When Sarah Friar, CEO of Nextdoor, was passed over for a promotion at Goldman Sachs, it was a turning point in her career.
Despite checking every box and meeting all expectations, she was left shocked when told, “It’s not your year.” Instead of seeing it as a failure, Friar’s husband helped her realize it was an opportunity to pursue what truly excited her—working with people and community-driven projects.
The setback shifted her perspective on success, pushing her to focus less on traditional career checklists and more on passion and purpose.
Nextdoor is a popular neighborhood-based social network that helps connect people living in the same communities.
Founded in 2008, it allows neighbors to exchange information, share recommendations, and organize local events. Whether it’s finding a trustworthy babysitter, promoting a local business, or alerting others to neighborhood safety concerns, Nextdoor aims to foster stronger local relationships.
The platform encourages users to build a sense of belonging by facilitating conversations with people nearby. Through verified addresses, Nextdoor ensures that users are communicating with actual neighbors, creating a safe and reliable space for community interactions.
From yard sales to lost pets, it helps keep neighborhoods informed and engaged.
As of today, Nextdoor is available in over 280,000 neighborhoods worldwide, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to stay connected with their local community.
By bringing people together, it’s helping transform the way neighbors interact, solve problems, and build lasting connections.
Friar’s story tells the problem many of us face: the pressure to follow a rigid career path, checking off milestones without questioning if it aligns with our true passions. Often, this perfectionist mindset prevents us from exploring other opportunities.
For Friar, stepping away from the structured corporate environment opened doors to roles that connected her skills with her passion for community, ultimately leading her to Nextdoor, where she could truly make an impact.
One of the biggest lessons she learned was the importance of keeping your network warm. Even when things seem uncertain, Friar advises reaching out, connecting with others, and asking for help.
These connections may not yield immediate results, but they could lead to opportunities later on. Her journey shows that sometimes the greatest career growth comes when you step off the traditional path and focus on what drives you.
