HI MY NAME IS… Sarah Duncan
I’VE LIVED IN ARIZONA FOR… 46 years. It is the perfect place for me to live because I love all our natural wonders and the laid-back people and atmosphere here in the Valley!
PERSONAL BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS… I was born and raised in Phoenix, and I am a fourth-generation Arizonan. I attended Santa Clara University in the Bay area and lived in Portland, Oregon for a few years before moving back to the Valley to be near my family. I am an avid tennis player. I played at Xavier College Preparatory (class of 1996), on my college team and the Junior National Circuit. I have a passion for travel and have been extremely fortunate to travel throughout North and South America, Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Australia. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, scuba diving, running, reading and spending time with family and friends.
BUSINESS NAME AND LOCATION… The Beau Collective is a unique fitness, retail and social flex space located at 5115 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. Anticipated to open in summer 2025, this will be the perfect “third space” for Valley residents to build community and have fun. Visit www.thebeaucollectivephx.com/ for more.
WHAT I DO… This summer, I will run day-to-day operations for the Phoenix location of The Beau Collective. The 6,600 square-foot Phoenix-area building will be home to HIIT-style training classes, one-of-a-kind retail shopping as well as a place for community and connection. There is a private room perfect for intimate business meetings, personal growth sessions, community workshops and inspirational and social connections. The business has been flourishing in Park City, Utah for the past 10 years and was the brainchild of one of my best friends and classmates from Xavier College Prep.
WHAT I LIKE MOST ABOUT DOING BUSINESS HERE… Even though Maricopa County is one of the largest counties in the country, there is still the feeling of a small town in the business community. People are genuinely willing to help each other out, share ideas and provide support and advice.
WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT AND WHY… I am extremely excited for The Beau Collective to open this summer and for the “third place” that will soon be available for all to come and shop, work out and gather.
A TYPICAL DAY IN MY LIFE INCLUDES… A meditation and hike in the morning before work, connecting with fosters to check in on how the rescue animals are doing and usually an evening run with one of the local run clubs in Phoenix.
MY FAMILY IS… big and so much fun! My extended family, including my grandparents who are in their 90s, my 11 aunts and uncles and 14 cousins (plus all their kids), still get together for the holidays.
ONE THING I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT… Getting outside in nature every day to reset and enjoy the peace and serenity of our beautiful Valley surroundings.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I WANTED TO BE… a veterinarian. Since I was young, I have always wanted to help animals.
THE ONE PERSON WHO MOTIVATES ME… Jane Goodall for her inspirational work with animal studies, conservation efforts and animal welfare issues.
THE LAST THING THAT MADE ME LAUGH OUT LOUD WAS… my silly rescue puppy Koa who gets into all sorts of mischief and is very dramatic.
THE PERFECT DAY… is hiking with friends and Koa in one of our gorgeous mountain ranges in Arizona.
MY FAVORITE LOCAL NONPROFIT IS… the Arizona Humane Society and Caring for Canines, a non-profit 501©3 animal rescue organization I started in 2003. We rescue dogs off of the euthanasia list at shelters throughout the state as well as take in animals from people who can no longer care for their pets.
THE BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED WAS… a trip after college graduation to Paris with one of my best friends from high school. This adventure inspired my love of travel and experiencing new cultures.
MY DREAM VACATION WOULD BE…Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with a safari to follow.
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED… is to find joy and laughter in the small things in everyday life.