She Got Fired at 46 — It Changed Everything

In this powerful and deeply inspiring episode of the ASQ Podcast, Dr. Jessie and Omar sit down with Merry Korn — entrepreneur, author, and social impact leader — whose journey from fear and uncertainty to building a purpose-driven company challenges how we define failure, purpose, and success. Merry’s story begins long before business. It begins with survival. As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, she grew up surrounded by stories of courage, resilience, and life-or-death decisions. That legacy stayed with her. But her own path wasn’t clear. For decades, she felt stuck— torn between business and purpose… wanting to make an impact, but not knowing how. Until everything changed. At 46 years old — a single mother with two daughters — she was fired. No plan. No income. No certainty. Just fear… and silence. And in that silence — she asked for help. What followed was a moment she couldn’t ignore: A quiet answer. A direction she didn’t understand… but chose to trust anyway. That decision led to something bigger. A company that would go on to employ over 1,300 people across 30 states — creating opportunities for those facing the greatest barriers to employment. This episode explores: • What happens when everything falls apart • The power of faith, intuition, and taking the next step • Why you don’t need all the answers to begin • How purpose can be built—not just found • Turning adversity into meaningful, lasting impact Today, Merry helps others navigate uncertainty, discover their purpose, and take action—even when the path isn’t clear. Because sometimes… The worst moment in your life becomes the beginning of everything. Connect with Merry Korn:  Website: https://firedtoinspired.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merry.korn.883330 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrykornfired/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykorn/ #ASQPodcast #Purpose #Resilience #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact #SelfDiscovery #Leadership