I have big news, and no, it is not an April Fool’s joke.
As of April 1st, 2026, Teresa Clark, COO, is officially a co-owner of Pepper’s Personal Assistants. I couldn’t be more excited to share this journey with her.
I want to tell you how we got here, because it’s not a typical business story. It’s one about values, trust, and making a choice to protect something that matters.
It Started as a Side Hustle
I founded Pepper’s in 2012 as a stay-at-home mom with no investors, no business degree, and a whole lot of hustle. What I did have was a clear sense of purpose: to simplify life and elevate happiness for busy families in the Seattle area. That mission has guided every decision I’ve made since day one.
Fourteen years later, Pepper’s has grown to a team of 25+ employees serving high-net-worth families across the Greater Seattle area. We’ve built something real here, something with a culture and a heartbeat.
The Interview I’ll Never Forget
When Teresa interviewed for the Director of Operations at Pepper’s, she said something that I made note of. She mentioned that one day she hoped to own a business of her own.
I got emotional in that interview. Not because of the ambition (though I loved it), but because of everything else I saw in her. Her values were our values. The gaps I had in my own skill set were her strengths. She was solution-oriented, accountable, a natural leader who genuinely cared about people. She was, without knowing it, describing herself as exactly what Pepper’s needed. I knew that day that she was the one to take us to the next level. She never stopped proving me right.
The Workshop That Changed Everything
Last year I attended an EO Seattle Design Your Exit workshop run by Byron McFarland. I wasn’t planning to sell. I just wanted to start learning about succession planning and understand my options.
That workshop led me to get a formal evaluation with an M&A advisor, Sally Bergesen. I wanted a roadmap for selling in the next five to seven years. Sally had other news, she could have buyers interested tomorrow. Pepper’s was already worth selling.
After thinking about it awhile, I said no.
For me, selling to an outside buyer meant risking everything that makes Pepper’s special. Our culture, our people, our way of doing things. None of that was something I was willing to gamble on. So, I started thinking differently. Teresa had been on the team less than a year, but I already knew she was the one I trusted to carry this legacy forward. I also knew the team would feel the same way. I approached her, and she said yes.
Why This Makes Sense for Pepper’s
At Pepper’s, we run on EOS with a clear Vision/Traction Organizer that defines who we are and where we’re going. Our Core Values are not slogans on a wall. They are the filter for every hire, every decision, every client relationship:
One for All and All for Pepper’s- collective trust, shared accountability
FITFO- figure it the f out, proactively, with a can-do attitude
Growth Mindset- feedback, humility, and continuous improvement
Provide Ease- clear communication, reliable execution, making life simpler
Teresa doesn’t just know these values. She has been living them since her first day. She is the definition of a growth mindset. She provides ease not just for clients but for everyone on the team. She has thought like an owner in every decision she has made.
Our Core Focus at Pepper’s is Simplifying Life, Elevating Happiness. That only works when the people leading the company genuinely believe it. Teresa believes it.
What This Means for You
For our clients, this is a signal of stability. The team that has been caring for your homes and your families is not going anywhere. In fact, it is only getting more invested, more intentional, and more committed to what we’ve built together.
For our team, this means the culture you signed up for isn’t going anywhere. Teresa has been in the trenches with you. She knows what it takes, she knows what matters, and she’s now even more invested in making Pepper’s a place where people want to stay.
Our Guaranteed Perfect Fit promise has always been about making sure the right person is in the right role. That same principle guided this decision.
Welcome, Teresa.
You told me in your interview that you wanted to own a business one day. This transition is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I’m honored to make it with you. You’ve earned every bit of this.
To our clients, our team, and everyone who has been part of this journey: thank you for trusting us. The best is still ahead.
With gratitude,
Kara Roberts
Founder & CEO, Pepper’s Personal Assistants
