We spent time with Sara Abbas, the dynamic CEO and founder of international talent agency, Ev0lver, Inc. As a powerhouse entrepreneur, Abbas is constantly on-the-go—leading her businesses and creating the next thing. Learn how Sara has gone from business and music to writing her first book, Supremely Being, and starting a health movement.
MA: Tell us more about yourself!
SA: I spent my earlier years overseas and came to the U.S. from Kuwait as a refugee of the first Gulf War. With war being part of my life at a very young age, having experienced the devastation and destruction first-hand, I was always inspired to live peacefully and believe that every problem has a peaceful solution. With the right mindset, dedication and creativity, anything is possible. The audacity to play the game differently, so to speak, has helped me become a dedicated business leader and is also an integral part of how I live my life.
I am now CEO and founder of Ev0lver, Inc., an international talent agency specializing in diverse talent and customized experiential campaigns. We do have a great deal of incredible traditional talent (models, influencer, actors, musicians, etc.), but what sets us apart is creative, highly specialized marketing efforts, serving our ever-evolving clients. Ev0lver Inc. has become infamous for a proprietary method of employing talent like models, actors, and influencers to sell products and promote brands through social media, traditional media, and through experiences (such as live events, conventions, festivals, etc.). Consumers crave ‘experience’ – that’s exactly what we deliver!
Being around these wonderful, talented people inspired me to pursue my own creative talents as singer and songwriter. Singing and writing have always been very dear to me, so to be able to combine two of my favorite things is the ultimate dream come true! Follow me on social media to keep up with my new music and personal journey through the entertainment industry, with an insider’s spin.
Aside from Ev0lver, I own and operate Abbas, Inc. – a consulting firm catering to luxury brands. I generate sales and amplify ROI for finer products and conscious companies; I have always enjoyed helping the brands I love thrive and maximize profits – it’s second nature to me. This is something I enjoy immensely and, as a result, has always been something at which I excel.
I also founded We Need Space (WeNeedSpace.org), a very new non-profit providing free mindset and self-improvement resources to those in need. There is much more in store for this one down the road though.
I authored Supremely Being (SupremelyBeing.com), a top-rated international wellness book, available on Amazon, and many other retail and media outlets.
I am working on bringing a film I wrote to life about the first Gulf War. And, I also design lingerie and swimwear… I don’t know how I find time to sleep, but I swear I do!
It’s with great pleasure that my different gifts and joys have finally come together as I merge passion with purpose. Coming to that point was a long, hard road, but nothing is quite so liberating!
I’m setting new, “conscious” standards in a sometimes-dark industry (entertainment), and I am proud to run successful minority female-owned and operated entities. It is also a true honor to serve as an advocate for other women and artists, in a time when we need it most.
MA: How did you get started?
SA: Starting the first business, Abbas, Inc., was a big ordeal for me. I had been working in the industry for about five years beforehand and had been keeping notes along the way of companies doing it right and those who were making mistakes or burning bridges. The latter really stood out. I always thought, how can I do this better? I learned more about the process just diving into it head first than I would have had I researched it forever. I remember learning all about how to incorporate a business along the way and the countless hours I spent up studying all the ins and outs of running a corporation. Not as much of it was done online back then either, so there was a lot of mailing forms and checks into different agencies, then just waiting to hear back from them throughout the whole process. The suspense added to the stress.
The real caveat is this: life doesn’t stop while you’re starting a new business. One of the most inspirational humans I know, Bob Leone (president of MRC Smart Technology Solutions, now a Xerox company), described it as “changing the tires while you’re driving the car”- he was so right!
You have to keep going with everything else in life while you get your new ‘baby’ up and running. It’s a process! I remember working all sorts of side gigs, hosting events, doing commercials, conventions – everything under the sun to save up to start my business and keep it going. To this day I have never borrowed any capital for start-up costs or operations for any of my businesses.
The birth of Ev0lver Inc., was a rather serendipitous revelation. I had been inadvertently managing a pool of talent on the side to activate experiential events for my consulting clients; I had been hand-selecting sharp, charismatic people, training them on each of these brands, even helping them learn new skills like sales techniques and maintaining business relationships. It took me a few years to realize what I had on my hands, but I eventually separated that pool of talent and began to build Ev0lver, Inc. That decision was easy and incorporating my second company was a much smoother process. I knew the ropes and how to set myself up for greater success the second time around.
MA: We often only see the glimmering success stories. Let’s keep things real for our readers. What was your process like? What were some of the struggles and hardships?
SA: The process was lonely but exhilarating. There’s no other way to describe it. My vision encompasses many different industries and pulls from my unique gifts to create a big picture that I had never seen before; I wanted to own these different businesses, I wanted to make music, I wanted to design and direct, I wanted to work with world leaders, so many different facets. I did not know anyone who had ever accomplished what I was setting out to do, so there was no blueprint and no one who I could really turn to for many of the questions I had along the way. There was no business plan out there for all of this, so I looked for answers in the wrong places and spent time trying to find “peers” and relevant “masterminds”, when there was no one who shared this exact vision. And that’s okay. I’m at peace with that now, but it was disheartening at times. You tend to lose people along the way too. When you love your projects as much as I do, they become your children, and other areas of life may not receive the same amount of passion or attention. My family and loved ones have been incredibly understanding. I thank my lucky stars every day for those who have stuck by me throughout this journey.
MA: How did you stay motivated throughout your journey?
SA: I always knew what I wanted to accomplish. I did not always know “how” it would happen. Sometimes I still don’t, but I have a great deal of faith in myself and the process these days. Trust the process!
When I get discouraged, I adjust my focus back to my vision, the big picture. I sometimes think of my near-death experience too; that’s another story for another interview but recalling the miracle of my survival reminds me that I’m absolutely supposed to be here. It reminds me of the agreement I made before I came here—an agreement I made to serve in a leadership capacity. It motivates me to follow through with my promises to myself. As traumatic as the experience was, it serves as this endless source of internal motivation for me.
MA: Who did you lean on for support throughout your journey? Do you still lean on the same tribe?
SA: This is a great question and it really made me reflect. The tribe seems to change a bit as my goals evolve. Often, I look within for answers, and I meditate my way through more than anything else. But, I have a solid team of lawyers, entrepreneurs, artists/musicians, marketers, healers, accountants, mystics, and just an all-around phenomenal network these days. When I have a question, I go to the right person in that field. This wasn’t always the case, but I work hard to help others whenever possible, and this seems to bring positive, helpful people my way as well.
MA: Who were some of your mentors?
SA: I always looked up to my parents (and still do); they’re the most generous, humble, loving, hard-working, ethical, protective human beings I think I’ve ever encountered. I’m so blessed to have grown up with their collective wisdom and influence.
There are some stellar souls out there doing a world of good. I look up to a handful of CEOs, creators, and world leaders, as well as some of the business leaders in my circles, but there’s far too many to list. I follow some of them on my personal Instagram (@HerMajestySara) though if you want to see who I keep an eye on there.
MA: What were some mistakes that you made along the way?
SA: I don’t really know if I believe in the term “mistake”—I like to think everything happens for a reason and it all helps us grow.
If I could do it all over again, I would have started sooner and never looked back. I would also have trusted myself more in the beginning; there have been clients with whom I did not fully align, but I still ended up working with them, despite these differences. When I was starting my businesses, I wanted to build my portfolio and help everyone I could. But, just because you can help—doesn’t mean you should. It’s so important to align yourself with brands and people you can really get behind and support with all your heart.
Never do anything ‘just for the money.’
MA: What was your big breakthrough moment?
SA: As a perfectionist, I often don’t take enough time to celebrate my own wins along the way. I’m always working towards the next goal, and sometimes I miss my own milestone. It’s difficult to see all of your progress from the inside.
I had a major breakthrough moment when I noticed someone in Spain was selling used copies of my book, Supremely Being, on Amazon for $145 (MSRP $18.99). At the time, it was not available for print in Europe, and because it had been helping so many people in the U.S., there was an unusually high demand for it overseas. I wasn’t really earning anything from these sales because they were selling second-hand books originally purchased in the U.S. But, just seeing that other people find so much value in the book, and that they were capitalizing on that, filled me with gratitude. I had already moved onto my next project at that time, so I had almost forgotten about all the love and energy that went into creating my first book. That moment really made me reflect on what I’ve accomplished and all the wins I may have overlooked while I had my blinders on, staying focused.
MA: Did you almost give up at any point? What led up to almost giving up? How did you persevere?
SA: Yes and no. In my mind, I remain clear on my master plan and never stray. But, there was a time when I would let others project their fears or limitations onto me. It made me second guess myself and question my own motives. In conversations with others, it is sometimes apparent that many people don’t understand why I may be working through the holidays or home on a Saturday night. Not everyone understands the sacrifices and risks you take to bring your dreams to life. They probably don’t mean any harm, but they get scared and wish that you did something they could rationalize doing themselves.
I’m sensitive to the needs and wishes of others. As a creator, I have learned to be careful about who I’m around and who I communicate with on a regular basis to protect my vibe. If I had a dollar for every time someone suggested a “nine-to-five”, a “job with benefits,” or “something with a safety net,” let’s just say I would have enough to incorporate another company! You have to learn to tune this out though and keep following your heart. It’s the only way.
MA: What is something that you wish you knew when starting out?
SA: Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. As business owners, we often find ourselves doing things we don’t love while our businesses are growing. It can be tempting to continue doing it all yourself to conserve cash flow or save time on training new personnel. It’s sometimes tempting to spend all-nighters bookkeeping and doing tax prep, but the truth is, just because I can do it myself, doesn’t mean I should.
There are people out there who are better at those things and actually enjoy doing those things you don’t love. Why deny them that opportunity to earn doing something they love? You are not doing yourself any favors by doing the tasks you don’t enjoy. In fact, you’re keeping yourself from living in alignment with sharing your true gifts and you’re denying someone else an opportunity to make money. Spend that extra time you gain delegating by doing more of what makes you money, and you won’t think twice about the expenditure. It’s a win-win.
MA: What advice do you have for people starting out?
SA: Surround yourself with people who are at the level you want to be at. Not where you think you are now, and certainly not where you were (unless that’s where you want to go next). You will level up accordingly just by observing and absorbing greatness. These people might be hard to find in real life; make it your job to seek the company and counsel of mentors and high-level achievers. This will help skyrocket your own success in ways you never thought possible.
MA: What does “audacity” mean to you?
SA: For me, audacity symbolizes the courage necessary to manifest greatness. It’s the “beyond”, the “extra” that doesn’t coexist with the “everyday” and the “regular”. It’s not essentially outrageous (though it could be). It’s simply a necessary ingredient in the recipe of entrepreneurship, and you only need a pinch of audacity to make a massive impact.
MA: Where can we find you online?
SA: You can connect with me and my companies at:
Ev0lver Inc.
Website: Ev0lverInc.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ev0lverinc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Ev0lverinc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ev0lverinc
Connect with Sara
Sara’s Website: HerMajestySara.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/HerMajestySara
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerMajestySara
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerMajestySara/
