How I Escaped Corporate: My Conversation on The Maker-Manager Money Podcast

In this special crossover episode, I sit down with Kyle Knowles on Maker-Manager Money to share my journey from 30 years in corporate to building The Escapee Collective and The Collective Academy. We dive deep into why I walked away from corporate life, how I overcame the uncertainty of going solo, and the powerful mindset shifts that made all the difference. We discuss: ✅ The moment I knew I was done with corporate for good ✅ Why finding your first client is easier than landing your next job ✅ How to structure your day as a solo entrepreneur (without guilt) ✅ The hidden inefficiencies of corporate—and how small businesses are leveraging fractional and consulting talent ✅ Why GenXers have all the skills they need to go solo (even if they don’t believe it yet) If you enjoy this discussion, I highly recommend checking out Maker-Manager Money—Kyle has some great conversations with entrepreneurs and business owners. 🎧 Listen to Kyle’s podcast here: Maker-Manager Money Chapters 00:00 The Journey from Corporate to Freedom 02:52 Finding Balance and Managing Time 05:54 Health and Wellness in Entrepreneurship 08:49 Redefining Success Beyond Money 12:07 The Shift to Small Business Opportunities 14:59 The Power of Networking and Finding Clients 18:02 Building the Corporate Escapee Community 21:12 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape 23:56 Embracing Change and Experimentation 29:50 Surprising Insights from the Community 32:01 The Journey of Corporate Escapees 35:02 Building a Supportive Community 38:27 Networking and Collaboration in Business 40:08 The Corporate Escapee Podcast 41:07 Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned 49:14 The Freedom and Challenges of Entrepreneurship