Natalie Sist | CEO and President | Planet Starz, Inc.
Natalie Sist is the CEO and President of PlanetStarz, Inc., an S-Chapter corporation based in Bluffton, SC. Planetstarz (https://planetstarz.com) is an innovative website offering supportive information and guidance to people around the world. The platform includes top-notch counselors (https://starzpsychics.com), a weekly podcast with notable guests (https://blogtalkradio.com/starzcast) an ezine (https://mysticlivingtoday.com) and a blog (https://starzpsychics.com/blog) that covers various current topics. Natalie aims to spread positivity and help people find answers to their life questions through these resources. Natalie was born and raised in Michigan, where she discovered her talent for listening and coaching at a young age. In her twenties, she realized her passion for understanding people and addressing personal losses. Once computers came into her life, she began by volunteering on an online site and eventually created her own platform to offer better support. This venture grew into what PlanetStarz is today. At EliteX, we are proud to have Natalie Sist as part of Elite League of Business Leaders, 2024.
“Embrace challenges, focus on your strengths, and don’t be afraid to be different—this is the path to true leadership.”
The primary focus of PlanetStarz is to provide valuable self-help content and counseling services. The uniqueness of the business lies in its extensive network of expert advisors and contributors and its commitment to delivering high-quality, inspirational content. What started as a simple e-zine, Mystic Living Today has expanded into a comprehensive resource for people seeking stability and guidance. Natalie’s leadership role was inspired by the positive feedback and encouragement from her site’s users and staff. The praise she received for her efforts motivated her to challenge larger competitors and strive for excellence in the industry. Surrounded by positivity, she embraced leadership and continued to build her organization.
One of the most significant challenges Natalie faced was managing time. The slow pace of progress was a tough adjustment for someone used to quick results. Although she has not completely overcome this challenge, she has learned to appreciate the value of patience and the benefits of allowing time for a better end product. Among her proudest moments is finding the right people to help advance her business. Natalie believes that placing the right individuals in the right roles is crucial to achieving success. To stay ahead of industry trends and foster innovation, Natalie emphasizes thinking outside the box. She believes that following trends rather than setting them is not the path to success. By avoiding the common practices of the industry, PlanetStarz continues to stand out and lead the way.
Natalie Sist describes her leadership style as firm yet empathetic. She believes that understanding the humanity of her staff and helpers gives her an edge in the industry. While she maintains basic rules for everyone, she values those who follow these guidelines and contribute to innovation. These individuals form the backbone of her company and are rewarded for their efforts. To build and maintain a strong company culture, Natalie emphasizes the importance of knowing each staff member personally. She takes the time to understand their needs, celebrate their successes, and support them through challenges. Natalie believes that a personal connection with each team member fosters a happy workforce that is willing to go the extra mile. She feels that being overly harsh on employees is counterproductive and that a compassionate approach yields better results.
“Patience is not my strong suit, but it is essential for achieving long-term success.”
A difficult business decision Natalie had to make was during tough times when she had to let staff go or cut salaries to keep the business afloat. She found it especially hard to make these decisions because she had formed personal bonds with many of her team members. Fortunately, her staff understood the situation, and many were able to return or continue providing support during and after the difficult period.
Looking to the future, Natalie’s goal for Planet Starz is to become a leading player in the industry. She plans to achieve this by taking incremental steps and focusing on the success of new products and initiatives. Although patience is not her strong suit, she acknowledges its importance and is committed to progressing one step at a time. In managing work-life balance, Natalie advises maintaining a tidy home, staying in touch with family, and working hard. She finds her job enjoyable, though stress can arise during lean periods. During these times, her staff supports her with encouragement and innovative ideas, helping her stay positive. Her small, nearby family also reduces her concerns about balancing work and personal life. Originally, Natalie was influenced by a close friend who guided her towards the path that eventually led to her business. This friend encouraged her to study and understand the human condition which became the foundation for her work. Additionally, other individuals have helped her recognize and develop talents she hadn’t previously valued.
The biggest opportunity in Natalie’s industry is the potential to stand out by offering trusted, professional services. The greatest threat is the proliferation of pop-up websites and individuals who offer “free” counseling but lack proper training. Natalie views her fully trained and vetted staff as a significant advantage, and she believes that trust is crucial in her field. PlanetStarz is committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainability by practicing ethical responsibility and striving to do what is right for the world, its people and its future. The company has established rules for its counselors to ensure they provide ethical treatment to every client and she maintains high standards for published content on her sites. Being a web-based organization, PlanetStarz does not contribute negatively to the environment. Since there are no investors, all profits are directed towards salaries and maintaining the site.
For those aspiring to become successful business leaders, Natalie offers key advice: Expect challenges and setbacks, as they are part of the journey; Instead of dwelling on difficulties, focus on your strengths; Allow yourself to process any disappointments and then move forward with renewed determination; Inspiration can come suddenly or gradually, but staying true to your vision and being a bit different from the industry norm will lead to success.
“Understanding the humanity of your team is key to leading with compassion and innovation.”