From Cold Calls to Coffee Bars: How Sara Uy Turned Consistency into a Brand (and a Business)

by Gayle Kalvert

When you think about TikTok, your mind probably doesn’t jump straight to cold calling. But for Sara Uy, what started as an SDR’s way to share her daily grind turned into something much bigger: a personal brand, a loyal following, and eventually, her own company — SellingSara.

I loved having Sara on the Work in Progress podcast because her story is one of those rare blends of courage, creativity, and consistency. And the lessons she’s learned along the way are just as valuable for salespeople as they are for marketers, entrepreneurs, or really anyone trying to stand out in a noisy world.

Finding Her Voice (and Her Audience)

Sara began her career in sales, learning the rhythms of cold calling and quota-chasing like so many of us have. But when she turned the camera on herself and started sharing short, honest takes on TikTok, things changed.

She wasn’t trying to be an influencer. She was simply showing up, day after day, with real stories and advice. And the consistency paid off.

Her videos began to resonate — not because they were polished or perfect, but because they were relatable. Sara was living what she was teaching, and people trusted her for it.

“I didn’t overthink it. I just showed up every day, and eventually, people started paying attention.” – Sara Uy

The Power of Consistency and Confidence

One of Sara’s biggest lessons? Consistency matters more than perfection.

Whether it was posting daily videos, making cold calls, or building her business, Sara leaned into the idea that showing up — even when you don’t feel ready — is the difference-maker.

And yes, that includes showing up on camera. For many professionals, the idea of recording video content feels overwhelming. But Sara breaks it down simply:

Don’t overcomplicate your setup — your phone is enough.
Speak like you’re talking to a friend.
Remember, it’s about connection, not production value.

As she puts it, confidence comes from doing, not waiting.

Edutainment: Where Sales Meets Storytelling

Another theme that stood out in our conversation was Sara’s approach to “edutainment” — blending education and entertainment.

People don’t want to be lectured. They want to learn and enjoy themselves at the same time. Sara mastered that balance on TikTok, and now she brings it into her work with clients.

Her advice: If you’re teaching, keep it simple. Share one idea at a time. And don’t be afraid to have fun with it — humor and personality are what make you memorable.

Coffee, Avicii, and Long Island Pride

Of course, no Work in Progress conversation would be complete without a few personal detours.

Sara revealed her status as a true coffee aficionado — complete with a contractor-built coffee bar in her apartment. Her go-to drink? An iced latte with almond milk, fresh espresso from her trusty Moka pot, and Chobani cookie dough creamer. (Yes, it’s as good as it sounds.)

When I asked about her pump-up song for cold calling, she didn’t hesitate: Wake Me Up by Avicii. And as two Long Island natives, we had to laugh over our shared LIRR roots — though I admitted I’d never heard of All American, a Massapequa burger institution that apparently disqualifies me from my Long Island credentials.

These small details reminded me: the human side is what connects us most.

Building SellingSara

Today, Sara has channeled all that experience into SellingSara, her own training company designed to help salespeople at every level — from new grads to seasoned pros.

What sets her apart? Practicality.

Instead of long bootcamps or heavy methodology, Sara’s workshops are just 60 minutes. They’re built to give reps tactics they can apply immediately and see results within the hour.

It’s not about theory. It’s about action. And that’s exactly what makes her approach so effective.

What We Can Learn from Sara

Whether you’re in sales, marketing, or leadership, Sara’s journey offers a few timeless reminders:

Show up consistently. Growth comes from doing the reps, not waiting for perfect conditions.
Be real. Your audience connects with authenticity more than polish.
Teach simply. One clear idea beats a flood of jargon.
Infuse personality. Coffee habits, favorite songs, hometown pride — these quirks make you memorable.

For me, Sara embodies what Work in Progress is all about: the courage to take risks, the willingness to learn in public, and the joy of building something authentic along the way.

Much love,

Gayle