Today in our “What makes a community builder?” series we are delighted to have Sarah Fox (she/her), a coaching supervision expert and the creator of Reclamation, share their story. We love to hear from The Portal Creators on what community building means to them. If you’d like to share your story,
please get in touch.
Based in Ramsgate Kent UK, Sarah had tried all kinds of platforms and apps in her five years of running a business. In her words: “I am a tech geek and love it. I've been growing my business slowly - occasionally being swayed by the 6/7 figure conversation but always listening to my gut, thankfully and not going too far that way.” She hosted a Facebook group for a while but found “it was a lot of effort for not a lot of reward”. She also hosts the Do Good and Do Well podcast.
“Community is one of my core values.” - Sarah Fox
“This is an offer for coaches of all backgrounds and experience, both new and experienced, to get supervision support on their coaching practice from an accredited supervisor and experienced coach.
Coaching supervision is a professional space where coaches can reflect on their work. It’s not about being checked up on. Instead it's a supportive process that helps you grow your skills, make sure you're working ethically and safely and it helps you to look after your own wellbeing as a coach.
You’ll also get business support to help you grow your coaching practice in a way that aligns with your values and coaching practice. So often marketing tactics feel very different to how we coach - we want to steer clear from the pressure-filled world of quick wins, niching down or seven-figure promises.
And it’s a chance to connect with other thoughtful, likeminded coaches in a community that values care, fairness and integrity, again, away from the hype and hustle of the online coaching world.”
“The Portal aligns to my coaching approach - it's collaborative, not hierarchical and supportive. Plus I want to support other female founders and not the big tech companies.”
“Community is one of my core values. I grew up on what was a notorious housing estate in Dorset in the 80s and my sense of community started there. My dad was a disabled man and he did a lot of volunteering for disability and local charities and organisations but often felt like he didn't belong, so I understand how you can be part of a community but not feel connected to the people around you.
Prior to running my coaching supervision business, I spent 20+ years working in the not-for-profit and charity sector, particularly at the intersection of culture, arts and social change. I worked with all kinds of communities in all kinds of places. It was complex, unpredictable work - communities are vital but they are made up of people, and often where there are people, there is conflict! So my perspective on community is varied “
“The Portal aligns to my coaching approach - it's collaborative, not hierarchical and supportive.” - Sarah Fox
“Building supportive communities is vital to me right now. I know the challenges and opportunities faced by socially minded, bigger-than-self-thinking coaches who are trying to navigate the desire to make the world a better place and have a financially sustainable business where their values run through the business like a golden thread.
I think I'm good at creating inclusive, collaborative and thoughtfully held spaces where people feel safe enough to be honest, open enough to listen and inspired enough to act. The more of us that show it's possible to do things in a different way, the better.”
I've been lucky enough to be interwoven in several online communities, some long term, some fleeting. The thing I'm most curious about right now is how to build in-person community to complement the digital.
If you feel inspired by Sarah’s community building story, please do connect with them on these links.
Thank you so much Sarah for sharing your story with us in our series “What Makes a Community Builder?”.
If you’re curious about joining The Portal you are welcome here:
