Fasten your seatbelt and prepare to enjoy the Sarah Petty ride. She’ll amuse you with her personal tales of starting and owning not one, but two, wildly successful companies. She’ll take you through the ups and downs, and around the harrowing curves of creating, running and profiting from a successful boutique business. Owner of Sarah Petty Photography in Springfield, IL, one of the most profitable photography studios in the country according to the Professional Photographers of America, and founder of the Joy of Marketing, Petty began her career in the marketing department at the world’s largest brand, Coca-Cola Enterprises. She went on to direct the marketing campaigns of many small businesses at a top regional advertising agency. After earning her MBA, Petty opened her boutique photography studio in 2001.

Petty is a New York Times best-selling author, sought after business transformation specialist keynote speaker. Her book, Worth Every Penny: Build A Business That Thrills Your Customers and Still Charge What You’re Worth, with praise from industry experts, Michael Gerber, Dan Kennedy and John Jantsch, has taught thousands of small business owners how to see their companies and their lives through a new lens.

From the moment she bounds on stage to the conclusion of her fast-paced, visually thrilling and exhilarating talk, Petty keeps her audience engaged and wanting more. An award-winning photographer, Petty offers the audience what most others don’t – a visual treat for every tasty business lesson she serves up.

For 17 years, Sarah Petty has been harnessing the power of the boutique business model and teaching others the secrets to earning what they’re worth and not feeling a bit guilty about it. An expert in variety of marketing and branding topics, Petty is able to speak from experience on a wide range of business topics including, but not limited to: branding, marketing, the high-touch experience and more. 

Superpowers: Can reach anything on the top shelf (Sarah is 6 feet tall!)

Little Known Facts: Played Division I college volleyball, can’t beat her teenage son at Connect Four, allergic to cats but kept the one that appeared during a snowstorm anyway (wonders if it is a raccoon or possum since she doesn't sneeze). Only wants to write with an extra-fine point roller ball pen despite the fact that they explode on just about every plane trip.

Likes: Reading business books, the color orange, lots of bracelets, designing spaces to reflect the person who lives or works there, hot tea and volleyball.

Dislikes: Crabby people and negativity.

Thing I love most about what I do: I get to share my passion for marketing with small business owners around the world and walk hand-in-hand with them while they succeed. There’s no better feeling!