Resilience is a vital trait that shapes personal and professional success. In Part 1 of her incredible story and testimony of resilience, Sharon Beach shares her journey from a challenging childhood to an accomplished professional career, offering lessons on the importance of community, mindset, and perseverance. Her story is an inspiring testament to how resilience, paired with faith and determination, can transform life’s obstacles into opportunities.

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You can listen to this conversation with Sharon on our podcast, Work, Love, Pray! Listen below or click here to find your preferred listening platform.

How did resiliency show up for you in childhood and adolescence?

Sharon:
Resiliency became a part of my life early on. I grew up in a tough environment. My parents divorced when I was 10, and my mother, while loving, didn’t have the natural maternal skills to guide us through. My sister and I relied on the kindness of our community—walking across backyards to catch rides to church and events—and we started working young. I began mowing lawns at 10, not for luxuries, but for necessities like school clothes.

Our mother instilled in us the value of education. She encouraged us to aim for a better life by pursuing college, and my sister, a cousin, and I became the first in our family to earn degrees. That early determination taught me to face challenges head-on. I decided to deal with my circumstances and work toward solutions, rather than make excuses.

How did your community influence your resilience?

Sharon:
Community played a massive role in my resilience. Growing up in a small northeast Texas town with a population of around 5,000, I learned the importance of looking out for one another. That’s one of the blessings of rural life—you develop a close-knit support system.

My grandmothers were also pivotal. They provided spiritual guidance and taught us the values of faith and perseverance. Their influence shaped my outlook and gave me the strength to overcome challenges.

How has resilience played a role in your professional success?

Sharon:
To me, resilience is a mindset. Early on, I decided I didn’t want to be a victim of my circumstances. I didn’t want to stay in my small town and follow the same path my parents had. Instead, I envisioned a different life and worked hard to make it happen.

That determination carried into my career. After earning my degrees at Texas A&M, I worked with a feed company and later joined Merck in the animal health division. I aligned deeply with Merck’s values and enjoyed a fulfilling 25-year career there, even switching to the human health division at one point.

Resilience came into play when facing challenges such as difficult managers, team members, or clients. You learn to adapt, problem-solve, and focus on solutions. Resilience also helped me when I transitioned to working with a private equity investment firm. Collaborating with partners often meant navigating differing viewpoints, but resilience allowed me to prioritize the work and maintain professional relationships.

What mindset do you believe fosters resilience?

Sharon:
Resilience starts with a choice. Do you want to remain a victim of your circumstances, or do you want to rise above them? For me, it was about creating a mindset of perseverance and problem-solving.

I learned to tackle challenges head-on, figure out solutions, and pivot when necessary. For example, if Plan A didn’t work, I’d move on to Plan B. That approach was deeply rooted in my faith, as I believed God had given me the strength and innate drive to succeed.

Watching others achieve things I couldn’t as a child motivated me to create a better life for myself. That drive carried over into every part of my life, including my career. Being in sales, for example, requires a certain toughness, especially as a woman. Resilience became second nature in managing relationships, handling setbacks, and striving for success.

How has resilience shaped your current path?

Sharon:
After 25 years at Merck and seven years in private equity, I felt God calling me toward a new chapter. That decision required resilience, as stepping away from something familiar isn’t easy. However, I trusted the path ahead and embraced the opportunities it brought.

Resilience taught me to be adaptable and open to change. Whether it was navigating professional relationships, managing personal challenges, or making life-altering decisions, resilience allowed me to focus on growth and keep moving forward.

Sharon Beach has a diverse background ranging from a 25-year pharmaceutical career, animal & human health, to being a founder and partner of a private equity investment company.  During her 25 years with Merck & Co, she annually received leadership awards, served on national task force committees while focusing on sales and managerial roles.  From 2018 – 2021 her business partner with McAlister Assets and she raised $165M for their private equity investment funds from an investor base consisting of institutional, family office, international investors, foundation, endowment, high net worth individuals and scholarship investment funds.  

In 2024, Sharon stepped away from McAlister Assets to focus on a couple of special projects. 

Sharon’s true love is agriculture and on her small ranch in Parker County, Texas she produces hay and raises horses.  She actively competes with her horses across the country in the National Cutting Horse Association events and is active with the governance of the association serving as a Director for 10 years and chairing the Long Range Planning and Governance Committees for 9.  She is native Texan and a proud Texas A&M Aggie.

Sharon’s hobbies include travel, hunting, snow skiing and reading.