Sarah Otto, a Houston-based entrepreneur, is making waves in the permanent jewelry industry with her passion for jewelry design and teaching others. Through her permanent jewelry training program, LINKED, she is empowering aspiring business professionals to master the craft of permanent jewelry and establish their own companies. With her dedication and passion for helping others, Sarah is making an impact on the industry and the lives of her students.
Where it started
In 2015, Sarah founded The Adair — where she offers beauty services and her teachings — and this was the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey. Through The Adair, she discovered her passion for teaching and helping other women like herself find their own passions and sense of independence. After the success of The Adair, Sarah felt a calling to expand her impact and support other women on a larger scale. She also wanted to find a way to establish better financial security, not just for herself, but also for her family,
Thus, in 2022, Sarah created LINKED, and what started as a goal of financial security turned into so much more as the company took off and Sarah found immense financial success and freedom. She started the company in her own house on the outskirts of Houston, with poor internet, limited resources, and a brand new team, and was able to establish LINKED as a multi-million dollar company.
As Sarah had previous experience in the beauty space, the reason she created a training program that specifically trains students to make and sell permanent jewelry is that she saw the demand for this sustainable and trendy style of jewelry. According to LINKED’s research, “permanent jewelry” has over 200 million views on TikTok, over 25,000 hashtags on Instagram, and a 552% increase in Google searches. Permanent jewelry is a popular trend among Gen Zers, and Sarah knew she needed to educate entrepreneurs on the craft.
The Mission
The mission of LINKED is to “help all walks of life implement the skills we are giving them to create financial freedom or scale existing businesses.” She has felt inspired by her own success with LINKED and wants to help other women do the same.
Sarah is determined to level the playing field through her expertise and providing the resources and platform other women need for success. She recognizes the challenges women face in establishing themselves in leadership positions, and hopes to break down barriers and foster a supportive community of female entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in the jewelry industry.
LINKED is for everyone
LINKED is a permanent jewelry training program for people of all experience levels in the jewelry industry because it provides students with all resources, a clear handbook, and virtual training classes. In the program, students learn about the types of metals used to make permanent jewelry, as well as skills like welding, and how to size and accessorize pieces. Students with all ranges of experience in the business world can learn from the LINKED program, as it teaches students how to establish and run their own companies.
Sarah’s impact goes beyond just teaching jewelry crafting and business skills. She hopes to be a positive role model for her fellow women, showing them they can pursue their dreams and achieve financial independence in historically male-dominated industries. Sarah prides herself on creating a supportive and inclusive environment where women can connect, collaborate, and uplift one another. Even beyond a professional level, Sarah takes an investment in her students’ lives and goals, fostering a meaningful relationship with them and helping them achieve success.
“My students are not just students to me, they are people with personal lives, and I try my best to support them in all areas of their lives,” says Sarah. “I have had students who are single moms looking for a way to establish a secure income while also spending time with their children, and I have worked closely with them to ensure their success.”
Making an impact
LINKED currently has over a thousand students, and Sarah plays a significant role in mentoring all of them. The students pay once for the training program and receive all profits from the jewelry they sell. Sarah wanted to ensure that she provided her students with the toolbox for success, and then her students become the complete CEOs of their own companies. It is up to the students to determine their own success based on how they take advantage of the guidance and materials.
One of Sarah’s passions is to ensure that her work is particularly relevant to the local Texas community where she lives. The vibrant arts and crafts scene and rich history of entrepreneurship in Texas — particularly Houston — have fostered the success of many local businesses, including Sarah’s.
While many of LINKED’s students are all over the world, Sarah’s efforts are not only transforming individual lives, but also creating a positive ripple effect that extends to the entire community. LINKED was started in Sarah’s home in Houston, and she has been able to grow her base and support with seven local employees
Sarah’s dedication to empowering women goes beyond LINKED, as she participates in community initiatives and events promoting female entrepreneurship and supporting local artisans. Among these activities are frequent speaking engagements at conferences, workshops, and networking events, where she shares her experiences and insights to inspire fellow entrepreneurs.
“I want to share my story with others, so they can feel inspired to take a leap of faith and trust themselves as business professionals and craftsmen of permanent jewelry,” says Sarah. “I started LINKED from nothing and now have an amazing team of employees and thousands of students finding financial success.”
