Sara Sampley
Sara Sampley’s professional journey began in one of the most grounded—and formative—places possible: behind a cash register at Walmart. What started as an entry-level position became the foundation of a career shaped by resilience, curiosity, and a deep respect for how businesses operate from the inside out. Rather than viewing the role as temporary, Sara treated every shift as a classroom—learning firsthand the impact of customer experience, operational discipline, and teamwork.
Those early lessons carried her forward into increasingly complex roles across retail, marketing, and operations. Over the next two decades, Sara built a career supporting and partnering with major retail organizations and growing brands, holding key positions with Vendor Team Services, Solutions 4 Retail Brands, HOGBOX, RnR Tire Express, EMS, Inc., and others. Along the way, she contributed to Walmart’s “Made in USA” initiative, helping more than 1,000 small businesses navigate the supplier process and gain access to national retail opportunities. These experiences gave her a rare, well-rounded understanding of retail at scale—where systems, people, and strategy must work in harmony.
Today, Sara serves as the E-commerce Marketing Manager at Four Seasons Sales & Service, where she leads SEO, product content, and digital marketing strategy for more than 14,000 products. Tasked with rebuilding the company’s online presence from the ground up, she blends data-driven insight with a customer-first mindset, creating scalable systems that support salons, boutiques, and small business owners in running stronger, more successful operations. Her leadership is defined by clarity, collaboration, and a commitment to results that matter.
Yet even with years of hands-on experience, Sara believes growth should never plateau. She made the intentional decision to return to school and is currently completing her Bachelor of Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing, with plans to begin a Master’s program in Marketing Research and Analytics. For Sara, education isn’t a credential—it’s a commitment to continuous improvement and expanded perspective.
Service has always been a parallel thread in her life. Sara volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol, where she serves as a Second Lieutenant, mentoring cadets ages 12–18 in leadership, confidence, and character development. She is also training as an aerial photographer, contributing to emergency services and operational missions that demand precision, teamwork, and trust. In every capacity, she leads with integrity and a genuine desire to make a difference.
From cashier to e-commerce leader, from student to lifelong learner, from volunteer to officer, Sara Sampley’s story is one of steady determination and purposeful growth. She is a living example that success is not defined by where you begin, but by how consistently you choose to learn, serve, and lead—lifting others alongside you every step of the way.
• Applied Marketing Strategies
• Southern New Hampshire University
• Associate of the Year Division D
• Civil Air Patrol
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to putting myself in my customers’ shoes—truly understanding their challenges and building solutions from their perspective. That mindset was shaped and strengthened by the guidance of my mentors, Jan Fura and Mark Fowkes, whose leadership, insight, and willingness to invest in my growth taught me the value of empathy, accountability, and strategic thinking. Their influence continues to inform how I lead, collaborate, and deliver results every day.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
You don’t have to know everything — just be willing to learn. The most impactful growth in my career has come from staying curious, asking questions, and being open to feedback rather than feeling pressured to have all the answers. A willingness to learn builds adaptability, keeps you relevant as industries evolve, and creates space for collaboration and trust. It reminds you that progress comes from effort and humility, not perfection, and that leadership is less about knowing everything and more about being willing to grow alongside your team.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Lead with your heart and your passion. When you genuinely care about the work you do and the people you serve, it shows in every decision you make. Leading with heart creates trust, builds stronger teams, and keeps you grounded during challenging moments, while passion fuels consistency and growth over the long term. Skills can be learned and strategies can change, but authenticity and purpose are what sustain meaningful success and allow you to make an impact that lasts.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the field right now is the highly competitive job market, with hundreds of applicants often vying for the same roles. That level of competition makes it more important than ever to continuously sharpen skills and clearly demonstrate value. At the same time, the rapid pace of new tools, platforms, and technologies—especially in e-commerce, analytics, and AI—creates both pressure and opportunity. Staying current requires ongoing learning, experimentation, and adaptability, but those who embrace change can work smarter, move faster, and create more impactful strategies. Ultimately, the greatest opportunity lies in combining technical knowledge with human-centered thinking—using data and automation to enhance, not replace, authentic customer experiences.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, teamwork, and dedication. I believe in showing up for others, contributing where I can, and being fully invested in the people and responsibilities entrusted to me. That commitment to service extends beyond my career through my involvement with the Civil Air Patrol, where giving back and supporting others is a core focus. Outside of work, I value staying active and connected with my family—spending time outdoors, enjoying baseball, and BBQing together. These moments keep me grounded and remind me that strong relationships and shared experiences are just as important as professional success.