[CM Alumni] Confidence, Challenges, and Entrepreneurship: Insights from our distinguished alumna Sarah Wilcox

Change is constant in today’s world, which is why it is even rarer to find someone whose work not only adapts and shapes the future, but simultaneously displays their authenticity by staying loyal to their values. We were lucky to sit down with Ms Sarah Wilcox, our distinguished IBMBA alumni, who is now the cofounder and CEO of Genuine Tea. Learning about her and her company’s journey through the food and beverage industry has been nothing short of inspiring. Founding a company is undoubtedly a challenge only certain people can rise to, and after listening to Sarah, what really stuck with us is that entrepreneurship is a journey that consists of resilience, determination and confidence in oneself. In this interview, we dive into Sarah’s and Genuine Tea’s story—what motivates her, the lessons learned, how she sees the future unfolding, as well as how her experience at NSYSU and Taiwan impacted her journey. Additionally, she gives some important advice to our present and future students regarding their future professions and if they are to undertake entrepreneurship someday. It’s a candid chat that offers not just career insights, but a glimpse into what it means to truly make an impact.
Sarah stayed in Taiwan for 5 years and she notes that learning as much as possible was her top priority while living here, stating that it should be every person’s, especially an international student’s goal. Genuine Tea was founded in 2015 and like every business it needed a starting point. Joining farmer’s markets, as well as partnering with local cafes and bars would be the beginning of a great business journey, leading further to participating in a tv show, other events and to now running an online store where their customers can buy their products with just a few clicks. Sarah states that it is important to have different channels for one’s business which allows for various sources of revenue. Her current position as CEO of the company comes with the responsibility of managing different teams while ensuring that goals are being hit. Her husband, who is also a cofounder of Genuine Tea, is in charge of the creative process and branding of their company. Sarah now works from home, balancing life as a CEO and a mother of two children, which makes her achievements even more inspiring and admirable.
It is worth noting that the start of her journey was at NSYSU, where she had to design a business plan for her thesis. Having had this initial idea about a possible future product, she made the most out of her experience here in Taiwan and Asia, going to various remote places to learn more about the different kinds of tea and how they are made. She declares that it is crucial that one has a story and message when developing a product or service, which people can relate to and can then share for you. This was amongst the few important aspects of the business world that are mentioned consistently during our interview. While reflecting on her time at NSYSU and the new stage of life that then followed after her graduation, the conversation shifts to what comes after academia, a question all students ask themselves at one point during their college years. Sarah acknowledges that while academia has many advantages, teaching one how to complete tasks efficiently and get things done, there are still many things that we will need to learn when embarking on a career path. It is therefore important to stay flexible, curious and open to new knowledge, which will allow us to slowly gain confidence and continuously grow by trying new things.
For the future entrepreneurs among us, Sarah recommends taking entrepreneurship classes and corporate training. In addition to this, participating in programs, receiving help from the government and learning from the community prove to be quite helpful. “When choosing to develop a business, it is a big shift. Basically a whole new world so one can learn a lot by doing”- she affirms. Furthermore, participating in workshops, researching online as well as finding a mentor or consultant who can answer one’s specific questions, is also very beneficial. It is also crucial to decide if one is offering a service or product, stating that the whole process will be specific to a person’s own path and she concludes that one should take risks: “Confidence is essential”.
Lastly, we gained more insight into the job search process from the perspective of the employer. When asked how one should present themselves to future employers and what questions one should ask, Sarah further highlights confidence. “They (the interviewees) need to feel like they are worth it”. They need to take the initiative while also being able to work independently once in the work field. Important questions would be for instance regarding the type of work culture, pay, vacation, what a day-to-day looks like at the company, as well as finding out what the employer’s expectations are and what the employee’s task specifically requires them to do. She states that having similar interests and similar working styles is also beneficial for both employees and employers, concluding that a job interview can also be viewed as a conversation where both parties can open up with the purpose of getting to know each other.
As we wrapped up this conversation with Sarah, one can confidently say that her journey from NSYSU to CEO of Genuine Tea is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability and faith in one’s ability. Sarah’s experiences offer invaluable lessons not only in career development, but also personal growth and her story serves as an inspiration to current students and fellow alumni alike. Her last word of advice? “Confidence is important, as long as you are executing!” We thank Sarah for sharing her insights and wish her, her husband and Genuine Tea continued success in their future endeavors.