We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sarah Sagredo-Hammond. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Sarah, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Right now, a “normal” day is anything but ordinary—it’s a blend of structure and spontaneity. My mornings start with prayer (and coffee, lots of coffee), and from there it’s a mix of strategy, service, and solving things no one warned me about in leadership school. Some days I’m in heels at a conference, other days I’m in sneakers handling plumbing emergencies. It’s chaos, it’s purpose-driven, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. After coffee, before diving into work across multiple roles: leading my company, fulfilling board responsibilities, and mentoring women in trades and business. I split my day between strategic planning, community initiatives, and addressing the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. No two days look the same, but what grounds me is purpose—knowing that every meeting, every challenge, and every win is part of something bigger than myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Sarah Hammond—serial board member, trade industry evangelist, and a firm believer that leadership and lip gloss can go hand in hand. I run a legacy HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and pest control company (I know, it’s a mouthful), while also building Intently Be, a platform that empowers women to own their story and their seat at the table. I’ve been called “a force,” which I take as a compliment, even when it’s whispered. Whether I’m speaking on stage or knee-deep in ductwork, everything I do comes back to one goal: helping people—especially women—build lives they’re proud of.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I knew the world saw me differently the day a man asked, “Can I talk to the guy in charge?” while I was holding blueprints and leading the meeting. That moment didn’t break me—it built me. It reminded me that shaking the table sometimes means people will question if you belong at it. But once I stopped asking for permission and started owning my space, everything changed. Now I bring my OWN table and chairs, snacks, and a whole networking strategy.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
It happened somewhere between being underestimated in a boardroom and crying in my car between meetings. I got tired of pretending I had it all together. The truth is, my pain taught me more than any success ever did. So I stopped hiding it. I started showing up as the whole version of me—messy, bold, healing, growing—and that’s when people really started listening. Turns out, power doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from owning every chapter, even the ones you prayed no one would ever read.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
In the trades, fads show up like “quick-fix” tools—flashy, untested, and gone by next season. Foundational shifts are more like rewiring a system—they take time, but they change everything. Years ago, someone pitched me a trendy tech gadget that promised to “revolutionize” HVAC diagnostics. It looked impressive—but it didn’t stand up to a week in the field. Meanwhile, investing in hands-on training for my team wasn’t flashy, but it built confidence, skill, and loyalty that we still see today.
My faith helps me pause and discern. I ask myself: is this solving a real problem, or just creating noise? I pray on it, look at the fruit it’s producing, and trust that anything aligned with purpose—not just popularity—will stand the test of time.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they say I didn’t just build businesses—I built people. That I showed up with my whole heart, even when it would’ve been easier not to. That I made rooms feel warmer, braver, more possible. That I wasn’t afraid to lead with faith and kindness, even when the world rewarded something else.
I want them to say I broke ceilings without bitterness, carried my community with me, and opened doors wider for the next woman in line. That I left behind more than success—I left behind belief. In yourself. In purpose. In the quiet power of showing up when no one’s watching.
I hope my daughters—three strong, wildly different, and deeply loved girls—say that I showed them what it means to live with intention. That Intently Be wasn’t just a name, but a way of life: be present, be bold, be kind, be who God called you to be. That I didn’t just tell them to believe in themselves—I proved it by believing in them first.
And maybe, just maybe, they’ll say: “She lived with grit, grace, and a little sparkle.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.atlasrgv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_atlasrgv/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-hammond-atlas/
- Twitter: https://x.com/AtlasRGV
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ATLASRGV
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Atlasrgvcool / https://www.youtube.com/@WhatYouDontSeePodcast / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o6Vnx-Nwc4
