Meet Sarah Englade of Monarch Talent Solutions

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

Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started Monarch Talent Solutions in 2020, during a time when many people were rethinking their careers and what they wanted their work to look like. For me, that decision came after years in recruiting and realizing that while I loved the people side of the business, I didn’t love how transactional the industry had become.

I had spent my career building relationships with accounting, finance, and HR professionals across Houston, particularly in energy, manufacturing, and industrial environments. What I kept seeing was that candidates and clients were frustrated for the same reason. The process felt rushed, impersonal, and overly focused on volume instead of fit. I knew there was a better way to do it.

So I decided to build it myself.

Monarch Talent Solutions started as a one-woman operation with a very clear focus: senior to C-level direct-hire placements in accounting, finance, and human resources, exclusively in the Houston market. From the beginning, I leaned into specialization rather than scale. I wanted to know my market deeply, build long-term trust, and act as a true partner to both clients and candidates.

The early days were scrappy. I handled everything myself, from business development to recruiting to invoicing, and learned quickly how to run a lean and disciplined business. That hands-on approach allowed me to build something that felt personal and values-driven. I wasn’t trying to be the biggest firm in town. I was focused on being the most trusted.

Over time, Monarch grew organically through referrals and long-term relationships. As clients saw the value in a more consultative approach, the business evolved from primarily contingent searches into more engaged and retained executive search work. Today, I partner with privately held, private equity-backed, and public companies on some of their most critical leadership hires, often during periods of growth, transition, or transformation.

What has remained constant is the philosophy behind the business. Recruitment does not need to be cold or transactional to be effective. It works best when there is transparency, follow-through, and genuine care for the people involved. Monarch was built on the belief that you can be disciplined, strategic, and highly professional while still being relatable and human.

Looking back, I’m proud that Monarch has grown steadily without losing its identity. It is still relationship-driven. It is still Houston-focused. And it is still centered on helping people make confident, meaningful career and business decisions.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting a business in 2020 came with a unique set of challenges, especially in an industry that relies so heavily on relationships, trust, and timing.

One of the biggest struggles early on was building credibility as a solo founder while competing against much larger, well-established firms. I had to be very intentional about proving my value, not through volume, but through quality, follow-through, and consistency. When you’re a one-person operation, there’s no safety net. Every placement matters, and every miss feels personal.

There were also financial and operational challenges. Running a lean business means managing cash flow carefully, wearing every hat, and making decisions without a playbook. Recruiting can be cyclical, and learning how to navigate slow markets, delayed hiring decisions, and unpredictable timelines took discipline and patience.

Another challenge was setting boundaries. Because this is such a relationship-driven business, it’s easy to say yes to everything. Over time, I learned that focus is critical. Not every role is the right role, and not every client is the right client. Saying no was uncomfortable at first, but it was necessary for long-term growth.

Finally, there’s the personal side of entrepreneurship. Building something from the ground up can be isolating at times. Staying motivated, confident, and resilient through uncertainty required a lot of self-trust and adaptability.

That said, each challenge helped shape how Monarch operates today. Those early struggles forced me to be intentional, disciplined, and very clear about my values. They ultimately made the business stronger and more sustainable.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Monarch Talent Solutions is a boutique engaged executive search firm specializing in senior to C-level accounting, finance, and human resources placements, exclusively in the Houston market. I work primarily with privately held, private equity-backed, and public companies across energy, manufacturing, and industrial environments.

Monarch is not a staffing firm. Searches are intentionally run on an engaged basis, which allows for deeper partnership, a more disciplined process, and significantly better outcomes. This structure gives clients dedicated attention, transparency, and accountability throughout the search rather than a high-volume, transactional approach.

What sets Monarch apart is focus. I am intentionally specialized by function, seniority, and geography. Rather than trying to be everything to everyone, I’ve built the business around deep market knowledge, long-term relationships, and a highly consultative approach. Clients come to Monarch when the role truly matters and when they want a thoughtful, well-run search rather than a resume flow.

I’m known for being very hands-on and transparent throughout the process. From intake to offer, both clients and candidates know exactly where things stand. I spend a lot of time upfront aligning on expectations, defining what success actually looks like in a role, and making sure the process respects everyone’s time. That level of clarity leads to better hires and stronger retention.

Another differentiator is how I approach candidates. Many of the leaders I work with are not actively looking. They are high performers who need context, trust, and honest conversations before considering a move. I take that responsibility seriously and focus on long-term career alignment, not quick placements.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Monarch has grown almost entirely through referrals. That tells me the experience people have working with me is consistent and positive. The brand is built on credibility, responsiveness, and follow-through. Recruitment can be disciplined and strategic while still being human, and that philosophy shows up in everything I do.

What I want readers to know is that Monarch Talent Solutions is not a volume-driven business. It is a relationship-driven executive search firm designed to help companies make confident leadership hires and help professionals navigate pivotal career decisions with clarity and trust.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love most about Houston is the people. It’s a relationship-driven city in the best way. Houston is incredibly diverse, entrepreneurial, and welcoming, and people genuinely want to help each other succeed. From a business standpoint, it’s a city where reputation matters. If you show up, follow through, and do good work, people remember and referrals happen naturally.

I also love the breadth of industry here. Energy, manufacturing, industrials, healthcare, logistics, and growing innovation sectors all intersect in Houston. That creates a dynamic business environment and endless opportunity to learn, build, and grow without having to leave the city.

What I like least is probably how spread out everything is. Houston is not an easy city to navigate geographically, and building in-person relationships often requires a lot of time in the car. Traffic is real, and distance can be a challenge, especially when you value face-to-face connection as much as I do.

That said, the size and sprawl are also part of what make Houston what it is. It’s a big city with small-city relationships, and I wouldn’t trade that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://monarchtalentsolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monarchtalenthtx/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/monarch-talent-solutions-llc/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@monarchtalentsolutions
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@monarchtalenthtx