. Adapter, adapter adopter to social media. And it was really from a place of pure intention of building community through events. So, like, I started my career, my entrepreneurial career, wanting to do events. I'm like. And it started actually in Minneapolis, where I had this idea to do an event called I Am Minneapolis. And it was because I fell in love with our city. And I was like, it's really cool and I want to do an event that celebrates it. And so there was a fashion show and live music, and I used social media as a tool to get the word out because I didn't have any money.

And so I learned how to use it very quickly. And then so I was using it a lot before a lot of other people. And then they would, you know, ask for advice and stuff like that. And then I kind of started getting a name for myself unintentionally. Like, I never. Because it's changed now. A lot. Like, I never was like, I want to be an influencer. I was like, I want to build community. I love connecting people. I love connecting people because of that feeling of, like, when you have that connection, I'm like, if I could contribute to that, that would feel really good.

But then as it would. As the events grew, my name grew with it. So it was like my events were growing, and it was like, oh, a Sarah Edwards event. A Sarah Edwards event. So I became kind of a brand. And it was really cool at first. Like, it was fun. Like, I was getting media attention and getting all of this and naive to the dark side of it, because as soon as you put yourself out there, you're getting yourself out into a position to get judged or scrutinized or. And I'd be like, hey, that person doesn't know me.

You know, thank goodness. I came across this thing from a podcast. Actually, I think it was Dax Shepard's podcast. But someone on this podcast said something like, it only hurts if you believe it to be true. So ever since I've learned that whole saying, it's really changed for me. And so I hope it helps someone else. So if someone was like, oh, Sarah, that's Sarah Edwards. She's so stuck up, or she's so whatever, I'd be like, that's just not true. Like, I don't believe that about myself. If someone say something that I'm sensitive about or insecure about, it really hurts.

So I just went through this a little bit of a situation. I don't really feel like talking about it, but I will, if it's interesting, is I had the Star Tribune article come out recently, and they posted on Instagram and people went to town on the comments, and there were some things that were, like, really hurtful. Really hurtful. And I think the hard part, going back to the nuance of the Internet, is there's things that were true that really hurt. And then there's stuff that was total BS that I was like, you know, I've literally never met you and you know nothing.

But it was a pile on. Is there's. There's a sad term, and people, celebrities, influencers. It's just apparently part of the job now is like, if you put yourself out there and expect it, just expect it. And, like, it's sad, but it's. And there's a lot of people hurting right now, and there's a lot of pain. Pain. And so I understand that. But, yeah, it was. It was hard because I'm like a human Being and it's. I kind of. The way I think of it is like imagine your entrepreneurial journey. Like everything you've done in work or love or relationships, any mistake you've been made, like out on a public forum for people to talk about a microscope.

Yeah, people can. That's just like gross to even think about it to be. Yeah. I mean I had people because they know I'm very sensitive, like really worried about me, like that I would hurt myself or do something. And like I said, I said I'm so happy that I'm at a place where I love myself deeply. And it took me, I'll probably cry, but it took me a long time to get there. So like I worry about people that aren't in a place where they maybe love themselves and they experience that because this could be really dark.

And it was still really hard for me as a Fairly well adjusted 40 year old woman because for me I'm kind of like, yeah, I've made mistakes. I'm not perfect, never claimed to be. I did, I've done a lot. Like, I've created Fashion Week Minnesota with no money. Like, I made a lot of mistakes doing that, but I created it, you know, so it's like all of those things. And so I was kind of. I had so many different emotions when that all happened. But then I also had this thought, I'm like the people that know me, know me and I.

My close friends and family and people that have had really good relationships know my integrity and my values and my morals and you know, and I'm not gonna. If people have made up their mind that they don't like me or there's something about me that bothers them, I'm not gonna waste my energy trying to change it. It's just too exhausting. So it's weird because would I wanted that to happen? No. But now looking back, I'm weirdly grateful I went through it because I learned a lot about myself. And also if I'm gonna choose to be out there doing things, messing up and trying again, it's going to be part of the job.

It is. It's part of the process. Thank you for sharing all that as well. What's, what's your relationship right now? I mean, I understand, you know, little big. Yeah. Is coming. But what's your relationship with social right now? Like what, what would you, if somebody would say, sarah, what's your relationship with social media today? How would you describe that to somebody that doesn't understand this is my job? Yeah. This is part of my livelihood. Meanwhile, I'm building and I feel something deeply about this.

I'm making a documentary. I'm doing this. I have another product that's coming. Little big. Yep. Like, share kind of how that feels. I'll be. Big question. I'll be so real with you. Like, if someone wrote me out a check for a million dollars right now and said I could quit social media, I would do it in a heartbeat. Pretty big. Pretty big comment. It's true. I really would. I would. I would. I would take some time to think about what I would do with the money to figure it out and. And figure out a plan and have some space, because I'm not gonna.

You know, I don't think we talk about money as a society either. Money is freedom of choice and social. A lot of people need side hustles right now, and a lot of people's side hustles are on social media. So, like, I share that because I don't think people talk about the freedom. Like, I said something in this, in the Star Tribune article that was something about, like, offline is the new luxury, and I really believe that. So I think my relationship with social media is so complex because I. I understand I can do a lot of good with it, but I understand it's gonna be at a certain expense of my own wellbeing.

And I'm trying to figure out what those boundaries can be so I can take better care of myself. Can you really ever detach, like, right now? Like, for example, you know, thank heavens that my wife and I are able to go with a family trip and gone for a week. But I shut it down. Yeah, Like, I truly shut it all down. When's the last time that you've done that? Well, funny you should ask, because I've been on a journey this year of, you know, identity and trying to. I just want to really try to figure out how to be the best version of myself.

And a lot of it has to do with, I need to take breaks from social. I need to unplug. So in February, I did this thing, thing in the UK called the Hoffman process, which was life changing. A dear friend encouraged me to go, and I got kind of defensive. I was like, I don't have the time to go. I don't have the money to go. I got all this work to do. And you were expecting me to be offline for a week? Are you insane? But I did it and I was like, oh, my nervous system. Like, day six. I was not. My phone was so Far from me.

And, and it was very. And there was privilege in being able to go to this experience. Absolutely. You know, in the uk. But when it was when we were wrapping up towards like the day seven and people are really excited to get their phones back, I was like starting to have a panic. I'm like, I don't want it, I don't want mine back. Please, please take it, keep it. I don't want it. I don't want to turn it on. I don't want to. I don't wanna see how many notifications, how many to do's, how many people I'm disappointing.

Like, I just, just don't want it. Um, so that was amazing. And then I actually just joined this thing called Ascent, which my friend Stiles, who's someone I really admire, created. And we did a retreat this past weekend. And one of my big takeaways from that retreat was I've been so obsessed with work for as long as I can remember. And, and when I say work, I mean it in the traditional sense of how I make a living when the real work we all know is in here. And so I'm trying to create space to do this work because this is the work that I've ignored for far too long.

Can you give me like a fabric of that real work? Like, what is something that you'd say you consistently do as you're moving forward of doing the work? Because we hear that a lot. Yeah, right. Like, I'm doing the work, I'm doing the work. But what is, what does that mean to you? I'd say doing the real work is. God, it's. That's a great question. Because it's like, I know what it is, but I don't know how to define it. It's the things that you don't maybe get a big reward. The way I think about it, it's like it's not going to be rewarding in the moment.

It's more of a long term sustainable reward. So you think about waking up and journaling or doing, doing simple things like exercising and going on a walk. Not because you want to look a certain way or feel, you just. And you need to integrate it into your life. And I've been working from a place of burnout for so long and I'm like, this is not good. And when we did this retreat with Ascent, I think one big aha moment, which is so obvious, but we went rucking. I was like, what's rucking? I like, hadn't heard that term before.

We were rucking, we're hiking. It was gorgeous. And I was so at peace, and I was having deep conversations with a couple of women about everything. And I just had this moment and I got, like, teary. I'm like, I can access this whenever I want. I can go connect in nature and have, like, a real meaningful relationship connection whenever I want, d*** near every day. And I don't do that because I don't have time or I'm too busy. But then what happens is there's like a ripple effect of investing in nature, investing in deep relationships and connections.

And that's one of the things I think I have shame in, is my. I've been trying to have deep connections with 700 people. You can't do that. So what happens? I'm constantly disappointing people because I don't know how to have. I don't know how to explain it. It's like, I do a lot of events, and because I am the way I am, I. I connect with people. But then pretty soon, that person that I meet at an event one time is inviting me to their baby shower or something. I can't go. No. And I can't. And I don't.

I feel like a jerk being like, you're not really that close of a friend to me, but, like. But I don't want them to feel like they're not important. Does that make sense? It does. Do you feel it's expected that you're. Yes, you do. And let me help you with that one. It's not like. It is not like that is what ends up happening is, Sarah, you are a figure that a lot of people gravitate to. And so when people gravitate to you, they want to be around that energy. Yes. That's what ends up happening. So what we're saying is, Sarah, please come.

Yes. Why? Because they like your energy. And. And what you have to realize is you have to love your own energy first. I know. And you. You have to love your own energy and you have to love being around you, because otherwise you're going to go there and you're going to put on the show. That's what I do. Exactly right. You're going to put on the show, and it's going to drain you. Yeah. And it'll continue to drain you. Well, I don't even really like going to events. If I could go to an event and just be like, not me and just exist, I will probably enjoy it.

But what happens is I go to an event. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. And I'm like, hi. Performing and smiling and. And it's not that, it's not that I. How do I say this? Ugh. If you can come up with a solution for me for this, I'll pay you a million dollars that I don't have. But I love supporting people, I love showing up for people, I love cheering people on. But that's another thing where I've disappointed people. I get invited to events all day, every day and I say no all the time. And then I think sometimes the perception is like, oh, she thinks she's too cool or she's whatever.

And I've actually gotten like nasty messages from people being like, I can't believe you didn't show up for my event. This, that and the other thing. And I know I need to just try to like do this, but it's really hard. And then if I engage with an excuse, that's. And if I don't answer, so I'm constantly like, how do I. And then it makes me not want to do what I do for a living. And that's what I've been struggling with. So you think of someone, like, for me, I like Billie Eilish. Like, I love her and I probably messaged Billie Eilish being like, I love you, you know, before.

But I wouldn't expect her to like, come to my birthday party or something. And I'm not comparing myself to Billie Eilish, let's just be clear. But I think she has fans that just love her for her message and what she's doing and feel so connected to her. But the problem is, like, I'm not a celebrity in that, but I have like a mini layer of that. And what happens when you're at that weird mini where I like kind of like a little bit of things or people know my name or whatever, but I'm not up there.

Then people think I'm a lot more accessible than I am. Just about to say. Made myself very accessible out of people pleasing and not wanting to. People feel like I'm whatever. And then. So I'm constantly in this thing where I'm like, how do I. One thing that bothers me is we talk about in society all the time, gotta have boundaries, have boundaries. I'm like, what is that? Like, give me a playbook with my specific situation and tell me how to execute it because I don't know how to do it. And the worst thing that I struggle with is people thinking that I think I'm self important because I'm not.

I think we're all equal. I think we all, you know, have ways to contribute on this beautiful earth. But I think that I do also have a gift, and I don't want to disregard that either. And I want to be proud of that and confident in that. So I'm hoping in my 40s, I can stop caring a little bit about what people think, but it's really hard. Go back to social media. You think about influencers. And I don't make. I don't really make money on social media. I'm not like, I have this product. I have a little bit of partnerships and stuff.

But think about how messed up it is that we as a society, influencers, content creators specifically, are monetizing people being liked. Yes. And then if people are, like, doing a takedown, we're like, we don't like you, and then we're gonna ruin your life. And this is fun, and it's a game, and we're all gonna gang up on you because you've had too much success. The amount of people that came into my DMs when this whole thing was going down were all business owners, entrepreneurs, famous musicians, people that have been through it.

And the amount of people that use. The saying that I had never heard before was like, crabs in a barrel. Honestly, I've never heard it before, but I want to know. I don't even know if I should try to describe it, because I don't totally know, but it sounds like everyone's, like, trying to get out of the barrel, or all these crabs are trying to get a barrel. And, like, one gets up to, like, maybe help all the others get out or whatever, but they're like, oh, you're too high up there. Bring them down, bring them down.

And so I hadn't heard that term before. And because the irony is I literally love lifting people up. It's like what I get out of bed to do in the morning, but I do it using my platform. And so it's kind of, you know, what's. You know, what's really strange is, you know, I'll never forget. We would have been probably like, 25. Yeah. And I just remember probably 25 to 30. And I'll never forget watching the show at night. And again, I'm not comparing you to Justin Bieber, but. But so. So do I, not gonna lie.

But I'll never forget he was like, it was the paparazzi that was taking pictures, whatever. And he just kept saying, ah, we're back at the zoo. Back at the zoo, right? Like, I'M an animal, and you're taking pictures of me and you're sharing it for. And I. And I. I had to, like, recognize and think about, like, I can't imagine what fame must be like. And at that level of fame, when you're saying, like, I'm here in the expectation for accessibility or otherwise, imagine 1 million followers. Imagine 5 million followers.

Imagine the life that, that this, like, we're doing this downtown Minneapolis, knocking on the door, trying to get in, taking pictures the minute we get out. And it never would stop. So, like, again, I just want, like, total empathy for what you're dealing with, but then also for those individuals that truly are, like, the vision of, like, the zoo that we're talking about. And it feels so sad. It's really sad. So I just want you to say. I just want you to know, like, you can show up for you, Sarah.

Yeah. You're 40. You don't have to worry about anybody else. Yeah, you worry about you. And again, just think about a comment that you made 25 minutes ago was based upon anxiety, panic attacks, self fulfillment, new age that you're going into. This is your turn of what you want and not trying to please somebody else. Yeah, thank you. No, I need to hear that over and over and over. Cause, yeah, it's really. I. How do I say this? I've done a lot of good in the community that no one can take that away from me.

And I think, you know, I do a lot of work with, like, these cute older ladies that are, like, in their 70s and 80s, and they've, you know, talked about the impact I've made and the impact I've made through Fashion Week and the connections and stuff like that. So I think for me, I'm not gonna not show up anymore because that would not be authentic. That would be me caring too much about what's gonna. Someone's gonna say if I do this. I don't care. I'm gonna keep showing up. If you don't like it, don't participate in it.

Don't hang out with me, don't follow me, don't whatever, don't support me. I don't. It's okay. You do you. Yeah, I'm. I rub you the wrong way. And, like, I also, like, I know this is such a mom thing to say. This is my total mom. And I, I, I hesitate saying this because it's whatever, I'll just say it. But my mom in her cute, like, northern Minnesotan accent's like, I just think some people are just Jealous. And I was like, you know, probably because I think there is a perception, like, you know, I.

I have all these cool things going on. I found a fashion week. I've. I'm into fashion and style, and I get these brand. Like, there's this perception that I got it all or I'm. I made it. And that's just not true. But if. If you're someone that's not in a good spot and you look at me and you're like, oh, who does she think she is? You know what I mean? I'm going to. I don't like it, you know, or if you're too happy or if you're too joyful, like, you don't like that, you know, But I'm just trying to be okay knowing that my pure existence might annoy people, and that's okay.

And as long as I know that I'm not hurting anyone or purposefully trying to, you know, whatever. I sleep really good at night. I know who I am, and I know how I show up. And I also know that I'm not perfect, and I've never made that claim. That would be wild to make that claim. And I also know that if I really want to keep growing, I have to keep making mistakes. I'm not going to just sit in this little house being like, oh, my God, anything I do, it might not be perfect. And then everyone's going to hate me.

And, like, that's just not a way to live. I want to end with Little Big. Okay, so you have this new product. It's hit the beta stores, and it was just what you just talked about. Yeah, right. Was this mindset of, like, oh, my gosh, look what Sarah's doing. It's. It's launching the new app. It's. It's that picture. I was scared that, that. That people feel like success has hit again. Yeah. But I think it's really important to just kind of end this with. Take somebody through what it's like to get to that moment where.

Where somebody deems what you just talked about, jealousy or otherwise, of quote, unquote, success. Yeah. Because I know you've reached out. Like, I'm anxious. I'm. I'm curious. I'm looking for somebody, some help. I got this. I got this. But, like, nobody hears that story, and I just want you to take a minute to share that with everybody. Yeah. So, like, I'll take it back to the beginning with that LinkedIn post. So when I pushed to, like, publish that, like, LinkedIn post, I was like, I felt really good and free.

And then I was like, oh my God, what did I just do? Should I. Did I just do that? And then I was kind of like, what's next? Like, I didn't have a plan. I literally didn't. Like, I've always loved connecting people and Little Big was born out of that. But I didn't have that. Like, I literally built Little Big in four months, which is insanity. It's like people don't understand. I've been living little big 24 7, working an embarrassing amount, working with my buddy Ajay in India at like doing like zooms at 3:30 in the morning.

Cause that's when his team is available. And like working with me. And I call ChatGPT Sedsy. I named her because she's been my business partner through all of this. But it's been every up and down imaginable and worry and shame and anxiety and people questioning what I'm doing and myself questioning my family and friends being worried. It's been like the absolute highest highs and the darkest, lowest lows and almost no in between. Honestly, like, it's been a little. It's been extremely emotional.

And for me, Little Big isn't like a business. It's not like I'm making like a coffee mug. It's like I'm trying to change not humanity, but like how we connect a little bit. Yeah. And that's like a big thing. And I've been doing it alone. And that's been the hardest part. Like, I've been craving a business partner or just a team. Because I know, I know I need that. I need it for accountability. I know what my skill sets are and strengths are. And I know what they definitely aren't. So I'm really excited for like the next chapter of Little Big to figure out like, who that team is and what it looks like.

Because I know Little Big is something special. And I know it'll be even better once I get a really incredible group of people around it to protect the. Not just the idea, but the values of it. The values of what it's intended to be. And going to our conversation we had earlier, like, I need help editing because I have a zillion ideas a day. Some of them are amazing and some of them are awful. And I'm again alone in it right now. So it's hard for me to tell which ones are good or bad or worth pursuing.

So I think with. We didn't talk about this, but Little Big also has a 6,000 square foot studio space. That's really about building community and connection so people can go there as a member and do photo shoots and video shoots, record podcasts or have workshops, but it's really about building those organic connections that you might not meet in your day to day. So Little Big has been every ounce of me all consuming, and it's come at the sacrifice of my health and mental health and physical health and relationships.

And I'm not saying that with a badge of honor. I'm saying that as truth. And I'm excited to get to a place where I can build it from, a place of a strong health foundation. Because we don't take care of our health first. Our mind, body, spirit, we're no good. And I'm at that point now where I'm learning that the internal work, if I don't take care of that, Little Big will never have a chance at success. You're. You're. You're speaking to one that burns it on both ends, too. Yeah. And so I totally empathize, and I know what that's like.

Yeah. And you will get out of this. Yeah. You'll get out of this. You know how people are going to say and see you and say, I want to help. Yeah. And when the help comes along, you take it graciously and you keep going. They keep going after your vision. You never stop. But you need to break the equilibrium point of like, this is burning me. Yes. And let's get that done for you as soon as possible because you can almost kind of see you getting emotional talking about it. The time, effort, energy, et cetera.

And because you're going back to. Again, I can't remember exactly. I think it was Wonderhouse and the agents. Yeah. Yeah. You're going back to those early days again. Yeah. In a very different capacity. Yes. With a transition of identity. Yeah. A transition of time. Yeah. Very different time of life. Yep. All of it's happening now. Risk level is higher. Yeah. All of a tire for you. Yeah. People are going to hear, people are going to connect, and people will know that this is the right person to put my chips in and support.

And you're that. Thank you. Okay. Yeah. I think it's. Thank you. I'm so grateful I met you. I can't. You have a very special gift, and I'm sure everyone close to you, like, knows that, but you really make me feel seen. And I don't. I. Even though I'm very public, I don't really feel like anyone ever really gets me or sees me. So. I'm very. That's like, a gift. And I think, yeah, I. I just want anyone that's, like, listening to this, that. That feels like alone and wherever they're at and whatever they're working on, that sometimes, like, the really hard moments are the ones that help us get to, like, a really beautiful moment.

And you don't realize it when you're in it. When you're in it, it feels like the world is burning and you're. There's nothing to be done. But usually what happens after that is really, truly beautiful. And I think, gosh, how amazing that I failed at so many things because I get to take all of those learning lessons. I'm like, well, I won't do that again. That's the gold. Yeah. That is the goal. There's a quote where it's like, you don't learn from success. You learn failing. And I have, because I'm fearless and trying stuff.

I've tried so many things that some have had success and some haven't. But now looking back, I'm like, I have so many beautiful life lessons that I need to have experienced. So I. When I'm building Little Big, which I think is my. I don't want to say my legacy, but my thing that I want to really contribute to the world. I've learned a lot to get there, but now I've learned enough to know I cannot do it alone. I need the right people. Yeah. I'm sure you've heard the old adage, if you want to go somewhere fast, go alone.

You want to go somewhere far, you go together. Totally. And in order to do this and do this well. Yeah. You will need an amazing team, an amazing group, and amazing people working with you that are right along by your side. Yeah. And to be frank, it's. So let's say you do build big, build Little Big. And you are right. Yeah. It's going to keep going. It's going to keep going, but you're doing it alone. It just doesn't have the same, like, impact. No. For you and others. No. So, you know, let's. Let's get you over the hump.

Okay. So we can make that happen. Okay. Amazing. And then, you know, to end with, I think you're also amazing, and I think you have a lot. A lot of gifts, and I can't wait to see this come to fruition. In fact, Cadre is a part of. Yeah. We're the first ever. You know, call it. What would we say? Co. Not member. Yeah. Look like community. Member of the community which we were so jacked about and can't wait to be a part of. But, you know, earlier you had talked about, you know, the individuals that are following you and that may say bad things.

So if you're an. Where not to find Sarah Edwards, but if you're, if you're a good person, where do you follow? Like, where can people see you? Yeah. All the things I really love LinkedIn, which is just I am Sarah Edwards. And then that's my Instagram too, is just I am Sarah Edwards. But I. I do really love LinkedIn and I've been starting to do long form writing too. That's a little more personal. With a little newsletter that I have on, people can sign up on my website. I've been just trying to.

It's almost like a journal that's a little more raw, if you will. I like it. Okay. And then as far as Little Big right now in beta, are you able to download on the store? You can go to the App Store and you can download it. So either Apple, Android, right now, just Apple, it should be available Google, like Soonish. There's a couple things I have to figure out. com and any technical experience before this, that's insane. So just everybody's listening to that. Like somebody building an app that is never.

You've never coded, you've never done any of it before. And you and your buddy in India are absolutely crushing this thing. Thank you. Way to go. Thank you. Sometimes we don't stop and think like, oh, yeah, like built an app and it's wild. Very impressive.