Episode 109: Second Act Success: Turning Past Experience into Entrepreneurial Gold

Transitioning Careers: Leveraging Life Skills for Business Growth

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In Episode 109 we share how our previous professional lives have armed us with invaluable skills that are now central to our entrepreneurial successes. We explored problem-solving on the fly, the importance of past experiences, and how we’ve leveraged these to survive and thrive in our current ventures. Here are the highlights from our discussion:

Problem-Solving on the Fly

I’ll (Corry here )never forget the days I spent managing a classroom full of young children during my time as a kindergarten teacher. One instance that stands out was when I was handed a new classroom mid-year, filled with struggling students. It was challenging, but I had to quickly adapt and create individualized approaches for each child. This experience taught me how to command attention and multi-task—skills that are integral in my role today as a brand strategist.

And as a former wedding photographer (Melissa here), I share similar sentiments. Weddings are unpredictable, and dealing with uncooperative guests or mishaps requires immediate problem-solving. These high-pressure situations helped me develop quick decision-making skills, which have been invaluable in my new role as a confidence and business coach for female founders. This ability to think on our feet has moved with us into our new ventures, proving that each challenge faced equips us for future success.

Teaching Background and Skill Sets

Transitioning from teaching to business was not a straightforward path. I had to balance teaching, parenting, and building my photography business, especially during my husband’s deployments. However these experiences taught me curriculum and strategy building, helping in the structuring of our coaching programs. These skills are a direct result of my teaching background.

And the importance of communication and marketing skills, something I honed with my degree in communications from the University of Georgia. My unexpected discovery of a knack for copywriting during a retreat crisis further added to my skill set. Corry often calls me a “word magician” because I have the ability to articulate compelling narratives effortlessly. The combined power of our diverse skills enables us to offer comprehensive coaching and business advice to our clients.

Family First Approach

One of the recurring themes in our episode was how we both prioritize family time. Melissa’s journey is particularly inspiring. Balancing her daughter’s competitive sports season with a hectic wedding photography schedule required immense sacrifices. Reflecting on her mother’s dedication and undergoing a period of prayer and contemplation led her to transition away from wedding photography to prioritize family. Non-negotiables like picking up her kids from school became her guiding principles.

Similarly, Corry experienced significant stress balancing my career and family life, especially with her husband having to live out of state for work for a season. This phase of beta-testing our family dynamics made her realize the importance of knowing her limits. Eventually, they decided that focusing solely on her photography business was the right move.

From Side Hustle to Main Hustle

Our episode also spotlighted the journey from side hustle to main business. We often emphasize that understanding what you want and don’t want in your business is paramount. The Business Reboot began as a side hustle and eventually grew into a six-figure enterprise. The growth was gradual but steadfast, a testament to patience and perseverance.

Our examples serve to illustrate how accumulated professional skills and experiences can significantly contribute to new business ventures. Whether it’s initiating a side hustle with potential or pivoting an existing business, every step taken is built on prior knowledge and skills.

Intensive Sessions for Business Success

Understanding that many business owners seek specific help before committing to long-term collaboration, we’re excited to introduce one-day intensive sessions. These focus on offers, pricing, profitability, content mapping, launch planning, email marketing systems, annual planning, and team organization. Our goal is to set businesses up for success in 2024 and beyond.

Celebrating Milestones and Looking Ahead

We’re filled with gratitude as we celebrate our podcast’s second anniversary. Our journey reflects a shared commitment to supporting our audience while navigating our lives and business seasons.

Don’t forget to connect with us via Instagram or our podcast’s website and tune in next week for more insights on growing or pivoting your business. Here’s to leveraging our past experiences for future success!

Links:

Inquire about a One Time Intensive or Coach With Us: Book a Discovery Call Here

Instagram: @businessreboot

Website: www.thebusinessreboot.com

Blessings,

Corry and Melissa