The Corporate Dropout

Toni Carey built her business from the ground floor. What was once a blog "Black Girls RUN!" became a movement with hundreds of running groups across the country. It also became a thriving business. 10 years in, however, it was clear to Toni that all good things must come to an end - so she sold. In this episode, Toni talks us through the heart-wrenching process of selling your business and rebuil...

Video gets 10x more exposure on Facebook than a written post - and a +6x boost if it's LIVE video. It's the most time efficient way to get in front of new customers on social - yet not many brands are doing it. Why? Because the idea of going Live makes you cringe, and you're not alone in that. In this episode, we share strategies for preparation, practice and our first-hand experiences that will h...

A serial entrepreneur, Patrice Tanaka shares how you can find your purpose - and the 10 questions she uses to help individuals and companies do just that. It all began for Patrice 5 months after 9/11, when she found herself in NYC, exhausted from building a business with 12 other partners, while caring for her dying husband. Her executive coach asked her to "rethink" her purpose - and she hardly h...

Jena Proctor left teaching and eventually started a business as a Pinterest Strategist. But she didn't leave teaching with a plan. In many ways, she let this path find her. Jena started off helping online entrepreneurs as a virtual assistant. She focused on serving her clients, but more importantly she listened to their needs. This is how she discovered her Pinterest passion. Listen in for Jena's...

Kristina Knapp is the definition of a comeback story. At 21, she became the number one seller at Michael Kors - and within a year, she was traveling the east coast to help more stores become top performers. Eventually, she took this experience, went back to school and after having other businesses ask her for help, her business Elixir Media Co. was accidentally born. But as the tables turned, just...

Ready to talk money? April and Rachael share tips on how "no" can lead to a bigger budget, why revenue-share is better than profit-share - and that time Rachael's first CEO asked if she was going to "have a tantrum" when she asked for a raise. To learn more, visit the show notes. Connect with Rachael & April on Instagram!

For Jeremy Carey, founder of Ironclad, growing a business is less about staff and office space, and more about culture, influence and brand. His strategy is to grow the caliber and scale of projects through developing relationships. In this episode, Jeremy shares the value of pro bono work, how to grow lean, and why grit and drive beats "talent" every time. To learn more, visit the show notes. Con...

Tina Morey, sommelier and founder of #winestudio, talks about getting out of your own head and making business decisions from an informed space - not out of fear. What you put into it, you get out of it - so think about investing in your education and in relationships that challenge you. She also shares the common themes that emerge over a career, why the word "trend" is misleading, and a few unex...

Mary Kaufman is a perfectionist. It's what makes her an amazing stylist and art director. Even so, she knows the value of flexibility, as her vintage rentals business evolved into something completely unexpected. Mary shares why you should put revenue aside to create value and connections for yourself, and how she built a successful signature event she now hosts four times a year. And of course st...

Rachael and April come together this episode to chat about the ups and downs of business, the letter to future-you that you need to write while business is booming, and how to use your time when business is down. Are you eating PB&Js, starting in a garage? We've all been there. In this episode, we talk about why your business growth depends on people, not just plans made and time spent behind a co...

Not every day can be a life-affirming trip to Bali - but Britany Felix (our podcast editor!) has built a podcasting business that support her adventurous side. Britany shares her story of leaving the corporate world twice, in two drastically different ways - plus how to be both solo and connected. Britany shares her insights from 300+ podcast episodes of her own, plus the hundreds of episodes she...

How much would you give up to stay true to your purpose? In part 2 of our conversation with Mel Charbonneau, we have a number: at least $50,000 per year. Mel talks about making decisions to align your business with your vision. Entrepreneurs often feel misunderstood, but Mel says, "if you let fear win instead of your dream win, you're an unwrapped package we're never going to see. You have gifts a...

You've been there: Your boss is asking you to perform your role rather than be the person in the role. You're asked to conform, told to set aside who you are and what you're great at to meet the organization's needs. That's just how it is, right? Mel Charbonneau strongly disagrees. When she was told her independent streak was not an asset to the organization, she changed everything. Because as Mel...

It's the riskiest thing she's ever done - and a little out of character. Rachel Henson quit her job two weeks ago, and she's navigating working weekends, marketing and newfound freedom as a full time baker and new business owner. Are all entrepreneurs renegades and rebels? No way. When the desire to run the show yourself is there, however, there is no ignoring it. As Rachel says, you owe it to you...

If you don't have it all figured out, is it okay to show up anyway? This was the question Megan Hogan asked Gary Vaynerchuk when she gifted herself a 5-minute consult with him for her 30th birthday. Her takeaway was this: It's okay to learn out loud. As a military spouse on the move, Megan became an expert at being the "beginner" in her businesses. She shares why you need to get scrappy and make s...

Passion projects take up your lunch hour, weekend and every daydreaming moment… so maybe it's time to quit your job and start your business. This is exactly how it happened for Dhalia Edwards, when demand for her make-up services just kept coming. Dhalia started her business and built a team to deliver the flawless look she was known for. Dhalia shares why trust and a support network are important...

Ever get the feeling it's time to move on? For Lisa Gerber, that itch strikes every 5 years or so. That doesn't mean it's comfortable. Lisa talks about her big leap: moving to a mountain in Idaho to start her business. Lisa shares what to do when business slows (because it will), and how to break into the speaking circuit. Don't wait for perfect timing.   To learn more, visit the show notes .   Co...

In this introduction to The Corporate Dropout podcast, you'll get to meet the hosts and hear their reason for why they wanted to start this podcast. Whether you're just starting to feel corporate burnout, planning your escape or a seasoned entrepreneur, this podcast offers practical advice so you can stay inspired and crush your goals. It's time to live free of the Sunday scaries. Drop out with us...