“Miracle worker.”
Executive Trust
COO · Private Equity.
Project SPICES™ · Master Evidence Archive
Real people. Real change. Results that last.
The complete Project SPICES™ evidence archive — preserving executive, organizational, workforce, educational, coaching, relationship, professional, personal-development and long-term experiences across Dr. Sarai Koo's body of work.
Selected Documented Evidence
Testimonials tell the story. Outcomes deepen the evidence.
80%
Employment Success
Reported workforce-engagement outcome.
92.5%
Efficiency Increase
Reported organizational process improvement.
~137
Hours / Month
Approximate capacity reportedly returned to one team.
7+
Years Later
Longitudinal evidence after initial participation.
Complete Evidence Library
Every evidence type has a home.
Executive & Leadership Evidence
When the responsibility is high, generic advice is not enough.
“You are a miracle worker.”
COO · Private Equity
Entrepreneur & Business Leader
“As an entrepreneur and business leader I have attended multiple life coaching programs that pale in comparison.”
The testimonial describes Dr. Koo as leading with distinction, passion and heart.
Leadership Transformation
“Sarai's program shaped me to be a leader who seeks inner reflection.”
The participant connected the experience with purpose, service, education and becoming a more courageous leader.
Professional Coaching Peer
“Sarai is the most effective coach with whom I have ever worked.”
VR Walton, M.S., described Dr. Koo as a “no-nonsense coach” who identifies root issues and challenges clients beyond their comfort zone.
Federal & Government Voices
Evidence from high-accountability environments.
Transformation Reflection
“If I had to estimate the percentage of change, I would say 80% to 90%, but honestly, I feel like a completely different person. I feel recharged, empowered, and confident in what I can achieve.”
Federal / Leadership Participant
Presentation Testimonial
“Dr. Koo is warm and caring, with contagious energy and strength... I am a better person for what she has taught me.”
Jamie S. · Federal Government
Training & Facilitation
“In 30 years at the Agency and throughout my work as a training manager/facilitator, your presentation was the best I have experienced.”
Brad · Federal Government Facilitator
Transformation, Documented
Situation. Root block. Work. Shift.
Executive Re+Calibration™
The CEO Who Had Everything — Except Alignment
62.96% reduction in recorded hesitation markers
Read Full Case Study +
Executive Re+Calibration™
The CEO Who Had Everything — Except Alignment
62.96% reduction in recorded hesitation markers
Situation
A founder-CEO had achieved substantial external success while experiencing increasing friction between identity, company values, leadership behavior, decision-making and public presence.
Root Block
The case identified a widening gap between the person behind the position and the leadership identity being performed publicly.
The Work
The engagement focused on identity clarity, values alignment, confidence, decision-making and leadership presence through Re+Calibration™.
Shift
The case record describes steadier decision-making, greater composure and a 62.96% reduction in documented verbal hesitation markers following a focused working session.
Organizational Transformation
The 92.5% Fix — When the Process Was the Problem
95% targeted improvement · 92.5% increased efficiency
Read Full Case Study +
Organizational Transformation
The 92.5% Fix — When the Process Was the Problem
95% targeted improvement · 92.5% increased efficiency
Situation
An internal operating process had accumulated redundant steps, unclear ownership and slow decision-making.
Root Block
The diagnostic identified a system designed around liability avoidance rather than clear decision rights and value creation.
Shift
The case record reports 95% improvement in the targeted process, 53.6% reduction in dysfunctional or duplicative steps, 92.5% increased efficiency and approximately 137 team hours returned monthly.
Multi-Agency Transformation
Twenty Rooms. One Standard.
20+ senior leaders · approximately 40 federal agencies
Read Full Case Study +
Multi-Agency Transformation
Twenty Rooms. One Standard.
20+ senior leaders · approximately 40 federal agencies
Situation
A national-level initiative required leaders across multiple agencies to carry a shared transformation strategy into very different institutional cultures.
The Work
The engagement involved cross-agency strategy design and direct leadership delivery across a distributed government environment.
Confidentiality
Sensitive agency details remain generalized in the public archive.
Workforce Transformation
From “I'm Not Employable” to Employed
Eight-month program · 80% reported success rate
Read Full Case Study +
Workforce Transformation
From “I'm Not Employable” to Employed
Eight-month program · 80% reported success rate
Situation
A workforce system was serving adults experiencing long-term unemployment for whom conventional résumé and interview training alone was insufficient.
The Work
Internal and behavioral barriers were addressed before layering conventional employment-development skills over that foundation.
Shift
The case-study record reports an 80% success rate helping long-term unemployed participants secure employment.
Education & Workforce Infrastructure
Building the Pipeline
133 partnerships · attainment 5% → 13.2%
Read Full Case Study +
Education & Workforce Infrastructure
Building the Pipeline
133 partnerships · attainment 5% → 13.2%
Situation
A city needed stronger infrastructure connecting residents, education institutions and employers.
The Work
The initiative built a cross-sector education-to-workforce network, including connections with colleges and universities.
Shift
The case-study record reports 133 partnerships and an increase in college-degree attainment from 5% to 13.2%.
Personal Transformation
An Educator's Twenty Years — When Life Finally Got Lighter
Long-term self-reported personal transformation
Read Full Case Study +
Personal Transformation
An Educator's Twenty Years — When Life Finally Got Lighter
Long-term self-reported personal transformation
Situation
The educator described a roughly twenty-year history of depression, hopelessness and difficulty experiencing life positively.
Shift — In Her Own Account
She later wrote that she no longer experienced the same persistent inner pain, felt hope again, could think more positively and was better able to pursue goals without being devastated by unmet goals.
Evidence Note
This is preserved as the participant's personal testimony and is not presented as a medical treatment or cure claim.
Longitudinal Youth Outcome
Adrian H. — Seven Years Later, Still Standing On It
Multi-year engagement · 7+ year follow-up
Read Full Case Study +
Longitudinal Youth Outcome
Adrian H. — Seven Years Later, Still Standing On It
Multi-year engagement · 7+ year follow-up
Situation
As a teenager, Adrian wanted to become a filmmaker while people around him encouraged him to choose a more conventional path.
The Work
The program helped him distinguish his own direction from external expectations, strengthen communication and leadership skills and remain engaged over multiple years.
Shift
The case record states that he was accepted to USC's School of Cinematic Arts on scholarship and later worked professionally in film and media.
His Words
“SPICES helped me realize that. SPICES helped make that into a reality.”
Single-Session Transformation
Fifteen Years in a Box
Shirley · “Getting the Junk Out” workshop
Read Full Case Study +
Single-Session Transformation
Fifteen Years in a Box
Shirley · “Getting the Junk Out” workshop
Situation
Shirley described having carried hurt and bitterness for approximately fifteen years without fully understanding the extent to which it was shaping her.
The Work
The workshop focused on identifying the specific hurt underneath the broader emotional pattern rather than simply managing the surface.
Shift
Shirley described feeling free, contacting the person connected with the hurt, apologizing, thanking the person for the lesson and moving forward.
Project SPICES™ × SELACO
One engagement. Five distinct stories.
Leadership and staff-training evidence from a 2015 workforce-development engagement, including personal reflections and later follow-ups.
Shirley
Career Development Specialist
“Fifteen years of holding on... I felt free.”
Read Shirley's Story +
Shirley described spending approximately fifteen years carrying hurt and bitterness without fully understanding what she was carrying.
During a workshop titled “Getting the Junk Out,” she said she identified the specific hurt underneath the broader pattern. She described feeling free enough afterward to contact the person involved, apologize, thank the person for the lesson and move forward.
She later wrote that she noticed herself smiling more, greeting people more openly and intentionally working to become a happier presence for herself and her family.
“Words cannot begin to express the thanks and gratitude that I feel.”
Anthony Sharp
Career Development Specialist
“What she did in a matter of eight hours was remarkable.”
Read Anthony's Story +
Anthony described the Dr. Koo experience with words including “Visionary. Gifted. Anointed. Groundbreaking. Lively. Theatrical. Informative.”
He wrote that she helped him examine and release what he believed had been holding him back, and described feeling lighter afterward.
He described Dr. Koo as a “human kaleidoscope” who empowers, uplifts, transforms, confronts directly and builds people up.
In a later follow-up, Anthony wrote that he was applying the training professionally in customer interactions, noticing a more positive tone and providing additional support to customers who needed assistance with resumes and computer programs.
Tammy
Workforce Development Professional
“You personalized the training and made the information relevant.”
Read Tammy's Story +
Tammy described Dr. Koo's approach as straightforward and candid. She particularly valued the way the training was personalized and made relevant to both professional and personal circumstances.
Her longer reflection described greater understanding among coworkers, increased empathy toward workforce customers and a shared framework that could improve communication and service.
She also recommended that similar training be considered for leaders and managers.
Vivian
Career Development Specialist
“Dr. Koo changed my life personally and professionally.”
Read Vivian's Story +
Vivian described gaining confidence, a more positive perspective and greater belief in her ability to make constructive decisions.
She connected the experience not only with her personal life but also with the way she supported customers professionally.
Her reflection emphasized belief, personal responsibility and helping others recognize their own potential.
Kenisha Humphrey
Disability Resource Coordinator
“Instead of saying I am going to do it, I am actually doing it.”
Read Kenisha's Two-Part Story +
In September 2015, Kenisha wrote that she entered the workshop determined to keep an emotional wall in place. Afterward, she said the workshop forced her to examine burdens she had been carrying and reminded her why she entered workforce service.
She also wrote that she had become more focused on customers and their actual needs rather than allowing her own difficulties to distract her from service.
Approximately 2½ months later, she reported that she was making concrete changes rather than merely talking about making them.
She described beginning to ask customers, “How can I be of service to you?” rather than immediately telling them what they should do. She also reported making fewer assumptions and asking questions to identify underlying issues.
Executive Director Evidence
When the work reaches both customers and staff.
“It was when I saw the program in action with both our customers and staff that I finally understood the value of SPICES.”
Yolanda · Executive Director
Read the Executive Director's Full Context +
Her letter described Project SPICES™ being applied to both workforce customers and staff. She wrote that customers became more aware of internal barriers affecting employment progress and that staff members examined their own barriers and attitudes affecting customer service.
She emphasized accountability, empathy, connection and the importance of helping participants rebuild confidence, self-worth and direction.
She also stated that what distinguished the work was the relationship and trust developed with customers rather than simply repeating traditional job-readiness techniques.
Coaching · Assessment · Development
Clarity should lead somewhere.
Assessment Debrief
“Dr. Koo has a deep understanding of many assessments... She explained this complicated tool with ease.”
Jamie S.
Coaching
“She expertly paced and navigated our coaching sessions so that I left, not just feeling seen, heard, and better, but knowing what I needed to do to move forward.”
Jamie S.
Presentation
“If you want a memorable, life-changing conversation with a remarkable person, talk with Dr. Koo.”
Jamie S.
Did It Last?
The strongest testimonial is often the one that comes back later.
2½
Months Later
Kenisha
“Instead of saying I am going to do it, I am actually doing it.”
Her follow-up also documented changes in how she approached workforce customers.
7+
Years Later
Adrian H.
“SPICES helped me realize that. SPICES helped make that into a reality.”
His longitudinal case documents movement from a teenager whose film ambition was questioned by others to professional work in film and media.
15
Years Released
Shirley
“Fifteen years of holding on... I felt free.”
Her story describes identifying and releasing longstanding hurt and noticing behavioral changes afterward.
20
Years of a Pattern
Educator
“Now, I am a person who has hope.”
Her testimony is presented as her own self-reported experience rather than as a medical treatment claim.
Original Participant Voice
Adrian H. — before the outcome became obvious.
“SPICES is more than just another cheap slogan: It houses the secrets to living a quality life. After all, don't we all need a map?”
Read Adrian's Original 2014 Reflection +
Adrian's original reflection begins with the idea that people often feel lost about their future, fate, purpose and place in the world. He describes turning to the MAPS program and then encountering SPICES.
He wrote that SPICES gave him a framework for questions such as: Who am I? How should I treat people? Why am I here? He described the work not as a quick solution but as a way of thinking about how to live.
Years later, that original reflection became especially significant because his subsequent case history documents continued pursuit of his filmmaking ambition and professional work in the field.
Relationship Transformation
When understanding becomes behavior.
Winnie's account documents a private premarital relationship engagement conducted under the SPICES framework.
“My fiancé and I have been trying out these practices and are seeing improvements in our communication and general well-being.”
Winnie · Premarital Relationship Client
Read Winnie's Full Story +
Winnie wrote that she entered the counseling experience anxious because she had never previously been in counseling. She said Dr. Koo helped her feel safe enough to open up.
She valued having an objective third-party perspective and described Dr. Koo as able to translate both partners' points of view into insights they might not have reached on their own.
She specifically mentioned gratitude and taking responsibility for one's own actions and feelings, saying that Dr. Koo helped turn those ideas from general concepts into practices the couple could use in everyday life.
She also wrote that the individualized attention made a major difference in her ability to internalize the material and that she carried the lessons differently than she had after large-group presentations.
Purpose · Faith · Recognition
Some stories began with being seen.
Patricia · Personal Reflection
“I felt recognized.”
“You did not impose your external impressions or goals for me,
but rather helped me to recognize... what my journey is, my path.”
Patricia described herself as private and complex and wrote that being recognized by another person felt unusual and meaningful.
She described Dr. Koo as poised, professional and gracious and said that the insights shared with her felt comforting rather than invasive.
Her reflection is explicitly Christian and describes the conversation as reminding her to return to what she understood as God's will for her life.
Reflection on the SPICES Experience
Helen Ho
“SPICES provides a non-intrusive space for people to simply be.”
Helen wrote that SPICES begins with the potential of the individual rather than trying to force people into preconceived notions of how they should behave.
She described an open but safe environment with guided round-table discussion and free-form conversation that allowed personality and talent to emerge naturally.
Purpose & Creative Direction
A conversation about returning to the path.
“We talked about inspiration... finding your passion again... becoming who you are really supposed to be.”
Read James's Story +
James described himself as a middle-aged man who had moved away from a creative path, become discouraged and was working in a job he did not find satisfying.
He and Dr. Koo discussed returning to that path, examining discouragement and changing the thought patterns that were keeping him disconnected from the work he wanted to pursue.
James reported that approximately four days later he received a message that a screenplay he had written twelve years earlier had been financed. That later event is preserved as part of his reported story and timing, not as a claim that the conversation caused the financing.
Historical Youth & Education Evidence
Confidence. Purpose. Communication. Agency.
Personal Growth
“It's really changed me as a person.”
A.H. · Student Participant
Purpose
“Now I feel like I have purpose... I'm actually going to go for what I want.”
C.L. · Student Participant
Meaning
“I have not only learned about the opportunities... but the meaning of life itself.”
Y.C. · Student Participant
Communication
“Now I'd rather share it... now I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts.”
V.R. · Student Participant
Confidence
“I’m a lot more confident in myself and comfortable talking to new people.”
G.M. · Later Reflection
Agency
“You let them be themselves and find their own paths.”
Former Student Reflection
Empathy
“You transformed our lives into something better.”
Student Reflection
Speaking Up
“Even if they don't listen to me, I can still speak.”
Student Reflection
Self-Reflection
“You always need to self-assess, analyze, and be open to reflect.”
Adult Educator / Parent Specialist
Mentorship & Education
Learning to question accepted answers.
“Dr. Koo taught me that I needed to be more curious and question things more often.”
Courtney · Former Student / Intern
Read Courtney's Story +
Courtney originally entered the program thinking primarily about college applications. Her later reflection describes a broader impact involving critical thinking, questioning assumptions, academic curiosity, mentorship and learning to see education and life as connected.
Institutional Speaking Evidence
The presentation attendees remembered most.
“The #1 activity attendees enjoyed the most was your presentation.”
Darryl Baker · District Director
The archived Department of Public Social Services letter states that attendee feedback was collected following the TEAM Conference and that Dr. Koo's presentation was the activity most often identified in the open-ended question asking attendees what they liked most.
Professional Recommendations
Colleagues remember how she leads.
Vivian
Career Development Professional
“Dr. Koo changed my life personally and professionally.”
Deepa
Project Manager
“Sarai is a true leader. She is an inspiration to me and many others.”
Natalie
School Counselor
“Sarai has truly been a mentor to me.”
Winnie
Education Professional
“When I think of Sarai, there are a few words that come to mind: integrity, commitment, tenacity, and service.”
Safa
Digital Marketing & UX/UI
“Dr. Koo provided me with immense support. Her leadership allowed me to reach new heights.”
Sylvan
Market Research / Strategy
“I'm truly grateful to have met Dr. Koo during this formative period of my career and personal life.”
Anthony
Leadership / Career Professional
“Visionary. Gifted. Anointed. Groundbreaking. Lively. Theatrical. Informative.”
Monica K, PhD
Grants Administrator
“Dr. Koo had her non-profit MAPS 4 College and I was working in a community that would benefit from her program.”
Tammy F.
Workforce Development
“She has the ability to get to the root of an issue and communicate in a way where everyone could understand.”
Full Quote Library
Every voice does not need to become a case study.
Purpose
“Before this program, I didn't really feel like I had a place in the world... now I feel like I have purpose.”
Student Participant
Confidence
“I'm a lot more confident in myself... and comfortable talking to new people.”
G.M.
Personal Growth
“With 10% of the material provided, I have changed 70% of my life.”
Participant Reflection
Hope
“Most of all, I would sum it in one word which would be hope.”
Adult Participant
Agency
“Instead of saying I am going to do it, I am actually doing it.”
Kenisha
Professional Development
“You personalized the training and made the information relevant.”
Tammy
Personal & Professional
“Dr. Koo changed my life personally and professionally.”
Vivian
Coaching
“She has a keen ability to pinpoint the root issue.”
VR Walton, M.S.
Leadership
“Sarai leads with distinction, passion, and most importantly, her heart.”
Entrepreneur & Business Leader
Leadership Identity
“Sarai's program shaped me to be a leader who seeks inner reflection.”
Leadership Participant
The Experience
“SPICES provides a non-intrusive space for people to simply be.”
Helen Ho
Recognition
“I felt recognized.”
Patricia
Purpose
“It makes me want to just push forward and push harder.”
Young Participant
Direction
“I have a lot to think about.”
Young Participant
Personal Change
“It's really changed me as a person.”
Student Participant
Original Evidence
Preserve the evidence as it was originally given.
The archive should keep selected handwritten notes, letters, screenshots, original emails and institutional documents. They establish provenance and preserve the voice of the person rather than turning every story into polished marketing copy.
Evidence Integrity
Preserve the story. Protect the person.
This archive contains testimonials, participant reflections, organizational case studies, professional recommendations and historical materials spanning many years. Some engagements involve confidential executives, organizations, government environments, minors, personal histories or sensitive circumstances. Names and identifying details may therefore be withheld or generalized. Individual experiences do not guarantee future outcomes. Health-related and faith-related reflections are preserved as the individual's own experience and should not be interpreted as medical treatment claims.
One Archive · Multiple Applications
Explore where the work is applied today.
Framework
Project SPICES™
The multidimensional human operating framework and its applications.
→ Personal · Professional Coaching Specialty®Coaching, clarity, assessments, career development and individual growth.
↗ Executive · Organization Winning Pathway®Executive leadership, organizational systems, workforce and performance.
↗ Founder · Speaker · Advisor Dr. Sarai KooSpeaking, advisory work, professional leadership and the broader body of work.
↗
The Archive Is Still Growing
More stories exist. More evidence belongs here.
Additional testimonials, follow-ups, case studies, institutional letters, professional recommendations, video testimonials and original artifacts can be added to this archive without changing its architecture.
Share or Document a Project SPICES™ Story →
Project SPICES™
The archive preserves the evidence. The next conversation is about your context.
Explore Project SPICES™, its applications, or connect with the team about executive, organizational, workforce, coaching, speaking, educational or individual-development needs.
Case Study Examples
Applied Lean Six Sigma to identify the root problem and deliver results. My work resulted in a 95% process improvement and a 53.6% elimination of dysfunction and problematic issues
Stop Waste! Minimized an office 137 hours and increased efficiency by 92.5%.
Unified the Executive Branch, bringing together over 40 executive Agencies to transform a divided landscape into a cohesive and collaborative force.
As the only college access program, our work Increased city educational statistics from 5% to 13.2%, almost tripling the city's graduation rates
Read our research articles!
We aligned team mindsets to achieve better productivity, a positive culture, and happier employees. By fostering a sense of purpose, individuals were empowered to recognize the significance of their roles and responsibilities, no matter how mundane they may seem. The collective effort built greatness, creating a more engaged and community-focused workforce.
Read our COACHING testimonials
See our TRAINING Testimonials below
"Her (Dr. Sarai Koo) approach is one that is force to be reckoned with and cannot be duplicated"
Anthony S.
“Visionary. Gifted. Anointed. Groundbreaking. Lively. Theatrical. Informative. These are just some of the words that describe the Dr. Koo experience.
What she did in a matter of 8 hours was remarkable.
She came in, peeled back my onion, and helped me dump out all of the stuff that was holding me back. I now have a deeper appreciation and feel much lighter than before.
Dr. Koo is a human kaleidoscope.
She empowers, uplifts, transforms, confronts (in a loving/direct way), breaks down and builds up.
Her approach is one that is force to be reckoned with and cannot be duplicated.
Dr. Koo’s love and investment in people is genuine, compassionate with a touch of tough love.
What I appreciate most about her is that she does not give credit and boast about her schooling. She shows up, delivers and let her anointing and gift speak.
If you are looking to boost the productivity of your workers and enhance company results, I beseech you to contact Dr. Koo immediately.
CAUTION: Have a box of tissues handy as you will need them….in a good way.”
Impacting Leaders Overseeing Seven Cities
Featured Service That Changes Lives
Tammy
Dr. Koo's straightforward, candid approach drove the message home – that we are not alone and that others are going through their own personal issues too. . . I so enjoyed your ability to get to the root of the problem and communicate in a way where everyone could understand. I especially appreciated that you personalized the training and made the information relevant.
Kenisha
Project SPICES has also made a deep impact on my life. Personally since the past two and half months, I have made changes, instead of saying I am going to do it, I am actually doing it. . . . Your workshop changed my life, helped me put things in perspective and forced me to face my burdens. I would love to keep in touch with you . . . Personally since the past two and half months, I have made changes, instead of saying I am going to do it, I am actually doing it.
Vivian
Dr. Koo changed my life personally and professionally. She teaches you to believe in yourself through her teachings. . . You are doing exactly what you were put on this earth to do. . . You are changing the world one person at a time by helping us to believe in ourselves.
Shirley
Words cannot begin to express the thanks and gratitude that I feel for Dr. Koo. From the bottom my happy and now free soul I say “THANK YOU, THANK YOU and THANK YOU!
“Letting Go! After 15 years of not knowing or understanding why you are the way you are, Dr. Koo helped me to identify and let go of the hurt and bitterness I had been holding on to. With Dr. Koo’s help I was able to come out of the emotional box of hurt that I never know I was in. I can honestly say thinking back now there were significant signs of unhappiness and a sense of anger and blame for what I thought should have been. After participating in one of many of her workshops the one that really released me from my box was the one titled “Getting the Junk Out”. Fifteen years of holding on to the “bitter junk”, I felt free, so free I called up to the person and apologized, thanked them for the lesson they had taught me and finally moved on with my life.” “That box I had spent so many years in was no longer my emotional prison. It’s surprising when you begin to change who you have been for so long into someone that you know you were truly meant to be. It is always nice when others notice, but it gives you a better sense of awareness and relief, even a bit of joy, when you begin to notice it for yourself. For example after I got my “bitter junk” out I smiled more, began saying good morning to everyone I came in contact with and started focusing on making myself a more happier person not only for me but my family as well.”
When Project SPICES Transforms Leaders' Lives
Yolanda, Executive Director
Dr. Sarai Koo,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the time you have spent trying to help me see the value of SPICES and how the elements of the program have the ability to change a person’s life.
Through many of our conversations, I walked away thinking “she has something; I just can’t clearly define it or know how to use it!” It was when I saw the program in action with both our customers and staff that I finally understood the value of SPICES.
We see many customers walk through our doors seeking the right formula to help them secure employment. Often times, successful employment is secured after attending a job search workshop or after a one-on-one session on assessing skills and how these skills can be transferred to different industries.
Other times, customers need much more support. Customers who remain unemployed for too long start to build emotional blocks that keep them from succeeding. This is where SPICES made a difference at the SELACO Workforce Development Board!
SPICES offers a series of techniques that help customers start to expose what exist within them that keeps them from moving forward. The unique relationship and empathy you display as a trainer and mentor allows customers to freely explore the “junk” that keeps them from succeeding.
SPICES puts accountability for success in the hands of the customer.
The SELACO customers who participated in the SPICES project realized that while they said they wanted a job, they were taking no steps to secure that job. SPICES unveiled the reality of their self-destruction and what they needed to do to change direction. Your project gave our participants a forum to rebuild their confidence, self-worth, and establish a direction for success.
My staff who participated in your one-day training session exposed some realities about their own barriers and attitudes that prevented them from connecting positively with their peers and hindered their ability to fully support our customers.
Staff shared that involvement in your workshop helped them see that while they are committed to supporting our customers, there are steps they can take to demonstrate a greater level of empathy and commitment to ensuring a customer’s success.
Dr. Koo, you demonstrate a unique ability to connect with a person and open their eyes to their full potential. The job search sessions you offered our customers are no different than the job readiness techniques we offer in our menu of workshops.
What was different are the techniques you used to develop a relationship with the customers and gain their commitment to trust you and follow your recipe for success. These are the same techniques that my staff hopes to duplicate as they deliver our services and guide our customers to long term employment.
Thank you for finally getting me to the point of understanding the true value of SPICES.
Best Presenter
Dr. Sarai Koo,
It was a pleasure to have you speak at our Department of Public Social Services TEAM Conference in September 2015. You were very engaging, energetic, enthusiastic, and utilized real life examples in your presentation. You really connected with the audience and held their attention!
A survey was conducted of the attendees to get their feedback regarding the conference. One of the first questions asked was "What did you like most about the Conference"? I am pleased to state that # 1 activity attendees enjoyed the most was your presentation. What makes the response even more qualifying is that there we no pre-selected answers to choose from, it was simply a free form question and response.
I would like to thank you again for accommodating our requests regarding your presentation at the conference and am very pleased with the outcome.
Darryl Baker, District Director
Long-Term Project SPICES Transformation
Adrian H.
Before 7 Years
As I see it, we’re all lost. Whether it’s in terms of our future, our fate, our purpose, or our place in the world, there’re always nagging questions in the back of our minds. Ones we can’t answer. Ones we can’t ignore.
The How, the Why, the Who, the When, the What. They hound us like flies, circling about our head and infecting us. And they only get louder as we get older.
We turn every which way to find answers. Like rats in a maze. Sometimes we’re led to chapels and churches and synagogues. Others, are led to needles and pills and blunts. All they offer are the quick solutions; ones that get us through the night until the morning.
The morning. The morning so we can question again. So we can run like rats in a maze. So we can find our way back to the chapels and the churches and the synagogues and the. . .
I was tired of it.
To relieve my questions, I turned towards the MAPS program for guidance. A program that had given me so much. A program that seemed to have an answer for everything.
And it did this time, too. SPICES.
More than a religious doctrine or shallow self-help code, SPICES offered a set of life philosophies worth living by. The answers to those big questions. Who am I? The person I create for myself.
How should I treat people? Equally, regardless of who they are. We’re nearly identical genetically, anyways. All past wrong-doings are in the past, and the past is where our past lives, not in our present selves.
Why am I here? To improve the quality of the human race.
SPICES is more than just another cheap slogan: It houses the secret to living a quality life. After all, don’t we all need a map?
After 7 Years
This, without me knowing it, was my first taste of the SPICES platform.
Topics I remember being discussed in these sessions included:
— What a happy and fulfilling life is, and how we could start to prepare ourselves for living one
— What our life ambitions were, and how we could start to establish paths to achieve them
— Effective leadership tactics - our internal and external motivations for achieving our ambitions
— Many of the racial, social, and economic hardships that impeded upward mobility in our Latinx community, as well as the differences and similarities between the cultures we all came from.
— Ways we could use our ambitions to impact other people positively
. . .
SPICES, on the other hand, is a set of guidelines that moves away from this classic trap. The platform begins with an analysis of the heart and soul of your personal ambition, and ends with giving you the strategies you need to maximize your ability to achieve what you strive for.
How do I know that it works?
I'm one of its early benefiters.
When I was six, I identified my personal ambition to be a filmmaker. I knew that the purpose of my life was to entertain and challenge people through cinematic art.
I had several people, teachers and parents, tell me that becoming a filmmaker would lead to stress and financial difficulty. I was told to avoid the route completely and go into engineering or computer science. At 14, I was almost considering giving up on my ambition and agreeing with many of these adults around me who told me to give up. Why would they lie, after all?
Then I encountered SPICES.
Through SPICES, I gained the courage to follow an atypical life path, and through the teachings of the program, was able to harness my personal strengths to make a film career happen for myself. I have no formal ties to the film industry. My Dad is a dishwasher, my mother is a homemaker.
After helping start a drama class in my high school's lackluster educational curriculum, I was accepted to attend school for Film and TV Production at the USC School of Cinematic Arts on full scholarship. It's the most expensive and selective film school in the country.
I went through 4 years of intense production curriculum, entrusting that my love of impacting people through art and adoration of the film medium would pull through, and it has!
Since graduating from USC's Film School in 2018, I have worked for Fox Sports West, Los Angeles Metro, The National Association for Latinx Independent Producers, Fine Brother Entertainment, and countless other independent ventures. I've sound designed several shorts and a feature film, and acted as cinematographer on three independent feature films and several shorts and music videos.
My personal directorial work, largely in documentary, has been shown in festivals around the country, and I'm privileged to say that I am now making a living doing what I love in a career field I want to be in.
And I'm just getting started. I live to entertain and provoke thought in people through my art.
SPICES helped me realize that. SPICES helped make that into a reality. Sarai's insights will get you far. Trust me."
Frequetly Asked Q
uestion
7 Years Later, Too
Yose
SPICES has been a tool that has affected my life tremendously. It has impacted all the decisions I have made. I have used it as a tool to deal with relationships, work, and for my own soul and spirit. I work with a very vulnerable community. It is a community that requires a lot of patience, empathy, and love. I am currently 24 years of age, it is currently July 2019.
I began working for this agency this past December. I work in a wrap team. Wrap team is a team that is assigned a family, per the child or youth’s sake. I work here because I myself come from a broken home and my goal has always been to help other broken families. It took my family a lot of obstacles, a lot of healing, and a lot of love to get to where we are today.
These families are all referred to wrap services because they have open cases with DCFS, The Department of Child Family Services. The families I work with are in tough situations that seem impossible to overcome. Every day I know I have to be 100 with myself to be able to go out to these communities to help the best way I can. SPICES has helped me a lot along the way.
SPICES taught me that we are entitled to seek for our true happiness. In the curriculum of spices I learned that we are all like cars, we drive in our lane and we all look different. We go all throughout life and sometimes we get damaged and sometimes we get so damaged, we may think we are unrepairable.
SPICES gave me the tools to recognize that a person’s perception of their world is controlled by their way of thinking, their optimism, and their hard work. I have no doubt in my mind that SPICES could help so many open their eyes and mind to viewing situations of life so differently.
SPICES teaches us that it is not effective to blame shift, not good to blame the world for one’s own problems or challenges, SPICES has taught me that.
Every day I run a mile, I meditate, I pray and I think of SPICES philosophy, if it was not for those things working all together for myself, my person would not be in its capacity to help this vulnerable community. We all need food for the soul and SPICES is one element that can help so many conquer their inner demons, to recognize their own person, to become aware of their person’s flaws, and to push forward strong in life.
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Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders
As an entrepreneur and business leader I have attended multiple life coaching programs that pale in comparison to that of Sarai’s program. Sarai leads with distinction, passion, and most importantly, her heart.
Latina Leader
Sarai's program, SPICES, shaped me to be a leader who seeks inner reflection. In the time I was there, I learned to serve students and defined my purpose to be involved in education. Sarai inspired me and continues to inspire me to be a bold, courageous leader who transforms the lives of others.
Project SPICES - Transforms Depressive Mindsets - 20 years with depression
I used to hate life. I hated my job, I hated the people I worked with, I hated existing. I hated, felt hopeless, and didn't want to live. I was a depressed person. I felt like a depressed person, I acted like a depressed person, I felt the hopelessness of a depressed person.
And now, after Project Spices...I don't have the inner pain that used to be a part of me all the time…Now, I am a person who has hope.
I am able to think positively. I take on challenges I vowed I would never do. I am able to meet some of the goals I make for myself. I’m not devastated about the goals that I don’t meet; I’m still able to feel hope that I can accomplish those goals.
My job still isn't easy, but when I drive to work I find that I am still able to have positive thoughts about my life. In addition, a lot of the same situations and the same people that once brought a lot of frustration and hurt, I find that a lot of those things don't bother me with the same intensity as before.I know God is with me. I almost feel like this is a time of "promotion" for me. A promotion that has been a long time coming. But is here nonetheless. I feel like God is watching over my life. I am in his line of sight. My past life was painful. But not a waste. Because God was there all along.
In short, life is better. Before, life was so awful that I thought it was a miracle that I would even put one foot in front of the other. The difference is, even though I am still a work in progress and am still taking things day by day, I feel as though I can walk greater distances…
Project SPICES Re-Calibration Relationships Program
Transforming Relationships: We fill-in the gaps of what counselors and therapists could not
Winnie
My fiancé and I recently went through several pre-marital counseling sessions with Sarai, which she ran under her SPICES framework.
First of all, Sarai is wonderfully skilled as a counselor. Having never been in a counseling situation before, I was quite anxious about the whole thing.
Sarai made me feel safe and after some initial awkwardness, I eased into opening up. I appreciated the objective third party view on our relationship, and she was able to effectively translate our points of view into digestible insights that we probably wouldn’t have been able to arrive at ourselves. Sarai is incredibly perceptive and was able to gently pinpoint character traits for both of us that we knew we needed to work on.
Secondly, the ideas that she suggested under the SPICES framework, were quite valuable. Some of them, such as practicing gratitude and taking responsibility for our own actions and feelings, are things that most people have heard of and are universally thought of as healthy relationship skills. However, Sarai was able to explain those ideas in a way that allowed me to see how powerful they can be.
While ideas such as these are certainly inspiring, they must be put into action, and I really appreciated the way Sarai helped us figure out ways to practice the necessary skills in everyday life.
My fiancé and I have been trying out these practices and are seeing improvements in our communication and general well-being.
Sarai was generous enough with her time to do these sessions with us privately, and I think that made a huge difference in the way I was able to internalize her teachings. I’ve heard some of these messages before in large group settings and have always felt inspired afterwards, but there was something about having Sarai’s full attention that made a difference.
Perhaps it was the targeted, personalized suggestions, or the fact that I knew that my partner was on board with me, but I carried these lessons with me in a way that I never did before. I have a habit of looking at the negative side of situations and stressing myself over things that I have no control over.
Sarai honed in on this habit of mine during our sessions and I saw how the negative effect that it could have on my relationship. Since then, I’ve made very conscious efforts to gauge my thoughts and turn them around, per Sarai’s suggestions.
I am a work in progress on many fronts, but with Sarai’s invaluable insights and encouragement, I am committed to the effort of building a relationship that is loving, enriching, and supportive of fulfilling our purposes in life.
A Sprinkle of Project SPICES and This is What Happens!
“. . . Through this program, I also realized my self-worth because . . . before I didn’t really feel like I had a place in the world . . . So, now I feel like I have purpose and everything. . . So, I’m actually going to go for what I want.”
“I have not only learned about the opportunities being a part of this organization offers me, but the meaning of life itself. I know that may sound quite drastic for me to say, but it is true.”
“One big thing that I’ve took in . . . is [that] I’m a lot more confident in myself . . . and comfortable talking to new people or being open. I've learned to take risks and do things that before the program I would probably be too scared to try. I've learned to be more understanding of people such as their situation or way of thinking instead of making myself the victim of "why do I have to change for them? They should change for me." Before the program I would blame others for my own actions or find a way to lie to myself that it wasn't my fault, and now I acknowledge the mistakes I make and grow from them, I can catch myself before I blame-shift.
– G. M. (12th grade, one year after the program)
“[The program] allowed me to see the world in a dramatically different and healing light. I feel that your teachings allowed me to think of alternative methods to approaching conflicts that strays from anger and cynicism . . . you've taught me the strength of kindness and understanding, I've learned to think about context, to try to understand people and the world around me, and to actively navigate my life with integrity and hope. My relationships with my family, friends, and acquaintances have grown stronger because of this. . . . The important part is that you don't tell people what to do or think. You let them be themselves and find their own paths. You just give them knowledge of other choices they can make. It's a method of thinking and not a way to think. This is definitely not common.
“It doesn’t matter what age you are. You always need to self-assess, analyze, and be open to reflect and notice what you’re doing, so you can try to improve and catch yourself. I think I’ve been more aware . . . because I catch myself. . . . I just want to say that it’s never too late for transformation and I think what this has helped me to build is a consciousness and an awareness of everyone around me. Most of all, I would sum it in one word which would be hope. The word ‘hope’ and to say that even though you see me at this age, my journey has just begun, that’s what I’d like to say.”
“You transformed our lives into something better, I will always believe in you and I will always trust you. . . .I can see what others might be feeling because you said about the emotions and everything, so it’s easier to catch what people are feeling. . . . always give compliments to people even though they’re not nice to you.
“[With 10% of the material provided], I have changed 70% of my life. . . .What I learned from these last 13 weeks is to be a different person with myself and with others. Before I would just keep things to myself a lot, now I’d rather share it. Before I’d be more quiet, but now I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts.”
About 3 years ago, I got sick. I went to the doctors and they told me they didn’t know what it was. And that if they did operate in the future, it affects me and having kids. I was very scared, so I told Sarai. She prayed for me in the room back there. Every since then, I haven’t gotten any kind of hurt or any kind of pain anywhere. It’s great because I had the pain over 2 years and it would always come back and leave. Come back. Every since Sarai prayed for me, it hasn’t came back.
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