They say the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. Fortunately, my guest on C-Suite Success, Sarah Young, has not only mastered the intricacies of taxes but transformed accounting, financial strategy, and entrepreneurship into powerful opportunities for growth and impact.
Sarah is the CEO and co-founder of Premier Business Services, a company she launched in 2015 that has quickly become a go-to partner for businesses seeking financial clarity and smart tax strategies. With more than two decades of experience spanning retail banking, agriculture, utilities, and property management, she brings expertise that goes far beyond balancing the books. Together with her husband and business partner, Mike, Sarah has also built an impressive portfolio that includes real estate ventures, aligned business development initiatives, and utility companies—making her not just a financial expert but a true entrepreneurial force.
What I loved most in our conversation was how candid Sarah was about her journey. Like so many of us, she began her business with her head down, grinding away, believing that success was measured in long hours, endless hustle, and keeping clients happy at all costs. But as she shared, burnout soon hit, and her perspective shifted dramatically.
From Hustle to Empowerment
Sarah realized that real success isn’t just about what you achieve personally. She realized success was about empowering others to thrive alongside you. “If we’re all doing great, we’re all doing great,” she told me. That mindset shift changed everything for her business, her team, and her clients.
Instead of chasing surface-level markers of success – for some that’s the big house or the fancy office — Sarah and Mike began focusing on the happiness and fulfillment of the people around them. Success became about building teams where employees weren’t just working jobs but pursuing goals that mattered to them, inside and outside the office.
This people-first leadership approach has become central to her philosophy. As Sarah put it, “Employees aren’t just a number. They’re not there to serve your needs — they’re there to pursue their own goals and be the best version of themselves.”
Trusting the Gut and Letting Go
One of the most powerful parts of our conversation was Sarah’s honesty about the hardest lessons she’s had to learn as a CEO. Delegation, for example, doesn’t come easily to entrepreneurs who feel they must touch every part of their business. Sarah admits she had to accept that “80 percent done is still great” and that it’s better to empower a team member and build safeguards than to cling to every task herself.
Even harder? Learning when to let go of employees or clients who simply weren’t the right fit. For Sarah, this lesson was a game-changer. She shared how trying to force people into roles that don’t suit them (or keeping clients who drain energy instead of adding value) holds everyone back. “It’s not just about you,” she said. “Sometimes, keeping someone on means you’re preventing them from finding something that truly brings them joy.”
She also stressed the importance of trusting your gut. Data and KPIs matter, of course, but when there’s a nagging feeling that something is ‘off,’ leaders ignore it at their peril. Sarah described the immediate, almost physical shift in her office when a toxic employee finally left: the atmosphere lifted, the team united, and productivity surged.
Disruption Through Outsourcing
Sarah also spoke passionately about disruption and rethinking how businesses operate day to day. She challenges the assumption that everything must be done in-house to be effective. Outsourcing, whether in accounting, IT, or marketing, can actually be a strategic advantage.
By leveraging outside expertise, companies can save money, stay agile, and access specialized knowledge without the weight of full-time hires. And Sarah doesn’t just talk the talk – she walks the walk in her own businesses. Her approach proves that outsourcing isn’t a cost burden but an investment in excellence.
Over-Delivery and Communication
Of course, outsourcing or delegating only works when the standards remain high. For Sarah, that means instilling a culture of over-delivery. “If you feel like you’re just nailing it, it’s not enough,” she explained. For her, delivering financial statements isn’t the end—it’s adding commentary, asking questions, anticipating needs, and going the extra step to ensure clients feel seen and supported.
Equally important is communication. Sarah and her team invest time in understanding how each client and employee prefers to communicate. Some want detailed updates daily; others prefer space with only occasional check-ins. Matching styles and expectations ensures trust, efficiency, and satisfaction.
Always Learning, Always Growing
Perhaps what inspires me most about Sarah is her commitment to growth — not just financial, but personal and professional. She shared how she’s been focusing on understanding her team’s motivations and helping them set personal, professional, and financial goals. Some employees are driven by more family time, others by financial milestones, and still others by opportunities to learn and grow. Sarah sees it as her responsibility as a leader to meet them where they are.
And she’s not afraid to revisit these conversations regularly. As teams evolve, so must leadership strategies. This adaptability—combined with her love for strategy and innovation—keeps her businesses dynamic and resilient.
A Playbook for Lasting Impact
What struck me most in this interview is that Sarah embodies what C-Suite Success is all about. She’s built her expertise. She’s leveraged strategy and data. But most importantly, she’s anchored her leadership in people.
Her story reminds us that success is not just about profits and growth charts. Success is also measured by creating environments where employees, clients, and leaders thrive together. It’s about trusting your instincts, empowering others, and having the courage to let go when something or someone isn’t aligned.
For any CEO or entrepreneur, Sarah’s insights are a powerful reminder: lasting legacies are built not just on financial clarity, but on people-first leadership, resilience, and the courage to redefine what success really means.
Watch all the incredible insights on C-Suite TV. If you prefer listening to podcasts, check out the full episode on C-Suite Radio.
