In Conversation with Sara Koepsel
Tell us about your background:
Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, I initially wanted to be a doctor when I grew up. The summer after my sophomore year of high school, away at science camp in New England (yep – I went to science camp!) I visited Boston for the first time. I immediately fell in love with the city and knew I wanted to pursue going to college there. I attended undergrad at Northeastern University. Early on, my interests changed to majoring in business. My program required that we complete at least one internship. By my junior year, my interests had shifted specifically to fashion. I landed an internship at Michael Kors with the women’s collection team. It was here that I became fascinated with the business side of fashion. How are the products made? Where? Why? After graduation, I moved to New York and took a job with Kate Spade in their corporate offices. I would spend the next six years of my career working on the operations, production and sourcing side of the business for Kate Spade, Jack Spade, and Bonobos. I realized that my true passion was bringing products to life via the operations function of the business.
After years in the fashion industry, my interests shifted again. I had the desire to work with more everyday brands and products, so I pivoted into CPG (consumer packaged goods), specifically food and beverage. To date, brands I have worked with include; Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea, United Sodas of America, Giadzy, Paume and GoNanas. I am drawn to the good, the bad, and the all too frequently challenging day to day that is product development, R&D, material sourcing, supply chain and manufacturing for consumer products.
Now, after almost seven years of working in the startup world, I am trying to decide if I stay working with smaller brands and startups, or if I pivot back to a larger company or brand. I also recently completed my MBA at Boston University. The knowledge gained from each perspective has given me unique and invaluable experience into what it takes to transform a concept into a scalable consumer brand.
I am thrilled to be a part of the co-lab and look forward to connecting further with all of you! My passion for beautiful, sustainable, inclusive products has only increased and I look forward to exploring what career opportunities are to come.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
Everyone's path and journey is different. Don't waste valuable time, energy, or brain space comparing yourself to others.
Best career advice you've ever received?
Avoid attaching an age to a goal. (Examples include; Get "x" role by the
time I'm "x-age", get married by the time I'm "x-age", have my first child
by the time I'm "x-age". You may end up disappointed and unaware of the
more important learnings along the way.
What leadership qualities are important to you?
Empathy
Communication
Integrity
Emotional Intelligence
Accountability
Humility
Self-awareness
What has been the biggest challenge in your career so far?
I believe I am facing the biggest challenge in my career at this moment. I
am mid-career and I have just completed my MBA program. I am trying to
determine if I stay working with smaller brands/start-ups or pivot back to
a larger, more global company and how to successfully make that
pivot.
And for fun, what is your favorite wardrobe staple?
A men's Jill Sander trench coat I found at a sample sale in NYC.
