Sharon Schanzer: Creative Strategist. Friction Whisperer. Boulder Mover.
I’ve never loved the word “expert.”
It always sounds like someone who’s finished learning—and I don’t know a single person doing meaningful work who feels like they’ve arrived.
What I do know? I’ve spent a career helping people move forward. Faster. Clearer. And lighter.
I’m Sharon Schanzer, founder of What’s Your Boulder?™ and the Friction-Free™ philosophy. For decades, I’ve worked at the intersection of design thinking, operations, creative problem solving, and “How are you still functioning with this much on your plate?”
I’ve been called:
- a strategist who cuts through noise like a laser
- a designer who makes complexity look easy
- a fixer of stuck people and systems
- the person you call when you’re spinning in circles and just want a clear plan that doesn’t feel like a punishment
And yes, occasionally I’ve been called “scary efficient”—but I take that as a compliment.
A Quick Backstory (Spoiler: I’ve Been Doing This Forever)
I started out in design—visual, digital, brand—and quickly realized that most of my clients didn’t just need design. They needed clarity. They needed systems. They needed decisions made, friction removed, and someone to say, “Let’s just do this already.”
From startups to global firms, from brilliant creatives to overextended leaders, the story was the same: there was always a boulder in the way. And almost always, it wasn’t the boulder they thought it was.
So I made it my job to help them find it—and move it.
That became my superpower: seeing what’s holding people back before they even know how to name it.
How I Work
I don’t offer magic formulas or airtight systems.
I offer presence. Strategy. Friction-sensing. Humor.
I offer fast, clear decision-making, plus enough breathing room to make it feel good—not like another chore.
I’ve worked with:
- corporate teams navigating change
- entrepreneurs bringing ideas to life
- creatives who need structure but can’t stand structure
- founders who are secretly exhausted and want space to think clearly again
My job isn’t to fix you. You’re not broken.
My job is to help you see clearly—and move the thing you’ve been stepping over for months (or years).
Where You Can Find Me
I split my time between speaking, consulting, writing, and running live Boulder-moving sessions.
I live in New York City (which teaches you everything about momentum and friction), and I work with clients across the U.S. and abroad.
I’m also a lifelong traveler and a travel photographer, a strategy and process “nerd”, and someone who believes deeply in beautiful functionality—whether it’s in your systems, your brain, or your life.
Want the Quick Version?
I help high-functioning people and teams finally move the thing they’ve been avoiding. And I do it without guilt, noise, or unnecessary systems.