The Get Shit Done Experience is back in the studio with Michelle Sarwas, the inspiring founder of the award-winning Bark Avenue Day Camp. Michelle shares her incredible journey from a high-level international financial analyst in the corporate world to a purpose-driven entrepreneur. Spurred by personal tragedy and a life-changing master's degree project, she took a leap of faith, trading boardrooms and global deals for the science and love of canine care. For nearly two decades, Michelle has built a business on grit, resilience, and an unwavering mission to do what’s best for the dogs, proving that the greatest successes often come from the boldest decisions.

Key Takeaways

• Trust Your Gut's Alignment: The most powerful decisions are made when your head, heart, and gut all line up. When you feel that alignment, it’s time to stop analyzing and start moving forward with confidence.
• Tragedy Can Be a Catalyst: Profound loss can force a reevaluation of what truly matters. For Michelle, personal hardship became the driving force to leave a secure career and build a life based on passion and purpose.
• Leadership is Adaptability: You must manage people the way they need to be managed, not the way that’s most comfortable for you. True leadership requires being a chameleon and adapting your approach to connect with and motivate each individual.
• Accountability Defines Your Brand: Your reputation isn't built on being perfect; it's built on how you handle problems. Owning mistakes, taking responsibility, and making things right is what turns a negative experience into lasting customer loyalty.
• Know What You Don't Know: Great leaders empower their teams by stepping back. Trusting your people to do their jobs and letting go of the need to control every outcome fosters growth, loyalty, and a stronger business.

Quotes

• "When your head, your heart, and your gut come into alignment, you'll know. Sprint, start going, and you'll know the answer and just go with it."
• "People always say if you do something you love, you'll never work a day in your life."
• "You have to manage them the way they need to be managed, not the way that's comfortable for you."
• "It's not how good you are when you're good. It's how good you are when you're bad."
• "Happiness is a choice, and success is a choice. And I don't mean success financially... your business can make a huge profit, and that does not mean you're a success."
• "That's the other biggest thing as an owner is know what you don't know."

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TIMECODES

00:00 Introduction and Episode Highlights
01:05 Welcome to the GSD Experience
01:50 Introducing Michelle Sarwas and Bark Avenue Day Camp
03:45 From Corporate Finance to Entrepreneur: The Early Journey
06:20 The Capstone Project That Sparked a Real Business\
09:10 Taking the Leap: Securing an SBA Loan and Giving Notice
15:30 Surviving the 2008 Financial Crisis: "Sink or Swim"
18:15 Overcoming Personal Tragedy and Finding a New Drive
24:45 The Power of Head, Heart, and Gut Alignment
28:30 Building a Culture of Accountability and Customer Service
33:40 The Evolving Science of Dog Care and Enrichment
40:10 How Dogs Teach Us to Manage People (Especially Gen Z)\
46:50 The Art of Stepping Back to Empower Your Team
50:30 Keys to Getting Shit Done: Decisions, Mission, and Purpose
55:45 Final Words of Encouragement for Aspiring Entrepreneurs