There She Goes From Laid Off to Building Her Empire – with Mikki McCleery

What happens when the career you thought would last forever suddenly ends?In this episode, I sit down with Mikki McCleery, founder of Passion Threads Co and Solutions by Mikki, to talk about navigating layoffs, burnout, entrepreneurship, confidence, and the power of community.After spending over 10 years working as a paralegal, Mikki unexpectedly got laid off — a moment that initially felt shocking and painful, but ultimately became the catalyst for stepping fully into entrepreneurship and building a more aligned life.This conversation explores the emotional reality behind career transitions, the importance of supportive relationships, and how women can begin trusting themselves enough to pursue what’s truly on their hearts.🎧 In this episode, we talk about:• Mikki’s transition from paralegal to entrepreneur• How a layoff became a blessing in disguise• Corporate burnout and feeling underappreciated• Building confidence through action and resourcefulness• The importance of community and support systems• Passion Threads and the meaning behind empowering apparel• Learning to say “Nope. Period.”• Delegation, backend business support, and Solutions by Mikki• Balancing motherhood, health, and entrepreneurship• Why trying matters more than perfection💌 Wear the InspirationIf this episode spoke to you…wait until you see the shirts 💖Passion Threads Co isn’t just apparel. It’s wearable reminders of confidence, courage, boundaries, and becoming the woman you’re meant to be ✨Whether you need a little “Nope. Period.” energy or a reminder to “Be Afraid. Do It Anyways.”, Mikki’s collections are such a beautiful extension of this conversation.Use code TSG10 for 10% off your first order 💌 Shop the collection here. 🔗 Connect with MikkiInstagramWebsiteSubscribe to her newsletter📖 Featured ResourceMikki and I are two of the co-authors of the book This Time It’s Personal: Building a Life, a Business, and a Self That Actually Fits. If either of our stories inspire you and you want to learn more, you can purchase the book on Amazon.⏱️ Timestamps3:14 Mikki’s background as a paralegal6:04 The layoff moment + emotional reaction8:07 “Everything is figureoutable” mindset9:05 Learning to be scrappy and resourceful10:05 The importance of community and support systems12:28 Navigating fear and financial uncertainty after layoffs14:00 The power of having a supportive partner15:24 Corporate burnout + feeling underappreciated16:58 Why the layoff became a blessing in disguise17:49 The story behind Passion Threads19:00 “Nope. Period.” and learning to say no22:12 Burnout, overcommitment, and self-betrayal23:58 Mikki’s non-negotiables + health routines25:34 Embodying confidence through clothing and mindset27:34 The story behind Solutions by Mikki30:20 Delegation as an investment, not a cost33:25 Becoming happier after the layoff36:08 Teaching her son there are more options in life37:11 Why support systems matter so much38:27 “If something’s at your heart… go for it.”39:49 How to connect with MikkiFollow @thereshegoesclub for updates and community events.Join the There She Goes Club to activate joy, fun, and wonder back into your life.