From Carjacker to Life Lesson: How One Teenager Taught a CEO the Secret of Success
What if I told you that one of the most profound business lessons came not from a boardroom or conference, but from a 15-year-old who attempted to carjack a business consultant? This is the remarkable story that Sarah Victory, CEO of The Victory Company and international bestselling author, shared on the Turbo Branding Podcast—and it perfectly encapsulates the philosophy that has driven her to help companies double their revenue.
The Unexpected Teacher
After attending what she describes as “the best party ever” in California, Sarah was driving home at 3 AM along Pacific Coast Highway when a figure emerged from the bushes. What started as a terrifying carjacking attempt quickly transformed into something entirely different when Sarah realized her “carjacker” was actually a crying teenager who had just escaped an FBI raid on his parents’ meth lab.
During their drive to Anaheim, Sarah discovered that 15-year-old Ricky had been in and out of foster care, had nowhere to go, and felt completely hopeless about his future. Instead of focusing on her own fear, Sarah did what she does best—she became a consultant, asking Ricky what he wanted from life if he could “sprinkle fairy dust” over his situation.
His answer? He wanted to work on old motorcycles, making them “cherry” (translation for us older folks: really good). More importantly, he knew exactly what steps he needed to take: call a social worker who believed in him, get into special housing, and enroll in a technical school.
The Million-Dollar Insight
Weeks later, Sarah received a call that Ricky had done exactly what he said he would. He’d gotten into the special school, secured housing, and was working on motorcycles. But the real treasure came in his parting message: “The secret of life is you do something brave every day.”
This teenager’s wisdom became the foundation of Sarah’s speaking career and business philosophy. “Do Something Brave Every Day” isn’t just a catchy slogan—it’s the mindset that transformed her from a solo consultant into the CEO of a thriving international company that helps businesses scale rapidly.
From Speaker to Global Business Builder
Sarah’s journey from individual consultant to running a full-service growth company illustrates her own daily acts of bravery. When a British client with a $75 million business wanted to double her revenue, Sarah could have stuck to her traditional consulting approach. Instead, she took the brave step of completely reimagining how to position the company.
The problem wasn’t infrastructure—this client was “99% flawless” in that regard. The issue was visibility and messaging. Sarah discovered they were trying to sell what they thought clients “should want” instead of what clients actually wanted.
“People only want what they want,” Sarah explains. “Once you’re in the door and you’re their trusted advisor, then you can say ‘you should want these other things and here’s why.'”
By focusing on what the client’s prospects truly desired and leveraging the company’s existing thought leaders, Sarah helped them secure contracts with Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Quaker. The result? They went from $75 million to $156 million in six and a half weeks.
The Evolution of a Brand
What’s particularly fascinating about Sarah’s story is how she evolved from being “Sarah Victory the speaker” to “The Victory Company.” This transition required what she calls “the most terrifying moment of my life”—realizing she needed to become the leader her growing team deserved.
The expansion happened organically through what she describes as “intrapreneurial” team members who identified gaps in the market. Her Chief Results Officer, Leslie, recognized that every client needed talented staff but couldn’t find them domestically or afford them at U.S. rates. By sourcing top talent from the Philippines, they created a solution that benefited everyone involved.
Soon, clients were asking for “a Leslie” or “a Jamie,” leading to the development of fractional services—CFOs, CEOs, creative teams, and specialized staff who could be hired by the hour, project, or as full-time placements.
The Daily Brave Acts That Built an Empire
Sarah’s success stems from consistently taking brave actions:
- Listening beyond the obvious: When clients say they need one thing, she digs deeper to understand what they actually want most and can justify easiest.
- Building unexpected partnerships: Her network of fractional executives and international talent didn’t happen overnight—it developed through years of connecting people and solving problems.
- Evolving her role: Moving from solo consultant to “Chief Visionary Officer” required admitting she needed to grow as a leader.
- Taking on bigger challenges: Each client success led to larger, more complex projects that stretched her capabilities.
The Lesson for Every Business Owner
Ricky’s insight about doing something brave every day isn’t about reckless risk-taking. It’s about consistently pushing beyond your comfort zone in meaningful ways. For business owners, this might mean:
- Having honest conversations with clients about what they truly want versus what you think they need
- Investing in infrastructure before you think you’re ready
- Building a team that can deliver solutions you can’t provide alone
- Positioning your company based on external perception rather than internal assumptions
Sarah’s story demonstrates that the most profound business insights often come from unexpected sources. A teenager who had lost everything understood something that many successful executives miss: growth requires daily acts of courage.
Whether you’re trying to double your business, expand internationally, or simply make your next hire, ask yourself: what’s the brave thing you need to do today?
Based on Sarah Victory’s appearance on the Turbo Branding Podcast. To hear the full conversation including Sarah’s incredible story and journey to success, listen to the episode here. To learn more about Sarah Victory’s approach to business growth, visit TheVictoryCompany.com or listen to The Inspiring Victory Show podcast.