Non-linear careers w/ Sarah Hawken

I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Hawken, Senior Marketing Manager at Bumble, last summer when I interviewed for my position as Community Leader for the Bumble Honey Ambassador Program. Since then, Sarah became one of my bosses and a source of inspiration, grace, and a mentor to me and all other ambassadors within the program. I had the pleasure to sit down with Sarah and chat about her journey to her current position at Bumble. We talk about love, non-linear career paths, self-care rituals, and more…

What is the greatest connection you’ve ever experienced?

The ongoing relationship I have with my family has shaped me into the person I am today. The deepest connection I have ever had is with my husband. Met him on vacation in Miami in his early 20s, did long distance for a bit then eloped in Miami. I knew from the moment I met Dejan that he was someone I was going to spend a really long time with. Have grown a lot together since then. The connections that shaped me the most are the ones where I felt the deepest love.

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On Developing Healthy Relationships

“How did you know Dejan was the one for you?” When we were discussing a future together it felt very natural, it wasn't scary and I didn’t have any hesitations or reservations about it. I feel like I am a better person when I have him in my life. He made me a much more confident person and pushed me in a healthy way to pursue what I like to do and what I was capable of. Every great thing that has happened to me has stemmed back to the confidence Dejan gave me. If that person doesn't support you wholeheartedly, then take a step back. Do you want this person to meet your family or meet your kids? I know Dejan is going to be the greatest dad ever.

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What is the greatest piece of advice you’ve gotten or given?

“Just show up, every single day.” You have so many opportunities it is so important to be present and take advantage of those opportunities. Be consistent every single day in worth ethic. “Show me your friends and I'll show you your future.” The true impact of your environment and the relationships you have both energy-wise, mentally and physically, have an impact on the person you develop into and your future.  “Protect your energy.”

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Can you tell me a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are at?

I have not had a linear journey to my position as Marketing Manager at Bumble. You can reach levels of success without knowing what you want to do in high school, college, after college, etc. Didn’t love college as a whole. I believe the best experience you can get is real-life experience firsthand. I always worked from a very young age, bartended every weekend during college with a full course schedule, paying for my own school. Moved to Palm Beach, Florida after school and started working at an art gallery (Palm Beach, Hamptons, NY). While I was working at the gallery, I loved thrifting and shopping so started an Etsy shop for a few years as a side hustle. I closed the Etsy shop and came back to Toronto with my husband. Took an internship (6 months) at an agency with public relations because I really wanted to figure out what I wanted to do. Agency didn’t have job openings but didn't want to lose me so they created a job for me - someone in charge of all the events. Left agency and applied to a Bumble job - didn't think I had the experience but Bumble is all about what you're capable of doing (work ethic, adaptability, and flexibility) and being able to hustle in a fast-paced environment. Need to be creative, inspired, and have a “why” behind what I am doing. So passionate about Bumble - when you care about what you're working on you can accomplish great things.

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What has kept you moving on the bad days through the building process of your career?

Work towards something will make those bad days seem much smaller. Having a larger vision/goal will make it less likely for you to get detoured by the smaller stop signs in your way.

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Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years?

I want to be working in an environment that supports and appreciates me. I want to be in my existing loving and caring relationship with my husband. Have children and a family and be fulfilled both professionally and on a personal basis. I want to feel like I have accomplished the things that I wanted to do at various points in my life. I want to build on this feeling I have right now of feeling loved, appreciated, and feeling accomplished.

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What tips do you have for personal development as a college student?

• Raise your hand and show up
• Embrace the opportunities you have, meet as many people as you can, take advantage of professors
• Expose yourself to what's available
• Diversify your time
• Say yes

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What 3 phrases would you leave behind as your legacy?

1. Follow your heart
2. Treat every day as a gift and assume tomorrow isn’t promised
3. Live passionately and love generously

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What keeps you centered in soul, body, and mind?

1. Meditation
2. Working out helps keep focus when sitting at a desk all day - the body just as important as the mind
3. Stretching and yoga

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