#Girlcrush - Sarajane Case

Written By Katie Mander

We’re totally #girlcrushing on Sarajana Case, the founder of Enneagram + Coffee. Sarajane started an enneagram Instagram account in December of 2018 and not even 5 months later, she has nearly 300k followers!

If you’re unfamiliar with the enneagram, here’s a brief introduction from The Enneagram Institute:

“The Enneagram can be seen as a set of nine distinct personality types, with each number on the Enneagram denoting one type. It is common to find a little of yourself in all nine of the types, although one of them should stand out as being closest to yourself. This is your basic personality type.”

For more information on the enneagram, Sarajane Case’s “Enneagram Basics” episode of her podcast, Enneagram & Coffee, is a great place to start!

To discover your enneagram type, you must complete a brief personality test. If you’re curious and want to learn your enneagram for fun, here’s a free test. If you’re serious about learning about the enneagram and your personality type, we suggest taking a more in-depth exam, like this one.

Our types:
Katie - 4wing5
Maddie - 8wing7
Sarajane - 7wing8

Tell us about yourself and your business!

Hi! I’m Sarajane Case the creator of Enneagram and Coffee an Instagram community & Podcast. I work with people to use the enneagram to fast track their self-awareness, bring ease in their relationships, business and relationship to self. I do this through my free content as well as our online community Club Enneagram. 

What inspired you to start your own business?

I’ve been in business for myself since 2007. I kind of happened into it as a wedding
photographer and didn’t look back. ( except for that one year where I tried my hand at working for someone else - *hi 2015* ) I savor the freedom that running a business offers me. Freedom in location, structure and creative expression. 

Is this your full time job?

It is! 

How do you structure your days?

I have a pretty consistent daily routine. I do my best to take this with me when I’m traveling too. I travel 2-3 weeks out of most months and this routine helps it to feel a bit more normal. 

6am - wake up and wash face
6:30am - connect with myself  ( either through yoga, pulling cards or meditating ) 
7:00am - breakfast & getting ready
7:30am - head out to either the office or a coffee shop 
8:00am - morning pages and time blocking my to do list 
9:00am - work on the most creative project first
11:30am- emails
12:00pm - lunch
2:00pm - back to work ( usually on more logistical tasks or meetings ) 
4:00pm - wrap up for the day 

Where and how do you work best?

I change my environment a lot. I thrive with change. I have an office that I work in most days but I also travel a lot and love working in different coffee shops or hotel lobbies. I very very rarely work from home. I find it easy to get distracted and I also appreciate the separation between work & home. 

Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?

I am offering 50% off of the first month of club enneagram for #girlcrush readers! Just use the code: #GIRLCRUSH to receive your discount! 

Where is your business based?

We are based in Asheville, NC! 

What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?

The first thing I did was start building an audience and giving away free/helpful content! 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and attracting new customers?

Building community on Instagram with people in my industry and people who speak to a similar audience! Also creating helpful, inspiring and shareable content! 

What have been your biggest challenges so far?

Definitely the visibility aspect. As my business becomes more and more successful I’ve had to come to grips with how much to share and trust that people are rooting for me to succeed not waiting for me to fail. 

How did you overcome these challenges?

I thought about my approach to other people online. Honestly, people don’t think about us as much as we think about ourselves. The truth is that people don’t really care what we’re doing and if they do, it has more to do with their relationship to life than to us.

How do you keep motivated through tough times?

I find it really helpful to do a re-check on my priorities. A lot of times when things feel overwhelming or overbooked I am able to pinpoint relatively quickly what is actually a necessity for my business and what isn’t. I knock everything off of my list except the essentials and then let myself rest until I’m ready to get back to it! 

How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?

I want to teach enneagram from a place of light-heartedness, full self-acceptance and approachability. I don’t really see anyone in my personal industry as a competitor. It’s my hope that I can create a web of people who do what we do to amplify the message of the enneagram and get people the support that they deserve. The more enneagram teachers getting business the better in my opinion! 

What is the best advice you have received recently?

“You should start an enneagram instagram account.” Best advice of my life. 

What do you wish you had known when you started your business?

I wish someone would have told me to set my business up with a financial plan to move froward. At this point all decisions I make have to be scaleable and I had to retroactively create financial systems that support the income that we make. I wish I’d set it up like that over 10 years ago. 

Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? Who or what inspired you to do what you’re doing now?

My biggest influence is likely my best friend and business associate Tyler J. McCall he pushes me on a regular basis to do more than I often feel capable of. I admire Glennon Doyle Melton for showing up relentlessly for the rights of other people. I first dove into working with the enneagram because of Suzanne Stabile & Ian Cron. 

What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?

You aren’t a work robot. Listen to your energy levels and adjust accordingly. Creativity is a necessity in our industry and yours gets diminished when you burn your candle at both ends.

What business tools/resources could you not work without?

Definitely Kajabi, Honeybook, Canva and booking.com. 

What surprising lessons have you learned along the way?

I’ve been so surprised by how much having a personal brand has mattered to me. It wasn’t something I did intentionally but branding as myself has allowed me to pivot careers relatively seamlessly over the years and that has meant the world to me.

Where would you like your business to be 5 years from now?

I would love to scale club enneagram and other programs to bring in 3 million a year. I would love to invest in long-term payouts and have written at least 3 books by then. Much more speaking and writing!

Katie Mander
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