By: Elena Mart
Katie-Beth Schultz is redefining business consulting by treating entrepreneurship as an art form, helping small business owners choreograph their success with intention and authenticity
In the world of business consulting, where data-driven strategies and rigid frameworks often take center stage, Katie-Beth Schultz moves to a different rhythm. As founder and CEO of The Sunburst Strategies Co., she brings the discipline of a professional dancer, the heart of an artist, and the practical wisdom of a small business owner to help entrepreneurs compose their own success stories.
“I think that everyone who has the idea for a small business and then has the guts to follow through and create something from nothing… is nothing short of an artist,” Schultz reflects, her words carrying the weight of someone who has performed on both literal and metaphorical stages. This perspective isn’t just philosophy—it’s the foundation of a consulting approach that’s transforming how small businesses navigate their growth.
An Unexpected Pivot
Schultz’s journey to business consulting began in dance studios and on stages, where she honed her craft as a professional dancer. Like many artists, she took what she calls a “day job” at a small boutique to support her performing career. What started as a means to an end became an unexpected education in business fundamentals, from e-commerce to marketing, from vendor relations to customer service.
“I got my degree in dance performance, but I really got my degree in business and life and people over the past 10-15 years,” she says. This parallel education would prove invaluable, though its true worth wouldn’t become clear until life threw her a series of unexpected turns.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, Schultz was pregnant with her first child. The world of performing arts ground to a halt, and like many others, she found herself reevaluating everything. “If the pandemic and having a child taught me anything,” she reflects, “it’s that life is too short to spend time doing anything other than what I love and spending it with the people that matter most.”
Choreographing Business Success
What emerged from this period of reflection was The Sunburst Strategies Co., a consulting firm that approaches business growth with the same blend of creativity, discipline, and intentionality that defines a dancer’s practice. But Schultz’s approach differs markedly from traditional consulting firms that often prescribe one-size-fits-all solutions.
“Most of the time, the small business owner already knows what it is they want,” she explains, “they just might be too scared to admit it because the dream is too big or scary or weird.” Her role, as she describes it, is part strategist, part therapist, helping entrepreneurs uncover and embrace their authentic vision while providing the practical tools to achieve it.
This approach resonates particularly with creative entrepreneurs and small business owners who feel alienated by traditional business consulting. Schultz’s clients find in her someone who understands both the practical challenges of running a business and the emotional investment of pursuing a dream.
The Myth of Balance
Perhaps most revolutionary is Schultz’s rejection of the traditional work-life balance paradigm. “There is no such thing as ‘work-life balance,'” she asserts. “ALL OF IT IS LIFE! Life is this beautiful canvas that we get to paint on over and over again, and there are never going to be these hard and fast lines separating this from that.”
This philosophy manifests in how she helps clients approach their businesses. Rather than compartmentalizing business strategies from personal goals, Schultz advocates for intentional integration. She helps entrepreneurs create systems and strategies that acknowledge the full spectrum of their lives, from family commitments to creative pursuits to business objectives.
Democratizing Business Success
The Sunburst Strategies Co. offers multiple entry points for business owners at different stages of their journey. From free resources and tools to comprehensive consulting services, Schultz has deliberately structured her business to be accessible to entrepreneurs at every level.
“No matter where a small business owner, entrepreneur or creative person is on their life and business journey, we want to be able to help them along the way,” she explains. This commitment to accessibility extends from her downloadable templates and guides to her personalized consulting services, ensuring that quality business guidance isn’t limited to those with enterprise-level budgets.
The Future Performance
Looking ahead, Schultz’s vision for The Sunburst Strategies Co. continues to expand. Her mission to help entrepreneurs “uncover the desires of their heart” while building sustainable, successful businesses is resonating with a growing audience. She sees each client’s journey as a unique performance, worthy of its own choreography and staging.
“The journey to what you want may not be easy,” she acknowledges, “but I just want people to know that it IS easy to make the choice to live/let your business live to its greatest potential. All you have to do is say yes.”
In a business world that often forces entrepreneurs to choose between creativity and pragmatism, Katie-Beth Schultz is proving that the most compelling success stories emerge when we embrace both. Through The Sunburst Strategies Co., she’s helping small business owners dance their way to success, one intentional step at a time.
Published by Stephanie M.
