Meet Sarah Estes of the Yard Card Queen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Estes.

Hi Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
After a difficult divorce ten years ago, having been a stay at home mom for 12 years, I had no higher education or recent employment history. I soon found myself evicted and living in homeless shelters. I got a job as a cashier for $6.50 an hour. It was the best and only offer I could find. As proud of myself as I was for finding employment quickly and as hard as I worked, I still couldn’t afford daycare or housing. After staying the maximum at each facility available for women and families, I hit an all-time low when I found myself standing at a bus stop, in a snowbank in Omaha, Nebraska, holding my youngest daughter, starving and nowhere else to go. I was born in Houston, Texas, but my marriage had taken me to Nebraska. I swallowed my pride, called my family and told them I couldn’t survive on my own. They sent for us and welcomed us into their home until we got on our feet. I vowed that I would make something of myself and It was important to me to become independent so we would never be in this situation again even! Even after I met my new, sweet husband, I still wanted to be able to take care of myself and my kids no matter what. I worked 40-50 hours a week for five years and would drive for DoorDash in the evenings so we could finally get a place of our own! I worked my way up from cashier, to working on the salesfloor, to promoting to HR, and now to a team lead position at a well-known retail establishment. I attend online school at Lonestar Community College and am almost finished with my Associate in applied sciences. I love school and will probably never be “done” with my education. My family finally had everything we needed but not much room for anything extra like furniture or gifts or celebrations. I spent most of my life feeling like I didn’t have much to offer. I could never actually do something I really enjoyed. The management position I was in helped me see that I can do a lot more than I thought I could! I was learning so much and doing really well with sales, marketing, inventory, making creative and innovative strides to make a huge change in the way we used to operate!

All of a sudden, in the middle of so much, I had some very real health complications that had me hospitalized for the better part of three months, on leave from work. Six surgeries later, unable to eat, on a feeding bag and very weak, I tested positive for covid. My surgeon had unknowingly given it to me. I was too weak to move and isolated. Once again, I hit an all-time low! We didn’t know if I would get through this, and the next step was to completely remove my stomach and attach my intestines to my esophagus. I was terrified, angry, depressed and hopeless. My husband’s store closed due to covid. The pandemic happened after I woke up from surgery the 2nd time. It was unbelievable! I found the strength to pray that I would get better and once again be victorious and when I was, I would never take one moment of my healthy days with my family for granted. I stopped going to the doctors and took my health into my own hands. I did some research and decided to try a liquid diet that helps with inflammation. Amazon became my best friend! I ordered a huge amount of liquid vitamins, and I made myself get up and walk, 1st downstairs, then around the cul de sac, then down the street.I started getting better! I could hold soft foods down! I got stronger and although I was still on liquids and had to take it slow, I went back to work. Medical bills started to roll in by the thousands, and I had lost quite a bit of my pay. We were struggling, and I now found myself crying in the laundry room, wanting to trust God but also not sure how we were going to make it.

One day, I woke up and saw a business opportunity and thought, why not me?? I finally feel really great about my abilities and I think I could do this! Why not dare to dream?? I could be a business owner! I gathered up every last dime I had and invested in a franchise opportunity with Yard Card Queen. A business that provides unique and personalized yard greetings for any special occasion! I loved celebrating the simple things in life, and I had learned that EVERY moment counts because it could very well be your last. I had become so grateful to GET the opportunity to purchase food for my family. I hadn’t been able to celebrate mother’s day, my birthday, my husband’s birthday, because I was literally too sick to move, let alone eat or drink. Why not help others celebrate now?? Why not help put a smile on someone’s face? The 1st two weeks, I thought, uh-oh I made a mistake! Then I started getting orders! I worked 13-15 hour days between my day job and my new business. I earned my investment back in less than a month! We are to the point where we have a real opportunity to finally earn a little extra now! I HONESTLY love serving my community!!! Dreams really do come true, and I can say without a doubt that you won’t get a more personal and guest-centric experience with anyone else! Whatever you’ve envisioned, I will make come to fruition! Because it means the world to me!

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We were getting on our feet while starting over. Getting our business name out there and set ourselves apart from the competition. Health challenges and setbacks. Finances.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a manager at a well known retail establishment as well as a business owner at Yard Card Queen of The Woodlands. I specialize in making your next celebration the best it can be! I love to create and deliver a personal touch to each celebratory surprise! I’m proud of my work ethic. I will never settle with the minimum expectation!

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love making people smile! And I love getting to know them even more! I’ve met some of the most wonderful people and heard all of their stories, and I feel so grateful to get to be a small part of their biggest days!

Pricing:

• $75 for most Yard Greetings

Contact Info:

• Email: sarahestes36@gmail.com
• Website: Www.yardcardqueen.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/YCQTheWoodlands
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/YCQTheWoodlands