SARA FRANTI
co-founder, Do It For The Love
San Francisco, CA
(or Bali, or a tour bus, depending on the day)
to know Sara Franti is to know that magic is real.
sounds hyperbolic, but hear us out: she’s granted over three thousand wishes for adults, children and veterans who very much need a bright spot in their lives. and: she is a mother. a hotelier. a mentor. and, somehow, a person who lives her life with the kind of practiced intention we strive for every. single. day. here’s how she does it.
tell us about those three thousand wishes — and about Do It For The Love, the nonprofit you created with your husband, Michael Franti.
“we send adults and children living in end-stages of life-threatening illness, children with severe challenges, and wounded veterans to live concerts. it was founded in 2013 when we met a couple named Hope and Steve Dezember. Steve was fighting ALS, and we saw how powerful and meaningful music had been in his healing and also in creating joy in his life. my husband is a musician, and i worked as an ER nurse for 8 years, so the creation of Do It For The Love merged both our passions. and, yes, since its founding we have made over 3000 live music wishes come true.”
that’s incredible. and you’re a mother?
“to a fourteen month old!”
...and a hotelier?
“we own a boutique hotel and yoga retreat called Soulshine Bali.”
...and a mentor?
“you might find me doing a few speaking engagements on my work in leadership. i am excited to be speaking at the Women's March in Napa in January.”
what does a typical day in the life look like? is there such a thing? tell us your secrets.
“at the moment, most of my days (and nights) are focused on running Do It For The Love. because my work is so fluid and always changing, i do not have a typical day — but lately i have had a few non-negotiables that have to fit in each day at some point. taking ten thousand steps a day is one of them. so much of my time is spent on my phone or behind my computer that if i am not mindful of movement i'll only have taken two thousand steps. ten thousand is an achievable number, but one that requires intention to achieve. i'll put my son Taj in his stroller and we will roll. it doesn't happen every day, but it's something i try and do.”
what a great reminder: to set goals within reach. what keeps you moving forward?
“is it cliche to say inspiring others to be their best selves? it truly is what drives me. throughout my entire career as a nurse, my best days were the ones that allowed me to make personal connections that supported my patients in their healing — for them to feel some degree of positivity and belief that they could get through this. the same goes for these days in my work with Do It For The Love. every night i ask myself, ”who did i make feel significant today?” i truly believe we are all out there doing the best we can with the life experiences we have had, and it drives me to see that in people — and to help bring that out.
my son drives me, too: whatever decision i make, the thought of "how would I explain this to Taj" crosses my mind. would i be proud to tell him about my choices? this drives me to be my best self. becoming a mother has been one of my greatest evolutions. i have never felt so strong and sure of myself. i love myself more for the power i hold than ever before.”
we at époque are talking a lot about giving back this holiday season — which you do everyday with your nonprofit.
“giving back has actually been a big part of my life since i was a kid. our family mantra? "be your best. serve the greater good. rock out wherever you are.” serving that which is greater than ourselves is what gives us purpose. what i’ve been able to fully realize is that true giving back is unconditional. the act of service, whatever it is, is done without expectation of return. that's when you get that feel-good feeling deep inside you. you put something or someone else before you because you wanted to and not because you wanted something.”
speaking of that feel-good feeling: how do you give back to yourself, too? (yes, we are talking self care.)
“this is the hardest part for so many, right? in total honesty and transparency, my favorite thing to do after a long, long day is binge watch Bravo TV. with a face mask on. after my ten thousand steps, of course!”
bravo. and, because ‘tis (almost) the season, what will you give the people you love?
“i love sharing things that are special to me. i share Taj's clothes he has outgrown to other mamas i know. when it’s time to retire that favorite skirt or sweater, i'll offer it to a friend hoping they, too, create awesome memories in that piece. sounds silly, doesn't it? i live such a blessed life that sharing it with others is my attempt to show love.”