Influential Woman · SaaS Strategy Consulting

Sarah Tibbitts

CEO & Founder, The House of SET

Tampa, FL

Her Story

About Sarah

My career began on the tennis court as a professional tennis player, which gave me the athletic background and focus that has shaped my entire approach to business. I transitioned into the advertising world and joined Omnicom in New York City, one of the top advertising agencies in the world, if not the top. There, I specialized in strategy, working on both pharmaceutical and consumer accounts, and launched a bunch of brands. Pre-pandemic, I made the decision to move down to Tampa and open my own shop, the House of Set, which operates as a complete fractional model. I really focus on helping agencies and companies scale, optimize, and grow. A lot of people think I'm just in marketing and branding, but that's part of the larger picture - I call those levers. I specialize in working with any size company, whether they need new branding and marketing, thought leadership help, or strategic guidance. I sit alongside CEOs like Alex Gorsey of Johnson & Johnson and completely rebrand companies with them in mind, putting them into thought leadership roles. My work is very widespread - I've touched so many industries, from oncology to hazardous waste to startups and nonprofits like the Florida Aquarium. I'm also starting a premium goods brand. I opened the shop because I believed in working on accounts and with clients that I was passionate about, whether that be a Fortune 100 or a startup, so I already feel like I've won. My goal is to continue scaling and going into industries I haven't yet touched, because I think it's so cool to learn about a new industry.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Sarah

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to work ethic. Over the last couple years, I've really found God and found my faith, and I think the two go hand-in-hand. I had a lot happen to me when I was younger, but I also had a lot of opportunities and things that just built a work ethic in me that I looked at as fun, even challenges. It's not even like to be successful, but I just like to learn new things, and so my work ethic is driven by learning, it's not driven by money and titles and stuff. So I think it's definitely a healthy work ethic, but definitely work ethic.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say exhaust your network and ask the questions, like ask for help, ask for the connection. I think if you're honest, and from the beginning, you're not looking for anything other than, hey, can I ask you questions? Can you be a resource? I probably would have found those people if I was a little bit more open, and they don't have to be in your line of work either. I think I was trying to also directly look for someone in advertising and strategy, but I think that now, having gotten older, I realize that the ancillary disciplines, or just other work, it all complements each other and there's lessons in each of it. It looks a little different, but I would definitely try to get a few good voices early on, and don't have any ego issues. People will help you. You also have to understand, everyone is busy, so if you don't ask, people don't know. It's not that they're not trying, but people are just so overwhelmed. They want to help, but you have to do the work. You can't wait for someone to seek you out. So, like, if you want to eat, you gotta ask.

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