Hardwired for Growth 2.0: Stop Guessing, Start Growing!

In this episode of the Corporate Escapee Podcast, Nina Sossamon-Pogue shares her multifaceted journey from being a U.S. gymnast to a successful journalist, and then transitioning into the tech industry.

She discusses the challenges she faced, including injuries and career setbacks, and emphasizes the importance of resilience, storytelling, and mindset in navigating life's transitions. Nina provides valuable insights on identifying personal skills, the significance of positive language, and the necessity of building a supportive network. She also introduces her framework for resilience, TIPS, and encourages listeners to envision their ideal life and take proactive steps towards it.

Takeaways

• Nina emphasizes the importance of resilience in navigating life's challenges.
• She encourages listeners to identify their skills and how they can transfer to new opportunities.
• Storytelling is a crucial skill in business and personal branding.
• It's essential to visualize what you want your life to look like.
• Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship requires a mindset shift.
• Understanding the phases of life can help in managing expectations and experiences.
• Creating a personal timeline can provide clarity on past experiences and future goals.
• Positive language can significantly impact your mindset and how others perceive you.
• Building a support network is vital for success and personal growth.
• Nina's TIPS framework offers a structured approach to overcoming challenges.

Sound Bites

• "It's okay to not be okay, but not to stay that way."
• "Your words become your reality."
• "You're either giving energy or taking energy."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Nina's Journey

03:08 Navigating Life's Challenges and Career Transitions

06:06 Finding Your Skills and Purpose

09:02 The Importance of Storytelling in Business

11:48 Identifying What You Want in Life

14:54 The Shift from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

18:14 Understanding Time and Life's Phases

20:56 Creating Your Own Life Timeline

23:45 The Power of Language and Mindset

27:04 Building a Support Network

29:59 Framework for Resilience: TIPS

33:00 Skill Stacking for Career Success

36:02 Mindset for Job Seekers

38:55 The Importance of Positive Language

41:56 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Projects

Hear from a recent corporate escapee and her journey so far.

Adrienne Farrell is a corporate wellness consultant and the founder of the InnovateHerLab, a community for women exploring their career paths. She focuses on women's health and well-being in the workplace, recognizing the need to elevate this issue. 

Adrienne's journey to becoming an escapee started when she experienced layoffs and a toxic work environment. She decided to take a leap of faith and prioritize her own voice and values. 

She is passionate about advocating for women's health and believes that the corporate world needs to change to better support women. 

Adrienne is currently balancing her corporate wellness consulting work with her side project, the InnovateHer Lab. 

The conversation explores the opportunities and challenges of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship. They discuss the benefits of being your authentic self, the rise of fractional work, and the importance of networking and finding a supportive community. They also touch on time management and prioritization as key factors in the success of solo entrepreneurs. The conversation ends with advice for those considering the entrepreneurial journey.

Adrienne’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriennel-farrell/

Website: adriennefarrell.com/ 

Takeaways

• Adrienne's transition from corporate to escapee was motivated by her desire for work-life balance, flexibility, and the ability to advocate for her own values.
• She is passionate about addressing the gap in women's health and well-being in the workplace and believes that organizations have a social responsibility to prioritize this issue.
• Adrienne's experience in setting up wellness programs in corporate roles has informed her current work as a corporate wellness consultant.
• She emphasizes the importance of having a support network and community when navigating the transition from corporate to escapee. Being your authentic self brings the most value and happiness.
• Fractional work offers flexibility and cost-effectiveness for companies.
• Building a supportive network and community is crucial for success.
• Time management and prioritization are key skills for solo entrepreneurs.
• Give yourself grace and embrace the learning process.

Sound Bites

• "There's a real need to elevate women's health within the workplace."
• "Finding your community allows for authentic, transparent conversations without jeopardizing your current career."
• "Having the freedom of voice and advocating for what's important to me is incredibly rewarding and empowering."
• "The opportunity, I guess more than anything"
• "There are opportunities to create the work that you want"
• "The future of work is heading this way"

Keywords

corporate wellness, women's health, career exploration, escapee, toxic work environment, work-life balance, flexibility, support network, entrepreneurship, corporate life, authenticity, fractional work, networking, community, time management, prioritization, advice

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:37 Adrienne's Work: Corporate Wellness and the Innovate Her Lab

05:07 Transitioning from Corporate to Escapee

08:29 Finding Your Voice and Advocating for What's Important

12:45 Addressing the Gap in Women's Health in the Workplace

15:30 Balancing Corporate Wellness Consulting and the Innovate Her Lab

20:00 Approaching Time and Focus as an Escapee

22:10 Transitioning from Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship

23:06 The Opportunity of...

In this episode, Laine Belcastro shares her journey from corporate marketing to becoming a solopreneur and email marketing consultant. 

Laine discusses the importance of networking, finding your niche, and the challenges of pricing strategies. Laine emphasizes the significance of email marketing for business growth and introduces her new venture, Accountability Arcade, aimed at helping entrepreneurs set and achieve short-term goals. 

The conversation highlights the balance of multiple revenue streams and the mindset shifts necessary for success in the solopreneur world.

Laine’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lainemb/

Website: https://lmbdigimarketing.com/ 

Takeaways

• Laine has her own email marketing automation consulting business.
• Networking is crucial for solopreneurs to find opportunities.
• It's important to focus on a niche to avoid burnout.
• Pricing should reflect the value provided, not just time spent.
• Email marketing is a powerful tool for brand recognition.
• Consistency in email outreach is key to staying top of mind.
• Accountability can help entrepreneurs achieve their goals more effectively.
• Starting with a simple nurture program can keep contacts engaged.
• You don't need to have everything figured out to start your business.
• Taking action is more important than waiting for the perfect plan.

Sound Bites

• "I'd rather be homeless than go back to corporate."
• "Networking is key for solopreneurs."
• "You don't need a website to get started."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:02 Accountability Arcade Service

03:43 Leaving Corporate America and Starting a Business

07:57 The Power of Networking

10:01 Finding Your Niche and Specializing

13:19 Pricing Models for Solopreneurs

17:39 Flexible Pricing and Meeting Customer Needs

19:32 Effective Email Marketing Strategies

27:35 Creating an Accountability Group

31:25 Balancing Multiple Revenue Streams

34:16 Taking Action and Diving into Entrepreneurship

Jaidin McCann, owner of Jasper Consultancy, shares her journey of starting her own executive search firm and offering fractional work. She emphasizes the importance of personal branding and networking in the fractional space. McCann advises individuals to specialize in a specific area and build a strong referral network. She also highlights the need for market research and understanding the buyer's market. McCann encourages individuals to take the leap into fractional work and enjoy the journey.

Jaidin McCann Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaidinmccann/
• Jasper Consultancy: https://www.jasperconsultancy.com/ 

Takeaways

• Specialize in a specific area and build a strong personal brand to differentiate yourself in the fractional space.
• Networking and building relationships with others in the industry is crucial for success in fractional work.
• Conduct market research to understand the needs and demands of the market and position yourself accordingly.
• Embrace the challenges and enjoy the journey of starting your own business in the fractional space.

Sound Bites

• "It's more work than you think it is, but it's so worth it."
• "The world is so much smaller than we think."
• "You can eliminate the negative people and choose who you want to work with."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:00 Starting a Fractional Business: Personal Branding and Networking

08:03 Building a Strong Referral Network in the Fractional Space

14:05 Understanding the Buyer's Market: Market Research in Fractional Work

21:23 Advice for Individuals Pursuing Fractional Work

29:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This is an audio recording of a recent Happy Hour and Learn Session for members of the Escapee Collective community. Jake Stahl shares his advice, perspective and best practices for thriving as a fractional leader.

Jake Stall discusses the concept of fractional work and shares his experience in the field. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking in order to succeed as a fractional professional. Jake also provides insights on pricing strategies and how to ask for referrals. He promotes the upcoming Frac 2024 conference as a valuable opportunity for learning and networking in the fractional industry.

Guest Links:

Jake Stahl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestahl/ 

Frak2024: https://fractionalconference.com/ 

Takeaways

• Fractional work involves providing a certain amount of time and expertise to a company in return for high-level guidance and leadership.
• Building strong relationships and networking are crucial for success in the fractional industry.
• Pricing strategies should focus on the value provided rather than competing on price.
• Asking for referrals is an effective way to generate new business in the fractional field.
• The Frac 2024 conference is a valuable opportunity for learning and networking in the fractional industry.

Sound Bites

• "Networking is not about attending as many groups as possible, but about being involved in quality groups where you can build meaningful relationships."
• "The more interest you show in someone, the higher your chances of getting a contract with them."
• "The higher your price, the more people perceive value and are willing to pay for your services."

Debbie Schwake and Ashley Evenson discuss their escapee journeys and how they formed a collaborative partnership. They emphasize the importance of collaboration and transparency in their working relationship. They have their own independent businesses but also work together on projects, leveraging each other's strengths. 

They highlight the flexibility and work-life balance that comes with being a solo entrepreneur. They see a growing need for fractional talent in the consulting industry, particularly among small to mid-tier companies. Their target audience is those who need an outside perspective and expertise to help with business issues and growth plans. 

Ashley and Debbie discuss their unique position as consultants with both big brand and industry experience, providing expert-level consulting to small and medium-sized companies at a fraction of the cost. They emphasize the importance of being hands-on and implementing recommendations, rather than just providing advice. They also highlight the value of an outside-in perspective and the need for validation and direction, rather than relying solely on tools. 

Networking is a key strategy for both of them, focusing on building relationships and offering support without asking for business. They stress the importance of belief in oneself and the power of humanizing your brand through video and personal connections.

Guest Links

Debbie Schwake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dschwake/ 

Ashely Evenson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyevenson/

Website: https://andcoalition.com/ 

Takeaways

• Collaboration and transparency are key in forming successful partnerships.
• Having independent businesses allows for flexibility and work-life balance.
• There is a growing need for fractional talent in the consulting industry.
• Small to mid-tier companies can benefit from outside expertise and an outside-in perspective.
• Working together on projects allows for leveraging each other's strengths. Consultants with big brand and industry experience can provide expert-level consulting to small and medium-sized companies at a fraction of the cost.
• Being hands-on and implementing recommendations is crucial for success in consulting.
• Small and medium-sized companies often need an outside-in perspective and validation, rather than relying solely on tools.
• Networking is a valuable strategy for consultants, focusing on building relationships and offering support without asking for business.
• Belief in oneself is essential when starting a business, and humanizing your brand through video and personal connections can be powerful.

Titles

• Targeting Small to Mid-Tier Companies
• The Power of Collaboration and Transparency The Importance of an Outside-In Perspective
• Belief in Oneself and Humanizing Your Brand

Sound Bites

• "There's so much opportunity in the more the synergy you put together and the shared values."
• "You can't get into a partnership like this without that commitment to one another to make sure everything's always above the board."
• "Part of this is about life flexibility. Part of this is about getting that balance back in your life."
• "We come from very big consultant brands, but also industry experience."
• "We will go there, advise, have that outside...

Kate Kompelien, founder of The Insight, shares her journey as a customer experience consultant and qualitative researcher. She helps companies understand key moments that matter to their customers and identifies pain points that hinder a better customer experience. Kate started her own business after realizing she wanted to focus on smaller projects and provide a more personalized experience for her clients. She emphasizes the importance of networking and building relationships, both with people she knows and with new connections. Kate also highlights the value of face-to-face meetings and taking a genuine interest in others' businesses and lives. Kate Kompelien shares her journey of starting her own customer experience consulting business. She discusses her core offerings, the industries she works with, and the size of companies she targets. Kate also talks about her three-pronged approach to acquiring clients: direct, subcontracting, and referrals. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying revenue streams and being open to different opportunities. Kate encourages listeners to believe in themselves, take risks, and have fun in their entrepreneurial journey.

Kate’s Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katekompelien/

Website: https://www.theinsightshopllc.com/

Takeaways

• Focus on your sweet spots and provide a personalized experience for your clients.
• Networking and building relationships are crucial for finding new opportunities.
• Take a genuine interest in others' businesses and lives during networking meetings.
• Face-to-face meetings can be valuable for establishing connections and building trust. Identify your core offerings and consider peripheral offerings to round out your total offering.
• Industry is less important in customer experience and qualitative research work.
• Target companies with a billion dollars or less in revenue, as they often lack a full customer experience team.
• Diversify your revenue streams by working directly with clients, subcontracting, and forming referral partnerships.
• Believe in yourself, take risks, and have fun in your entrepreneurial journey.

Titles

• Finding Success as a Customer Experience Consultant
• The Importance of Face-to-Face Meetings in Networking Believing in Yourself and Taking Risks
• Diversifying Revenue Streams in Consulting

Sound Bites

• "I'm really trying to help companies understand those key moments that matter to their customers and what are those pain points that are getting in the way that they need to solve to provide a better experience, higher customer retention."
• "It's been a combination of getting customers on my own, working with some research companies for fill-in work, and then having some partners where I can be their customer experience resource on projects."
• "Most people are happy to have conversations and hear what you're up to. And I love to hear what other people are doing because you kind of shared some space. Maybe they're doing something you can help with."
• "I really wanted to focus in on those two spaces as my core and looking for work around the core."
• "I'm working in very different industries. I like to call them the manly industries of the trades."
• "My focus is a billion dollars or less, because generally those industries and those companies don't have a full customer experience team."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Kate's Work

06:27 Building Relationships and Networking

10:24 The Importance of Following Up

12:52 Sales and Running Your Own Business

14:47 Finding Opportunities in a Competitive Market

17:48 Focusing on Your Sweet...

This bonus episode is a recording of a panel discussion we had during one of the Escapee Collective educational sessions. I had 4 escapees share their strategies and tips for effective networking

The conversation focuses on the importance of networking and provides tips and strategies for effective networking. The speakers discuss the value of building relationships, finding the right networking opportunities, and targeting ideal clients. They emphasize the need to give before asking for anything in return and the importance of establishing trust and credibility. The conversation also touches on the distinction between referrals and introductions and the significance of engaging with content and demonstrating understanding. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights and practical advice for successful networking.

Takeaways

• Building relationships is key to successful networking.
• Find the right networking opportunities and target your ideal clients.
• Give before asking for anything in return.
• Engage with content and demonstrate understanding to establish credibility.
• Differentiate between referrals and introductions.
• Establish trust and credibility before making a pitch.
• Focus on quality connections rather than quantity.
• Engage with thought leaders and comment on their posts to expand your network.
• Personalize your outreach and show genuine interest in the other person.
• Share valuable content to get on someone's radar.
• Establish a clear ideal client profile and referral partner profile.
• Protect and prioritize your top networking connections.
• Establish a reputation as a connector and provide valuable introductions.
• Be patient and focus on building relationships before making an ask.
• Use multiple channels, such as LinkedIn and email, to connect with potential networking contacts.
• Tailor your approach based on the individual and their preferred communication method.

Sound Bites

• "Your vibe attracts your tribe."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Networking

16:05 Building Relationships in Networking

23:27 Defining Ideal Clients and Referral Partners

27:46 Referrals vs. Introductions

31:12 Give Before You Ask: Providing Value

36:03 Engaging with Content and Demonstrating Understanding

39:13 Establishing Trust and Credibility

41:33 Quality Connections Over Quantity

43:01 Conclusion and Call to Action

Eileen Rochford and Rob Johnson share their stories of escaping the corporate world and starting their own businesses.

Eileen, the CEO of the Harbinger Group, left her job at a PR agency to start her own agency, driven by a desire for a different way of working and a lack of fulfillment in the corporate structure.

Rob, a former television professional, transitioned into consulting after his contract in the media industry was not renewed. Both Eileen and Rob emphasize the importance of building strong relationships with clients and prioritizing trust and partnership. They also discuss the challenges of pricing their services and the need to adapt and pivot in response to changing circumstances.

The conversation explores the concept of value pricing and the benefits of establishing long-term relationships with clients. The guests discuss their approach to pricing, which involves creating a program for clients with a clearly outlined strategy and detailed tactics. They also emphasize the importance of trust and flexibility in client relationships. The conversation touches on the topic of building a solo business and the advantages of hiring specialists on a project basis.

The guests share their insights on networking, highlighting the value of deep, meaningful connections over quantity. They stress the importance of authenticity and a long-term mindset in networking.

Guest Links:

Eileen Rochford:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenrochford/
• Website: https://theharbingergroup.com/

Rob Johnson:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-johnson-communications-advisor/
• Website: https://www.rj47llc.com/

Takeaways

• Leaving the corporate world to start your own business requires careful planning and consideration.
• Building strong relationships with clients and prioritizing trust is crucial for long-term success.
• Pricing services can be challenging, but it's important to understand the value you provide and adjust pricing as you gain experience.
• Being adaptable and willing to pivot is essential in the ever-changing business landscape. Value pricing involves creating a program with a clearly outlined strategy and detailed tactics for clients.
• Establishing trust and flexibility in client relationships is crucial for success.
• Building a solo business allows for more control over time and work-life balance.
• Networking should focus on building deep, meaningful connections rather than quantity.
• Authenticity and a long-term mindset are key in networking.

Sound Bites

• "Why do we all have to physically be in the same place?"
• "I'm gonna resign today... I called my husband first, which was probably a good idea."
• "Every time Eileen and I would see each other, it was like, oh my gosh, is every day like this?"
• "We have value pricing in place, which to us means we've constructed a program for you consisting of X number of campaigns."
• "I just think it's so much easier... I mean, nobody wants to see that."
• "It just makes so much more sense to build relationships in the business comes with it."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Multiple Guests

00:41 Escaping the Corporate World: Eileen's Story

04:04 Transitioning from Television to Consulting: Rob's Journey

07:08 Building Strong Client Relationships and Trust

09:35 Navigating Pricing Challenges

13:07 The Importance of Adaptability and Pivoting

26:10 Value Pricing and Constructing a Program

28:44 Building a Solo Business and Hiring Specialists

32:38 The Importance of Trust and Flexibility in Client Relationships

39:36 Networking: Quality Over Quantity

44:37 Authenticity