Sally Hendrick - From Actuary To Social Media Traffic Builder

In the latest of our profiles of women who have reinvented themselves in midlife, we talk to Sally Hendrick who set up a social media marketing business after working as an actuary for over 20 years.

An interview with Sally Hendrick founder of Social Media Traffic School.

What made you decide to do what you do?

After being coached through a weight loss program, I was intrigued by how the program was managed online using social media groups and chats. I decided to become a wellness coach and then quickly realized that I could create something to help online coaches be more successful.

Why did you wait until you did to make the change?

I had no idea this world existed before, so it fell into my lap.

How did you make the change? What or who helped you?

After I had done wellness coaching for several months, I discovered other networking groups online who were creating other coaching programs around anything and everything. I needed help in understanding the online marketing world, so I joined Kimra Luna’s online BTBY program.

How did your family and friends react?

I still kept my actuarial career going, but nights and weekends were growing long. My family didn’t really like that part of it.

How has your life changed having gone down this path?

My life has resurfaced this whole new dream for me. I always wanted to grow up to be an expat and a polyglot. I have a goal about that sort of life, at least for part of the year. I already speak Spanish and Italian pretty well. Now it’s time to figure out getting more travel into my life.

What advice do you have for women considering a similar life change?

Go for it. We are only on this planet once. After caring for my mother and seeing her health deteriorate earlier in her life than we expected, I don’t want to waste any more time.

What do you love most about being the age you are?

I’m confident and sure of my abilities. It makes a big difference when you are putting yourself out there in front of the world.

What do you hate most about being the age you are?

I can’t say I hate much of anything, but I wish that I didn’t need reading glasses as much as I do.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known in your twenties?

That I didn’t have to be so independent. I could have been a bit more creative with my life and not so serious, but I wouldn’t change anything at this point.

What are the most important business and/or personal lessons you’ve learnt along the way?

Learn how not to sweat the small stuff. No one expects you to be perfect, and if they do, that’s their problem.

Do you have a mantra that has guided you more than any other?

Never say never, and rarely say no to new opportunities. And…offer your children as many opportunities as you can.

Which woman do you most admire and why?

In this current phase of my life, I’d say Mari Smith – the Queen of Facebook – is one. Mari is from Scotland and lived in Canada, but she had an urge to do something great and landed in San Diego. There’s courage and perseverance in her story by being uprooted in that way.

In my past, I’d say I admire my grandmother. No matter what happened in my life, she was always there for me, never judged me, and was steadfast in her loyalty to others.

Is there anything people consistently misunderstand about you?

I get excited and tend to take over the conversation sometimes, but I try not to. I enjoy people and hearing their stories, and I just want to be a part of each one.

How can Mutton Club readers find out more about what you do?

I’m launching an online school that will help entrepreneurs get clear on their life goals, attend lectures about business concepts and online marketing, going for their dream job that is created from the heart, and then teaching all the technical pieces to connect the dots and make it happen with social media marketing. There’s a career path to follow after that for specific industries, and there will be opportunities for the superstar alumni to license what they develop back to the school to use as curriculum. I can envision an entire university of departments and offerings one day.

The wait list for my course is at SocialMediaTrafficSchool.com.