Rewrite Your Success

Thrive After 45 - Episode 2 | Rewrite Your Success

Welcome back to Thrive After 45! This is the space where we redefine YOU time—for you, by you, because of you. I’m Denise Drinkwalter, a Midlife Renewal Coach, here to help women embrace their power, purpose, and potential.

In this episode, I sit down with Sherrika Sanders, a powerhouse in accounting and leadership with over 15 years of experience navigating high-stakes corporate transitions. From mergers to IPOs, she’s been at the forefront of major financial shifts. But despite climbing the corporate ladder, Sherrika knows the toll of relentless deadlines, limited resources, and the weight of expectations—challenges that often leave women feeling stuck and unfulfilled.

Now, as the CEO and Founder of Transform the Gap, Sherrika is on a mission to be the mentor she once needed. She’s dedicated to helping women of color in accounting embrace their God-given purpose, overcome self-doubt, and create balance between faith, family, and career.

In this powerful conversation, Sherrika shares her journey from corporate burnout to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, how she found the courage to step into her calling, and what it takes to break free from limiting beliefs. If you’ve ever felt torn between success and personal fulfillment, this episode is for you!

🔥 Key Takeaways:
✅ Recognizing the signs of burnout and unfulfillment
✅ Overcoming self-doubt and stepping into leadership
✅ How to advocate for yourself and set boundaries
✅ The power of faith in navigating career transitions

📌 Connect with Sherrika Sanders:
🔹 Website: https://www.transformthegaap.com/ 

🔹 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrikasanders/ 

🔹 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrika-sanders-phd

💬 Let us know in the comments: What resonated most with you in this conversation?

Thank you for spending time with me today on the Thrive After 45™ podcast! If this episode spoke to you, be sure to hit that follow button so you never miss one.

And if you loved it, I’d be so grateful if you left a review - it helps more amazing women like you find this show!

Your journey doesn’t stop here - let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with me at denisedrinkwalter.com, and follow @thethriveafter45podcast for daily insp, tips, and support.

Remember, midlife isn’t the end - it’s just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter! Keep thriving, keep shining, and I’ll see you next time!

Transcript

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Hello, hello and welcome to Thrive After 45, the podcast where we redefine the significance of you time because you, for you by you. I am Denise Drink and Midlife renewal coach here to help women embrace their power, purpose, and potential. This show is your space to explore what's possible when you prioritize. You through inspiring conversations, expert insights, and real stories. We'll uncover how to navigate transitions, rediscover joy and thrive inside and out. It is time to let go of guilt and fully embrace the life waiting for you. This is. The Thrive After 45 podcast and it is your time to thrive for you by you because of you. It is an honor and a privilege to introduce and welcome Ika Saunders to Thrive after 45 podcasts, episode two. Today. Ika is a powerhouse in the world of accounting and leadership. With over 15 years of experience guiding accounting teams through high stakes corporate transitions, including mergers, acquisitions, IPOs, and financial restructures. Despite climbing the corporate ladder, she knows firsthand the challenges of unrealistic deadlines. Limited resources and the heavy weight of expectations, challenges that often leave women feeling stuck and unfulfilled. Now as the CEO and founder of Transform the Gap, Sika is on a mission to be the mentor that she once needed. She is dedicated to helping women of color in accounting embrace their God-given purpose, overcome self-doubt, and create balance between faith, family, and career. Through her work, she has already impacted more than 10 lives, guiding them toward transformation and lasting fulfillment. And today we get to dive into her journey, her wisdom and her passion for helping women break barriers and unlock their true potential. Sika, welcome to Thrive after 45. So great to have you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. So happy to be here. Thank you so much for having me, Denise. I am delighted and honored for to be on your second episode. It is a privilege, and let's jump right in and let's talk a little bit about how. This came to pass. How did you come to the realization that not only your story mm-hmm but you could be of service to others. Tell us around what comes up for you when I ask that question. Oh my gosh. Um, it's a big one. It's so many things because honestly, when I was incorporated, if anyone had. Had asked me and they did before, you know, people say, why don't you start your own like side hustle? Or you can do accounting books, you can do all these different things. And I'm like, uh, no corporate employee, W2 till I die. Like. There are people who are not meant to be entrepreneurs. This is my space, this is my safe space. You know, because the security and knowing when you'll get paid and, and you know what's coming in, you know where you're going each day and what that day looks like, but I. Um, it got to a point where it was no longer fulfilling. Hmm. And I thought initially that it was maybe the organization that I worked with because it had become a toxic environment and I'm like, I just need to go somewhere else. And so that's exactly what I did. And I got to the new company and people were great. You know, had a great team. Great. Um. Manager and support there, but it still was just like something's off. And what I realized, a part of my journey that I love the most was my team and helping them and helping them to develop and helping them to get on the right path, whether it was inside or outside of accounting, being that support system for them, the things that they needed. And so I, um, I'm very spiritual. I went on a fast and I'm like, Lord, I need for you to tell like, what is it I'm supposed to do? I didn't think it was entrepreneurship. But I didn't know what it was. I thought he was just, you know, create, show me this divine corporate organization and that would be right. And so you go here and so, but it wasn't, it was entrepreneurship and it was, it was during that time, I have never been so just engulfed by all things entrepreneurship and, and business coaches and all of these things, and I'm like, what? And I'm like, no, it's, it's Sika. It's, remember, it's, you know, but this was the path and it was, I realized that I went through the things that I went through during my time in corporate America, being burned out of initially not knowing how to speak up for myself. Overworked, under recognized. Having to choose or feeling like I had to choose between my success and my family. Mm-hmm. All of those things was so that I could make my misery, my message and help someone else who's in that space right now, you know, you talk about family and I know so many women who are. Feeling like you maybe felt in some, at some degree. We all have our own journey, but feeling that str like, yeah, this is, but this is like you mentioned, this is the paycheck, this is the piece that I, it's coming in consistently. I know what it is. I do it well. Mm-hmm. Hate it. And family is starting to be impacted because of my energy and being Yes. Rained and yes. So. Moving, I'm gonna say parallel. Mm-hmm. Because you went from one corporation to another. Mm-hmm. How long did it take you to go, uh, there's some this I'm seeing and feeling the same stuff. Was it a shorter journey or then the first journey, or what happened there? I don't, have you ever heard the term people say that they hire quickly and fire and take too long to fire? That's kind of how it was with my journey. Like there were signs here and there for a very long time, probably a few years, and I ignored them as something else. Uh, you know, overworked. Oh no. This just, you know's, par for the courts. That's what it means when you are. You want to, you know, go up and when you want that promotion. So I gave myself all of these different excuses to why it made sense. And honestly, my shift, like many peoples for various reasons was during Covid and during Covid we were home and working from home. Um, and it was a few things. One hearing. My family say that, oh, this is the most that we've seen you in a long time. And it was like, oh, really? And then just, I guess not being in the place, in the in surrounded so much from the individuals that I worked with, specifically upper management, I would hear some of the things that they would say to people and it just hit different. Yep. And I would be like, wait, that's not. What, what, why are you, you know, and some of the expectations that they had on some versus others, um, for working at home. And it was just like, I remember going through an interview with someone who was looked like, who looked like me, and she was very professional in her interview. She answered all of our questions and when we interviewed her, they were like, uh, not really sure if she's gonna be a great fit. On the other hand, we interviewed someone who, uh, was a white male who showed up. I don't know if you've seen the commercials with the V-neck T-shirt, that's all. But that's what he had on in the interview. Yeah. And he was like barely able to answer the questions. And after the call, they're like, they basically almost offered him the position on the, on the call. And I'm like, wait, what? What are we doing? And it's just little things like that that started to. I felt like my eyes were being opened to, and so yeah, it did take a while and when I first, when I left to go somewhere else, I thought. Oh, it's not me, it's them, and I just need to get out of this space. But Right. It was a lot of those same things that were still happening. Now, granted a lot of it came into play because throughout my entire 15 plus year career, I worked for private equity and privately held companies. And so one thing about them, they, they're always going through transition. The bottom line is, first and foremost, um, employee value, employee wellness is. Fairly low on the totem pole. Mm-hmm. And so it was like, do you be, are you yourself, do you support your team? Do you speak up for your team or do you just make sure you do what you need to do for you? Which, and I couldn't. That's, that's just not who I am at heart. So, yeah, it, it did take a while though. Probably longer than it should have, but it did. You know, the interesting part is you're sharing your story. I believe this with all my heart that the journey that we take. Has already been laid out, and if we need the nuggets to get a deeper lesson, the nuggets are there. Mm-hmm. So I would say yes, the reason why you're doing what you're doing now is because of the amount of time for you to actually see the errors in the way. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And so tell us more about Transform the Gap. Thank you. What is that, that, so for any of the accounting, any of the accounting and, and finance space, um, know that gap, GAAP is a, well, it's a well known term. It means generally accepted accounting principles. And I wanted something that spoke to transformation, but also to my background in accounting. Um, however, for my business. GAAP gap is goals aligned, achieving purpose, and ultimately I help professional women of color who are still in that corporate space, who are still struggling with burnout, who are still struggling to figure out why they have to choose success or feeling like they have to choose success over family or you know, their. Their, their respect over their fear, um, over their faith. Excuse me. So yeah, helping them to understand how to speak up for themselves, advocate for themselves, know that it's okay because you are in the room, because you're supposed to be in the room. It's not a mistake. You earned it. Nobody gave you anything because a lot of. Organizations will say, oh, we gave you this promotion, we gave you this increase. But oftentimes we know that before we get any of that, we've already been doing the work for an extended period of time, and now they're just trying to level up sometimes not as enough, most times, not enough to make that salary, meet those demands. And so really just helping that person that I was, that I learned how to grow from, and I know it's still there. I still see it and. Really just helping women to align their faith, their family, and their careers for ultimate legacy building success. How does somebody access your brilliance? I. I love the way you phrased that. Uh, it's a couple of different ways. So I'm on LinkedIn, uh, actually I am hosting an event, a free event, a webinar on LinkedIn on April 2nd from, uh, 1:00 PM Eastern to 2:30 PM Eastern. And it's about your, uh, faith versus your fear and both steps and moving forward. Showing you how to move forward in spite of fear and taking hold of your faith. And so I would love, it's a free webinar, so, um, for those listening, I would love to, to have them join in. Um, but so LinkedIn of course, and also my website, transform the gap gaap.com. Um, but I work with women in small group settings, intimate settings. It's our safe space, it's our judgment free zone, um, where we can talk through things, where we can pray together, where we can talk about our faith, where we can talk about our frustrations, where we can really let go, but also learn how to step above that, how to overcome, and so that when those challenges come, because they will always come, we're already guarded and well equipped to deal with those and not feeling like we're being knocked. Back 10 steps every time we take two. Yeah, I love that. I love, I love how you're setting it up in such a way that you're sharing on the LinkedIn, so We'll, if you can make sure I get that, I'll put that in the show notes as well so people can make sure they can jump in there. That would be great. And I love how you do small group, because I find safety and non-judgment. Is really imperative, and I love what you're saying as well, where you share it, but you also prove that that doesn't have to be mm-hmm. Where you stay. Here are some things that can, we can do collectively and individually to move the needle for you by you because of you. Right? Yeah. Yes. I love it. So tell me why Ika. Versus somebody else. Well, I hope that people who hear or who see this episode here or see whichever medium, yeah, my heart, um, this is my passion. This is my purpose, but this was also my pain at some point, and I learned how to overcome it. And so. Sheika. Why Ika? Because Ika has been there. Ika can help you understand, and Ika understands what it's like when you are trying to speak up for yourself. You are feeling like you're being mistreated, but you don't know what to say or you don't know how to say it, or you're feeling like you're being overlooked and you wanna raise your hand, but there's this sense of fear and intimidation, or when you are the only one in that room that looks like you. I have. Been there, done that, and honestly understanding because a lot of people say, well, this is how you do it, and forever you'll be free. We're gonna consistently struggle with various things because as they say, new levels, new devils. But as you are prepared and prepped to reach those new levels, it makes it so much easier and those mountains become mole hills. And so I make it my purpose to walk with you. So not only show you, but also walk with you, be that support system, be that that ear that you need, but also that guidance that you need to mentor you through the next phases of life. So beautiful. So beautiful. Ika. What an honor and a privilege it has been to share this space with you. Really. I can't imagine. What you have gone through in order to do what you are doing now. But I know it was meant to be the way it has unfolded. Mm-hmm. And I am for. Ever grateful for our connection and for the wonderful, wonderful work you are doing for women of color to make sure that they position themselves in their lives in all aspects. Not just the workplace, although that's extremely important. It's not the only piece, and faith and family also have to be number one. So how do we put everything, number one, and put ourselves at the center of all of that without adding the extra stress and strain, right? So, so fantastic. Oh, such a gift. Mm-hmm. I am so honored to share this time and space. Is there anything in particular you would love to share with the audience? As a little closing? You don't have to, but is there any nugget that you were thinking, oh, we didn't touch on this and didn't touch on that, which I'm sure there's lots of buckets, but I will say this, um, because yes, I do work with women of color, but the webinar. It's for women. Uh, beautiful. I help women, so I don't want anyone to feel left out if what I'm saying resonates with you and you feel like I'm speaking with you, but you're like, I, I don't, I'm not a woman of color, and so I'm not sure that Let's have a conversation. Nice. I have, um, if you can book a free call on my site, let's have a conversation. Let's see where we can align. Or if it's just, Hey, I really am struggling with this one thing, well, let's talk through it. Um, there's no obligation to, you know, like buy or work with me or anything like that, but I don't want anyone to feel like this is me, but I can't work with her. Yeah. Oh, thank you for that. That's a great clarification. Really beautiful LinkedIn. April 2nd, um, I can't remember. Was it one one or one 30? 1:00 PM. 1:00 PM Okay. And that's Eastern. Okay, Eastern Standard time. Okay. Okay. We have time zones everywhere. It's like, oh no. What time zone are we? Well, that's perfect. Brilliant. Mm-hmm. Brilliant, brilliant. Thank you once again for being on episode two. Season three, episode two of Thrive after 45. Privilege and pleasure. Um, maybe, maybe in the near future we can have you back and we can dig in a little further and do a little bit of a deeper dive. Absolutely. But for. It has really been an honor and a privilege to share space and conversation with you today. So thank you again for all you do. And for those of you who have not yet subscribed to our podcast stream, we are found on all the podcast platforms, apple, Spotify, and I don't know, there are so many brilliant ones out there, but we are out there and of course on YouTube and today. We did a live stream into LinkedIn, so you never know where we're gonna pop in and meet and greet. But I want you to have a wonderful day and make sure that if you watch the episode today, give us a review and give us some comments. We would love to hear from you. Take care everyone, and keep thriving. Bye.