Brian Belardi
When Sara Gonzalez ’15 completed her MA in English at Chapman University’s Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, her path seemed clear. Having always been drawn to language and teaching, she began her career as an educator, where she found a natural fit.
“Teaching is what I was born to do,” says Gonzalez, who teaches English as a second language at College of the Desert and English courses at Santa Monica College, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College and East Los Angeles College.
But as she honed her skills in the classroom, Gonzalez began to recognize how her expertise with language could solve problems in the business world. This insight led her to launch Rexpert Marketing, a digital marketing agency that has grown to a team of 13 in just six years, all while she continues her teaching career.
“Our clients make money off our work, so why wouldn’t I monetize a skill set that I have?” Gonzalez explains. This practical approach has worked well for the Palm Desert-based CEO, whose agency grows solely through client referrals without needing a dedicated sales team.
The Language of Success
Gonzalez’s writing skills and deep understanding of language give her agency an advantage. While competitors often focus primarily on visuals, her team crafts words that connect with specific audiences in their unique contexts.
“For an HVAC company during 125-degree weather, people want fast answers. But for a Pilates studio in LA, we create inviting language that makes someone feel they’ve found their perfect fit,” she explains.
This ability to adapt messaging stems from her Chapman education. “At Chapman, we learned how to think about words in new ways,” she notes. Now she helps businesses communicate effectively with their ideal customers.
Entrepreneurial Inspiration in an Unexpected Place
The planning methods Gonzalez learned at Chapman shaped her business approach. She points to Professor Emeritus Myron Yeager as a model for her work practices.
“I saw that every time he came to class, he had notes—like a roadmap for the day,” Gonzalez says. “Now I create my own roadmap each morning. It helps me balance everything because I know exactly where I’m headed.”
This systematic approach allows Gonzalez to manage her growing marketing business while continuing her teaching career. The time management skills from her intensive master’s program became valuable tools for her entrepreneurial path.
Finding Stories in Data
The research skills Gonzalez gained during her English master’s program became key business assets. “We know how to find the right words and back them up with substance,” she explains to potential clients.
“When we explain to clients the importance of language, then shift the conversation to our background in English, they understand the value,” Gonzalez says. “We explain how we use language to help them close deals.”
What sets Rexpert Marketing apart is their understanding that websites aren’t just digital brochures. “Some people think having a website is just having a pretty postcard,” Gonzalez notes. “We explain the way language works and how that language needs to meet what their audience is looking for.”
Balancing Passion and Entrepreneurship
While Rexpert Marketing thrives, Gonzalez maintains her role as an adjunct professor. “Teaching is literally what I was born for. It feels so natural,” she says. Now in her eleventh year of teaching, she’s structured her business to accommodate both worlds.
“I needed to figure out a way to not be on the steering wheel for the five hours that I can be working,” Gonzalez explains. Her solution was to build a capable team that could implement her vision while she divides her time between entrepreneurship and education.
This dual career path enriches both pursuits. Her analytical thinking informs marketing approaches, while her business experience gives students real-world context. “At the end of the day, all of us need language,” she tells her students, “and English is going to help you succeed at any career choice you make.”
A Degree That Delivers
Gonzalez’s journey from literature seminars to client strategies demonstrates how Chapman prepares students for varied career directions beyond traditional paths.
“Words matter in every field—not just in essays but in how businesses connect with people,” Gonzalez says. “Chapman taught me that good communication opens doors. That perspective makes any degree a business advantage.”
For students considering an English degree but concerned about career prospects, Gonzalez has clear advice drawn from her own experience: “You’re always going to need language. And English is definitely always going to be beneficial, no matter what career choice you make.”
Learn more about Chapman’s Master of Arts in English.
