Sarah Fowlkes grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas, in a family where work was hands-on and self-driven. Her father worked as an arborist. Her mother ran her own environmental consulting firm. Watching both shaped how she thinks about effort and ownership.
She stayed busy early on. Band, cheer, choir, theatre, and school clubs filled her time. She made varsity in cheer and choir. That mix of structure and teamwork taught her how to manage time and show up consistently.
She went on to study biology at St. Edward’s University on an academic scholarship. During that time, she worked as a pharmacy technician. The job required precision and accountability. It gave her an early understanding of responsibility.
Her career took a turn when she joined her mother’s company, AmaTerra. She spent seven years in business development. There, she learned how relationships shape outcomes and how long it takes for ideas to turn into real work.
Today, she is a Client Account Manager at Jacobs, supporting Army and Air Force clients. Her work focuses on alignment, communication, and keeping projects moving forward.
Outside of work, she has spent nearly a decade with the Society of American Military Engineers. She now serves as President of the San Antonio Post.
Her path shows how steady effort, strong relationships, and follow-through can build something meaningful over time.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day usually starts with checking priorities across projects and clients. I try to get clear on what actually needs movement that day. A lot of my time is spent in meetings, but I block time in between to follow up. That’s where things really get done. I keep a running list of action items and try to close at least a few each day. If I don’t write it down, it doesn’t happen.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I break them down fast. If something feels too big, I know it won’t move. At SAME, I had an idea to better connect small businesses with larger firms. Instead of planning a huge program, I started by making a few targeted introductions. That turned into repeat connections, then into something bigger.
What’s one trend that excites you?
More focus on small business inclusion in federal work. It’s still not perfect, but people are paying attention. There’s more effort to bring new firms into conversations earlier.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Following up quickly. Even a short response keeps things moving. I’ve seen opportunities stall just because no one replied in time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Stop overthinking timing. I used to wait until I felt “ready.” Most growth came from stepping into things before I had it all figured out.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Networking isn’t about meeting new people all the time. It’s about seeing the same people consistently. That’s where trust actually builds.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Show up. Even when it feels repetitive. I’ve seen more results from consistency than from any single big moment.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I go back to basics. I pick one task and finish it. Usually something small. That helps reset momentum. If everything feels urgent, nothing gets done.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Staying in the same spaces long enough to be recognized. With SAME, I didn’t just attend one event. I kept going back. People started to remember me. That led to more conversations, then more opportunities.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
When my teaching contract ended, it felt like a setback. I didn’t have a clear next step. Working at AmaTerra gave me a new direction. It taught me that a change in path doesn’t mean starting over. You just apply what you’ve learned in a new way.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A simple matchmaking platform for small A/E firms and larger contractors. Not a big system. Just curated introductions based on actual project needs. Most people don’t need more tools. They need better connections.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Outlook, honestly. I use flags and categories heavily. My inbox becomes my task list. It’s simple, but it works.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I liked Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s straightforward. It focuses on small actions, which is how most progress actually happens.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I watched The Bear. It’s intense, but it shows how chaotic environments can still produce great work if people stay committed.
Key learnings
- Consistency builds stronger results than one-time effort
- Relationships grow through repeated interaction, not quick networking
- Breaking ideas into small steps increases execution
- Follow-up is often the difference between stalled and completed work
- Access and visibility remain key challenges for small businesses