Coaching & Mentoring Services

Transformative Coaching That Turns Setbacks Into Success

MPK Enterprise coaching and mentoring services are designed for entrepreneurs who refuse to let challenges define their destiny. Drawing from our collective transformative journeys – including experiences from corporate setbacks to founding successful social enterprises like Pearl Interactive Network, Inc. – we offer a deeply personalized approach that begins with understanding exactly where you are in your business cycle.

Our Approach

Together, our team will assess your current position, clarify your vision, establish realistic timelines for execution, and identify the resources at your disposal. What sets our practice apart is the collaborative construction of your strategic plan, combining our hard-won expertise in startup execution, government contracting, and social enterprise development with your unique strengths and circumstances.

What Sets MPK Enterprise Apart

“This isn’t theoretical guidance – it’s battle-tested wisdom from a team that understands your greatest setback could become the catalyst for your most remarkable achievement.”

Our Coaching Capabilities

Startup Execution

Turn your business idea into reality with proven strategies for launching and scaling your venture. From vision to execution, we’ll guide you through every critical step with frameworks that have been tested in real-world scenarios.

Resilience Building

Learn how to bounce back stronger from setbacks and challenges. Develop the mental fortitude and strategic thinking needed to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship with confidence.

Team Development

Build high-performing teams that share your vision and drive measurable results. Master the art of leadership, effective communications, and creating a winning culture that attracts and retains top talent.

Government Contracting

Navigate the complex world of government contracts with confidence and precision. Learn the tools, processes, and insider strategies that have made Pearl Interactive Network successful in securing lucrative contracts.

Women Business Owners

Specialized coaching for women entrepreneurs facing unique challenges in today’s business landscape. Break through barriers, overcome imposter syndrome and build the successful enterprise you deserve.

Social Enterprise Development

Create businesses that generate sustainable profit while making a measurable positive social impact. Learn how to build enterprises that matter to both your bottom line and your community.

Recommendations for MPK Enterprise Coaching & Mentoring Services

• Facing Fear Head On: The Five Questions That Neutralize Paralyzing Fear

  Fear has an extraordinary ability to make an uncertain future feel like a certain disaster.

  After you’ve been fired, your mind can race ahead at breathtaking speed.

  What if I don’t find another job? What if the money runs out? What if I have to change my lifestyle? What if nobody wants to hire me? What if I’ve made the wrong choices? What if everything falls apart?

  Before long, you’ve traveled from losing your job to imagining the complete collapse of your life.

  I know that spiral.

  But I also learned something important about fear: Fear is often most powerful when it remains vague.

  When you drag it out into the light, name it, examine it, and decide what you would actually do if the thing you fear happened, it begins to lose some of its power.

  If fear has you frozen right now, grab a pen and paper.

  Don’t rush through these questions. Sit with each one and write down your answers.

  1. What’s the Absolute Worst Outcome Possible?

  Start by naming what you’re actually afraid of.

  What specifically are you afraid will happen?

  Maybe you’re afraid you won’t find a comparable job. Maybe you’re worried you’ll have to live on less money. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ll need to sell your house, postpone retirement, change careers, or explain to people that the life you thought was secure suddenly isn’t.

  Write it down.

  What is the absolute worst realistic outcome you can imagine?

  This might feel counterintuitive. Why deliberately think about the thing you’re trying desperately not to think about?

  Because unnamed fears grow.

  They become enormous shadows lurking in the background of everything you do.

  Once you put words around the fear, you can begin examining it rather than simply reacting to it.

  And sometimes when you finally look directly at what you’re most afraid of, you realize something surprising:

  It’s difficult. But it isn’t insurmountable.

  2. Could I Survive the Worst-Case Scenario?

  Now look at what you wrote and ask yourself:

  Could I survive this?

  In most cases, the answer is yes.

  You might not like it.

  Your life might look different for a while. You may need to make uncomfortable decisions or change plans you thought were settled.

  But different doesn’t mean destroyed.

  Think about what you’ve already survived.

  Losses. Disappointments. Mistakes. Humiliations. Relationships that ended. Plans that collapsed. Moments when you had absolutely no idea how things were going to work out.

  And yet, somehow, you’re still here.

  You adapted.

  You figured things out.

  You created a new normal.

  There is something powerful about realizing that even if the thing you fear most actually happened, you would still have choices.

  3. What Would I Do If the Worst Actually Happened?

  This is where fear begins turning into strategy.

  Create a Plan B.

  If you haven’t found work within three months, what would you do?

  Six months?

  What expenses could temporarily be reduced? What resources are available? Could you freelance or consult? Take temporary work? Sell something you no longer need? Change your living arrangements? Reach out to someone for help?

  You have options if the worse case scenario happens.

  Write your contingency plan now, while you are calm and hopefully weeks or months away from ever needing it.

  There is tremendous peace in knowing:

  If this happens, here’s what I’ll do.

  Your Plan B

  simply needs to remind you that even in the scenario you fear most, you are not powerless.

  4. What Could Become Possible Because This Happened?

  This is the question that can change everything.

  Instead of asking only:

  What might I lose?

  Ask:

  What might now be possible that wasn’t possible before?

  Pearl Interactive Network, inc. was born in the great abyss that followed my firing.

  At the time, I certainly wasn’t sitting around thinking, Isn’t this wonderful? I wonder what fabulous opportunity will come from this?

  I was scared.

  But losing my job created something I hadn’t had before.

  Urgency. Availability. Openness. Humility. And a suddenly clear calendar accompanied by an all-consuming need to figure out what came next.

  Eventually, that uncomfortable empty space became the place where I discovered my life’s  work. Pearl would ultimately employ 1,300 people across thirty states.

  Would that have happened if I had remained comfortably employed?

  I don’t know.

  But I do know that losing my job forced me outside the boundaries of the life I already knew.

  Your World Can Get Bigger

  Something else happens when you’re suddenly unemployed: your conversations change.

  When you’re comfortably working, you tend to network within your lane. You talk to people in your company, profession, and industry.

  When that structure disappears, you start talking to different people., attend new events.

  and ask questions more relevant to the opportunities that could be in front of you.

  You are now more more open to explore industries you might never have considered.

  You accept freelance projects, consulting assignments, volunteer opportunities, introductions, and invitations you might previously have declined because you were too busy.

  And one of those seemingly insignificant detours can change everything.

  Katrina, whose story I’ve shared previously, eventually became the owner of one of Ohio’s largest marketing placement firms. She met her future business partner through a freelance project she took because she had lost her job.

  The connection might never have happened otherwise.

  That’s the strange thing about disruption.

  It closes doors.

  But it also changes which doors you’re available to notice.

  Sometimes the job you take simply to pay the bills teaches you something you’ll need later. A person you meet during your transition becomes a mentor, business partner, client, or employer.

  You cannot see those connections when you’re standing at the beginning of the story.

  5. What’s One Thing I Can Do Right Now?

  Finally, bring yourself back to today.

  Right now.

  What is one action you can take?

  Make one phone call.

  Send one email.

  Schedule one informational interview.

  Research one company.

  Update one section of your LinkedIn profile.

  Go for a walk.

  Call someone who successfully reinvented their career and ask how they did it.

  The action doesn’t have to be enormous.

  It just has to move you.

  One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned about fear is deceptively simple:

  Action Overcomes Fear.

  Fear wants you sitting still, imagining everything that could go wrong.

  Action forces your attention toward what you can do.

  One action leads to another. A phone call leads to a conversation. A conversation leads to an introduction. An introduction leads to an opportunity you didn’t know existed.

  You rarely know which small action will matter most when you take it.

  You just have to take one.

  Fear Doesn’t Get the Final Vote

  Getting fired can make you feel as though control of your life has been taken away from you.

  Someone else made a decision.

  Someone else ended the job.

  Someone else disrupted the future you thought you had planned.

  But they don’t get to decide what happens with the rest of your story.

  When fear begins taking over, come back to these five questions:

  What’s the worst realistic thing that could happen? Could I survive it? What would I do if it happened? What new possibilities might this disruption create? And what is one thing I can do right now?

  You don’t have to eliminate fear before moving forward.

  You just have to stop giving fear the authority to decide what you do next.

  Name the fear. Make the plan. Look for the possibility. Take the next step.

  And then do it again tomorrow.

  Turn Your Fear Into Your Next Step

  If you’re trying to figure out what comes next after losing your job, you don’t need to solve your entire future today.

  You need a place to begin.

  The free Fired to Inspired workbook was created to help you slow down, work through what happened, identify what really matters to you, and begin exploring the possibilities for what comes next.

  Use it to get your fears out of your head and onto paper. Examine them. Challenge them. Then start creating a path toward work and a life that are more intentionally aligned with who you are now.

  Because the question isn’t simply:

  “What if everything goes wrong?”

  Maybe it’s time to start asking another one:

  “What if this disruption leads me somewhere I never would have discovered otherwise?”

  Download my free workbook on Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel on my website at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• The Three-Step Process to Getting an Informational Interview

  In my last article, I talked about why informational interviews can be one of the most powerful tools available to you when you’re trying to figure out what comes next after a job loss. An informational interview is a short, purposeful conversation with someone working in a role, company, or industry you’re curious about. The goal is to learn and know that enough of these interviews could land you with a job or business if done right. You ask about their path, what their work actually involves day to day, the challenges their field is facing, the skills that matter, and where the needs and opportunities are. It’s usually 20 to 30 minutes over coffee, by phone, or on video, and you’re the one asking for it.

  But knowing the value of an informational interview and getting one are two different things.

  The good news is that the process doesn’t need to be complicated.

  Get the interview. Conduct the interview. Follow up.

  Three steps.

  They require some preparation and a little courage, particularly when you’re reaching out to someone you don’t know. But I’ve seen these conversations create extraordinary connections and opportunities.

  Here’s how to get started.

  Step One: Get the Interview

  Start by creating a list of twenty-five people you’d genuinely like to meet.

  Don’t begin by asking, Who can get me a job?

  Ask instead:

  Who could teach me something and who would I want to establish a relationship with?

  Look for people working in roles that interest you. People at companies you admire. People who have made career transitions you’re considering. People doing something that makes you think, I’d really like to know how they got there.

  Some of the names on your list may feel like a stretch.

  Put them down anyway.

  Then do your homework.

  Research the Person

  I cannot stress this enough.

  The more you know about someone before reaching out, the easier it is to make your request personal instead of sounding like another generic networking email.

  Look at their professional background. Read articles they’ve written. Listen to podcasts they’ve appeared on. Look at the organizations they support and boards they serve on.

  Then search for connection points.

  Did you attend the same university?

  Do you know someone in common?

  Are you both involved with the same nonprofit?

  Did they recently write something that genuinely interested you?

  Maybe you discover that both of you have always wanted to publish a book.

  Find the human connection.

  That becomes your way into the conversation.

  And keep your outreach short. Tell them specifically why you’re interested in talking with them and ask for twenty or thirty minutes of their time.

  There is also one important rule:

  Don’t ask them for a job.

  The moment someone thinks, This person wants me to hire them, the dynamic changes.

  Remember, you’re not asking for employment.

  You’re asking for insight. If you do your homework well, your conversation could, with time turn into a job.

  Research the Company, Too

  If you’re approaching someone because you’re interested in their organization, don’t stop your research with the person.

  Learn about the company.

  What does it actually do? What makes it different from its competitors? Is it a small entrepreneurial organization or a large corporate structure? Is it growing? Has it recently announced a new initiative, major contract, acquisition, leadership change, or expansion?

  Look beyond the company’s own website.

  What are employees saying? What kind of reputation does it have? How does leadership communicate? What clues can you find about its culture?

  Culture matters enormously.

  Had I understood the culture at Round the Clock before I accepted the job, I might have recognized some of the red flags much earlier.

  Research isn’t simply about impressing the person you’re meeting.

  It’s also about deciding whether their world is one you actually want to enter.

  Step Two: Conduct the Interview

  You got the meeting.

  Now what?

  First, relax.

  This isn’t a traditional job interview where someone is evaluating whether you meet a list of qualifications.

  It’s a conversation.

  That doesn’t mean you should arrive unprepared.

  Know how to explain who you are and why you’re there in a few sentences.

  For example:

  “I’ve spent twenty years in healthcare marketing and sales, and I’m exploring how my skills and interests might translate into your industry. I’d really like to understand more about your work and how someone with my background might fit into this world.”

  That’s enough.

  You’re providing context, not delivering your entire career history.

  Before the meeting, review your research and prepare questions you genuinely want answered.

  How did they get into the field?

  What do they enjoy most about their work?

  What is changing in the industry?

  What skills are becoming increasingly valuable?

  If they were entering the industry today, what would they do differently?

  Always begin with an  opportunity to establish rapport.

  Perhaps you have a shared alma mater, mutual connection, professional association, hobby, or cause.

  Starting with something you genuinely have in common helps dissolve the professional distance.

  Then let the conversation unfold.

  Be interested.

  Be curious.

  And most importantly, listen.

  You aren’t there to prove how impressive you are.

  You’re there to learn.

  Ironically, genuine curiosity often makes a far stronger impression than trying too hard to impress someone.

  Before you leave, ask one final question:

  “Is there anyone else you think I should talk with?”

  One good informational interview can easily become the doorway to another.

  And another.

  That’s how your network begins expanding in directions you could never have planned

  .

  Step Three: Follow Up

  The meeting doesn’t end when you walk out the door or close the Zoom window.

  In many ways, that’s when the relationship begins.

  Send a thank-you note within twenty-four hours.

  I’m still a believer in handwritten notes whenever practical. They take only a few minutes, and precisely because they’re unusual today, people remember them.

  Connect on LinkedIn.

  If you promised to send an article, resource, introduction, or other information, send it immediately.

  Then—and this is where many people stop too soon—stay in touch.

  If you see an article related to something you discussed, send it.

  If they introduced you to someone, let them know how the conversation went and thank them again.

  If something they suggested helped you, tell them.

  Don’t turn every communication into Do you know of any jobs yet?

  You’re building a relationship.

  Relationships need time.

  You have no idea whether that conversation will lead to something next week, six months from now, or several years from now.

  The Real Power of Informational Interviews

  The ultimate value of informational interviews isn’t simply that they might eventually connect you with a job.

  They change the way you approach your entire career transition.

  After being fired, it’s very easy to start thinking of yourself as:

  Someone who needs a job.

  That mindset can quickly become desperate.

  And desperation changes the way you show up.

  Informational interviewing invites you to see yourself differently.

  You aren’t simply an unemployed person asking someone to give you a chance.

  You are an experienced professional with knowledge, skills, relationships, accomplishments, and something valuable to contribute.

  You’re exploring where those things belong next.

  That is an entirely different conversation.

  Instead of asking:

  Will someone hire me?

  You begin asking:

  Where can my experience create value?

  Instead of waiting for job postings to tell you what’s available, you’re talking with people who can show you possibilities you didn’t know existed.

  You are not trying to squeeze yourself into someone’s job description, you’re beginning to understand where your skills, interests, experience, and purpose intersect with real needs in the world.

  That’s why informational interviews can become such an extraordinary conduit for opportunity.

  A conversation leads to an introduction.

  An introduction leads to another conversation.

  That conversation exposes you to an industry you’d never considered.

  Someone sees something in your experience that you hadn’t recognized yourself.

  And suddenly, the path begins changing.

  Because you started talking to people.

  Your First Step Is Simple

  You don’t need twenty-five informational interviews scheduled tomorrow.

  Start with one informational interview

  Make your list.

  Choose the person you’re most curious about.

  Research them.

  Find the connection.

  Send the email.

  Then see where the conversation takes you.

  You may discover that the opportunity you’ve been searching for isn’t sitting on a job board waiting for you to apply.

  It may be waiting inside a conversation you haven’t had yet.

  Start Exploring Your Next Chapter

  If you’re trying to figure out what comes next after a job loss, the free Fired to Inspired workbook can help you begin sorting through the questions that matter most.

  What do you want now?

  What have your past experiences taught you?

  What skills and strengths do you want to carry forward?

  What industries, organizations, and people are worth exploring?

  Use the workbook to begin identifying the clues, connections, and possibilities that can help you move from simply looking for another job to intentionally building your next chapter.

  Then make your list.

  Choose one person.

  And start a conversation.

  Your next opportunity may begin with something as simple as: “Could I have twenty minutes of your time?”

  Learn more about Informational Interviewing by downloading my free workbook “Informational Interviews – The Holy Grail of Moving Forward” on my website at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• Feeling Fear and Moving Forward Anyway: Eight Practices That Work

  One of the biggest misconceptions about courage is that courageous people aren’t afraid.

  They are.

  Courage is deciding that fear doesn’t get to make your decisions for you.

  After being fired, fear can become a constant companion. It was mine.

  What if I can’t find another job? What if I run out of money? What if I’m too old to start over? What if I choose the wrong path? What if this is as good as it gets?

  I know those thoughts because I’ve had them.

  After I was fired from Round the Clock, I spent far too much time replaying everything I coulda, shoulda, woulda done differently. Then my mind would race in the opposite direction, creating catastrophic visions of a future in which everything went wrong.

  Neither direction helped me move forward.

  Over more than twenty years of teaching courses on courage and fear I’ve discovered practices that can help us move forward even when we’re scared.

  Here are eight that have made the greatest difference.

  1. Establish a Non-Negotiable Exercise Routine

  When your world feels out of control, movement gives you something you desperately need: agency.

  You may not be able to control whether someone will call you for an interview today. You can’t control the economy or undo the decision that eliminated your job.

  But you can get up and move your body.

  You don’t need a gym membership or an elaborate fitness plan. Start by walking for thirty minutes every day if that’s what you can manage.

  Exercise gives structure to days that suddenly have too little structure. It creates accomplishment. And at a time when you may feel powerless, keeping one promise to yourself every day reminds you that there are still things you can control.

  2. Focus Relentlessly on Now

  Fear loves two places: the past and the future.

  The past gives you endless opportunities to torture yourself with what you should have done differently.

  The future gives your imagination unlimited material for everything that could possibly go wrong.

  After my firing, I became quite accomplished at both.

  Eventually, I learned to interrupt those spirals with one simple question:

  What can I do right now?

  Maybe it’s making one phone call. Updating one section of your résumé. Going for a walk. Researching one company. Calling a friend.

  Come back to this moment.

  The past cannot be changed. The future hasn’t happened.

  But this moment still belongs to you.

  3. Connect With Something Larger Than Your Fear

  During one of the darkest periods following my firing, I volunteered to teach a course called Embracing Courage at New Directions Career Center, a nonprofit supporting women in transition.

  The irony wasn’t lost on me.

  There I was, teaching other people how to navigate fear while trying to figure out how to navigate my own.

  But something important happened.

  Helping someone else reminded me that even though I had lost my job, I hadn’t lost my ability to contribute.

  The women I met had endured circumstances far more difficult than mine, including incarceration and homelessness. They reminded me that even the most difficult circumstances can contain the possibility of something different.

  Connect with something larger than your immediate crisis.

  For you, that might be prayer, meditation, nature, volunteering, faith, or service.

  When fear makes your world very small, connection expands again.

  4. Create a Resilience Sanctuary

  A therapist once suggested that I create what she called a resilience sanctuary, a physical or even imagined place where I could retreat when everything felt overwhelming.

  Mine became simple: my fireplace, a good book, and the quiet of a room that felt entirely mine.

  Years later, while teaching women who had survived domestic violence, one woman told me her sanctuary was her freshly made bed, surrounded by her favorite snacks and a book she was reading.

  Your sanctuary doesn’t have to be elaborate.

  Maybe it’s a chair beside a window. A garden. A walking trail. Your porch with a cup of coffee.

  The point is to create a place where your nervous system can stop fighting for a little while.

  5. Practice Radical Gratitude

  Gratitude can sound almost insulting when life has just handed you something devastating.

  I just got fired and you’re telling me to be grateful?

  Yes

  Grateful for what the firing didn’t take from you.

  The people who love you.

  The friendships that sustain you.

  Your knowledge.

  Your experience.

  Your creativity.

  Your ability to learn.

  The skills you spent years developing.

  The possibility of beginning again.

  My years working with Pearl Interactive Network’s workforce profoundly changed my understanding of gratitude. I watched people navigate enormous barriers, including significant physical disabilities and serious illness while expressing genuine joy about having the opportunity to contribute through their work.

  Their perspective stayed with me.

  When everything seems uncertain, take a few minutes each evening and identify what remains good.

  And then consider one more possibility:

  For perhaps the first time in your life, you may have the opportunity to intentionally create work that aligns with your values, strengths, interests, and purpose.

  That possibility is worth noticing.

  6. Master the Art of Baby Steps

  After losing a job, the temptation is to do something dramatic.

  Send out 100 résumés.

  Apply for everything.

  Do something, anything, to make the fear stop.

  Frantic action isn’t necessarily productive action.

  My dear friend Cari taught me the extraordinary power of taking one small step at a time. After surviving a near-fatal prescription drug overdose, she began rebuilding her life incrementally, showing up for support meetings, volunteering at a friend’s startup, and simply doing the next thing in front of her.

  Eventually, those small steps helped lead her into an extraordinary executive career.

  Your next steps don’t have to be dramatic either.

  Reach out to five new LinkedIn connections.

  Research five organizations that genuinely interest you.

  Call three former colleagues and tell them you’re exploring what comes next.

  Schedule one informational interview.

  Then acknowledge that you did it.

  Progress is progress, even when you can’t yet see where it’s taking you.

  Small wins create momentum. Momentum creates confidence. And confidence makes the next step easier.

  7. Build Your Resilience Community

  You don’t need fifty people.

  Start with three.

  Find three people who have been knocked flat by a career upheaval and eventually landed somewhere better.

  Then talk to them.

  Ask what they did when they didn’t know what to do. Ask what mistakes they made. Ask what helped. Ask what they wish someone had told them.

  These conversations provide something that motivational quotes never can:

  Evidence.

  That people rebuild. careers can take unexpected turns and that losing one job doesn’t mean losing your future.

  The people who have traveled this road before you can also introduce possibilities you haven’t considered and help you recognize opportunities you cannot yet see.

  You don’t have to figure everything out alone.

  8. Claim Your Response Power

  You did not choose to get fired.

  You may not have chosen the circumstances surrounding it.

  But eventually, you do get to choose what you do with what happened.

  Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning has long been one of my most powerful references for understanding this idea. Frankl, a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, wrote about the human capacity to choose one’s attitude and response even amid horrific circumstances.

  His work points toward an extraordinary truth:

  There is a space between what happens to us and how we respond.

  That space is where our freedom lives.

  Getting fired may have been someone else’s decision.

  What happens next is your decision

  You can spend all of your energy asking why this happened, or you can begin asking what this experience might make possible.

  You can choose curiosity over catastrophe, gratitude over grievance and exploration over paralysis.

  You don’t have to make those choices perfectly. And you certainly don’t have to stop being afraid.

  You just have to keep choosing the next step.

  You Don’t Have to Wait Until the Fear Is Gone

  If you’re waiting to feel completely confident before moving forward, you may be waiting a very long time.

  Take the walk

  Make the phone call

  Have the informational interviews.

  Explore the new career.

  Courage is something you practice.

  And every small act of courage begins changing the story you’re telling yourself from I don’t know how I’m going to survive this to Maybe I can create something different from this.

  Ready to Take Your Next Step?

  You don’t need to have your entire future figured out today.

  You simply need somewhere to begin.

  The free Embracing Courage workbook is designed to help you slow down, work through what happened, reconnect with what matters to you, and begin exploring what you want your next chapter to look like.

  Use it to reflect, get curious, and start turning uncertainty into intentional action.

  You don’t need to see the entire path. You only need enough courage to take the next step.

  Get your free workbook at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• What Exactly Is an Informational Interview?

  After you’ve been fired, one of the first instincts is  to get online, update your résumé, and start applying for jobs.

  It makes sense. You’ve lost something important, and you want to replace it as quickly as possible.

  But what if, instead of immediately asking, “Who is hiring?” you started with a different question:

  “What kind of work do I actually want to do next?”

  This is where informational interviews can become one of the most valuable tools in your job search.

  An informational interview is a purposeful conversation with someone doing work that fascinates you.

  It is not a job interview or sales pitch.

  You are there to learn from someone doing work that both interests you and establish a relationship

  The person you conduct the informational interview with could be someone in a role you’ve always wondered about or with an organization you admire or could be someone who has successfully made the kind of career transition you’re considering.

  Your goal is to understand their world, the work they do, the challenges they face, how they got there, what is changing in their industry, and whether what they do might align with your own skills, interests, values, and purpose.

  Moving From Reactive to Proactive

  The traditional job search is largely reactive.

  A company decides it needs someone. It creates a job description and posts the position. You find it and apply along with perhaps hundreds of other people.

  Maybe you hear back. Maybe you don’t.

  If you get an interview, you are evaluated against the company’s requirements and the other candidates.

  Having been an employer, I know how imperfect this process can be. Excellent candidates can get overlooked simply because their résumé didn’t contain the right keywords or because their experience didn’t look like an obvious match on paper.

  An informational interview changes the dynamic.

  Instead of waiting for an opportunity to appear, you are in the drivers see by   exploring what is possible.

  You become proactive.

  Find Out What You Really Want

  There is an enormous difference between thinking you want a particular career and knowing what that career looks like.

  We often create stories about jobs from outside.

  Being a television news anchor might sound glamorous until you learn about the 3:00 A.M. starts to your mornings, working holidays, unpredictable schedules, and constant competitive pressure.

  That doesn’t mean it’s the wrong career for you. For someone else, those things might not matter at all.

  The important question is whether it is right for you.

  I’ve watched people become fascinated with a career from a distance, finally talk with someone actually doing that work, and walk away realizing, I don’t want that at all.

  That conversation during the course of the informational interview could prevent you from spending months or years pursuing something that wasn’t aligned with who you are.

  Get the Information Google Can’t Give You

  Every industry has things happening beneath the surface.

  There are unwritten rules. Changing expectations. Emerging opportunities. Companies are quietly growing. Skills are becoming more valuable. Jobs are evolving or disappearing altogether.

  You aren’t going to learn all of that from a company website.

  Someone on the inside can tell you what is really happening.

  Ask what they love about their work and what frustrates them. Ask what surprised them when they entered the field. Ask what skills they believe will become increasingly important. Ask what they wish they had known five years ago.

  Then listen.

  Learn to See Your Experience Differently

  Informational interviews can be especially powerful if you are considering changing careers or launching a new business

  You’re translating what you already know into a new world.

  The people  you have informational interviews with may see possibilities in your experience that we cannot see ourselves. They can help us recognize transferable skills, understand the language of a new industry, and provide tips on telling our professional story in a completely different way.

  One Conversation Leads to Another

  There is another wonderful thing that happens when you approach informational interviews with genuine curiosity.

  People want to help.

  A good conversation frequently ends with:

  “You know who you should talk to?”

  And suddenly, one connection becomes another opportunity

  If they don’t offer a name, ask:

  “Is there anyone else you think I should speak with?”

  This is how a meaningful professional network is built, by having real conversations with people who can provide valuable insights.

  Some of the people I met through informational interviews more than twenty years ago became trusted mentors and even friends.

  You never know where one conversation might lead.

  Become Someone They Remember

  Perhaps the most powerful benefit of informational interviewing is that you have an opportunity to become known before a job exists.

  Think about the difference.

  A position gets posted and your résumé arrives with hundreds of others.

  Or…

  Three months before the position exists, you have a thoughtful conversation with someone in the organization. You ask intelligent questions. You are curious and engaged. They learn something about your experience and the direction you’re exploring.

  Then an opportunity opens.

  Or a project needs help.

  Or someone says, “Do you know anybody who could do this?”

  And they remember you.

  You are now  a person they know.

  Curiosity Changes Everything

  The most important thing to remember about an informational interview is that you are not there to ask for a job.

  Go into the conversation.

  Being curious.

  Ask thoughtful questions.

  Listen more than you talk.

  Learn about the other person’s journey and what they have discovered along the way.

  Pay attention to what happens inside you during the conversation.

  Are you energized by what you’re hearing?

  Do you find yourself wanting to know more?

  Can you imagine yourself doing this work?

  Or does something inside you quietly say, no, this isn’t it?

  That information matters, too.

  Getting fired can create an enormous amount of pressure to figure out what comes next as quickly as possible.

  The goal now is to use this moment to become more intentional about what you choose next.

  Informational interviews allow you to explore without committing and build relationships without asking anyone for anything other than their perspective.

  Sometimes the next chapter of your career

  begins with conversations.

  Ready to Start Exploring What Comes Next?

  If you’re trying to figure out where to go after a job loss, you don’t have to have all the answers today.

  Start by getting curious.

  This is the time to reflect on what work interests you and you want to learn more about? Who is already doing something that intrigues you? Now is the time to consider conversations that could help you see possibilities you haven’t considered before.

  My free Holy Grail of Informational Interviews workbook is designed to help you work through these questions, reconnect with what matters to you, and begin creating a more intentional path forward.

  Use it as a place to slow down, think differently, and start uncovering the clues that may have been pointing you toward your next chapter all along.

  Your next opportunity may not be waiting on a job board. It may be waiting on the other side of a conversation.

  Get your free workbook at www.firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• Excavating Your Purpose After Getting Fired  

  Some people arrive in this world knowing what work they are meant to do. They don’t need to search for their purpose because they’ve never lived a day without it. 

  I watched this up close with both of my daughters. 

  From the time they were big enough to sit at the kitchen table with me, art was the air they breathed. Crayon projects turned into award-winning pieces and art program scholarships. There was never really a question about what they would do when they grew up.  

  For many of us, like me, finding your life purpose is an arduous challenge. 

  Among the barriers to finding our life purpose are financial responsibilities, other people’s expectations, opportunities we happened to accept, and careers that unquestionably unfolded. Before we know it, years have passed, and we may be very good at work we were never truly are passionate or engaged with. 

  Think of your life as an archaeological site. Scattered throughout it are clues—interests, talents, experiences, relationships, moments of joy, challenges you’ve overcome, and things you’ve always been naturally drawn toward. 

  Some clues may go all the way back to childhood. 

  What did you love doing before anyone told you what was practical? What could hold your attention for hours? What did people consistently come to you for? What subjects fascinated you? 

  The child who constantly organized neighborhood activities may have been revealing a gift for leadership. The teenager everyone confided in may have been demonstrating an ability to counsel, coach, or connect. The person who was always creating, fixing, teaching, writing, building, advocating, or solving problems may have been leaving clues all along. 

  Look at What Lit You Up 

  Now excavate your work history. 

  Even in jobs you disliked, there were probably pieces of the work that energized you. 

  Maybe you hated managing budgets but loved mentoring new employees. Perhaps you dreaded meetings but came alive when you were solving a customer’s problem. While you may not have been passionate about your industry, but discovered that you loved training, writing, designing, organizing, selling, leading, or creating something from nothing. 

  Those moments matter. 

  Ask yourself: 

  • When did I feel most alive in my work? 
  • When did you feel most like yourself? 
  • What have you survived? 
  • What have you learned the hard way? 
  • What do you now understand that you wish someone had taught you ten years ago? 

  Your purpose might involve helping people see possibilities they can’t yet see for themselves. It might be creating beauty, solving complicated problems, bringing people together, teaching, healing, protecting, building, encouraging, leading, or serving. 

  There could be dozens of ways to express that purpose professionally. 

  That distinction becomes especially important after getting fired because your old title is gone. Instead of immediately asking, “What job should I get next?” try asking: 

  “What contribution do I want to make next?” 

  That’s a very different question. 

  And it can lead to a very different future. 

  Start Digging 

  You don’t need to discover one grand answer before moving forward. 

  Become an archaeologist of your own life. 

  Look for recurring themes. Pay attention to what energizes you. Revisit dreams you’ve dismissed as unrealistic. Notice what other people consistently recognize in you. Think about the experiences that have shaped you and the lessons you feel compelled to share. 

  Then begin experimenting. 

  Take a class. Volunteer. Have a conversation with someone doing work that interests you. Try a small project. Follow an idea far enough to discover whether there’s something there. 

  Purpose often becomes clearer through movement. 

  Your purpose may not be somewhere out there waiting to be found. 

  It may have been inside your story all along, waiting to be excavated. 

  Download my free workbook “Discover Your Life Purpose” to help guide you at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/  

• The Divine Whisper: When the Noise Stop and the Whispers Begin

  Getting fired creates a strange kind of silence.

  For months or even years, your days may have been filled with meetings, deadlines, emails, office politics, and the constant pressure of what needed to happen next. Your attention was always directed outward—toward your boss, your coworkers, your customers, your calendar, and your responsibilities.

  Then suddenly, it stops.

  At first, that silence can feel terrifying. The familiar structure of your life is gone. There is no meeting to prepare for, no inbox demanding your attention, and no Monday morning routine waiting for you.

  But there is a paradox hidden inside that emptiness.

  The void that follows getting fired can create an opening to hear what your soul has been trying to tell you all along.

  I call those messages Divine Whispers.

  What Is a Divine Whisper?

  You may call it intuition, inner guidance, instinct, God, the Universe, Source, or simply a deep knowing. The language matters less than your willingness to listen.

  A Divine Whisper may present in the form of a quiet thought you can’t quite shake or persistent curiosity or an unexpected opportunity. A person who enters your life at exactly the right moment.

  Sometimes it’s simply a feeling:

  I should call that person.

  I keep thinking about starting my own business.

  I’ve always wanted to do that.

  Something about this opportunity feels right.

  Or perhaps:

  I know I don’t want to go back to the life I had before.

  The whispers may have been there all along

  You may simply have been too busy to hear them.

  How Divine Whispers Actually Show Up

  Divine Whispers can appear in surprisingly ordinary ways.

  You have a random conversation with someone who mysteriously addresses a question you’ve been asking yourself privately.

  You meet someone unexpectedly who introduces you to a person, idea, career, or opportunity you had never considered.

  A book falls into your hands. You hear a podcast. You read an article. A sentence stops you in your tracks because it seems as though it was written specifically for you.

  You notice that the same idea keeps appearing in different places.

  It is easy to dismiss these moments as coincidences. And sometimes they may be.

  But instead of immediately dismissing them, become curious.

  Ask yourself: Why did this get my attention?

  That question alone can reveal something important.

  The Difference Between Guidance and Fear

  Learning to hear your inner guidance doesn’t mean every thought deserves to be followed.

  Fear is loud.

  Fear says:

  You need another job immediately.

  You can’t afford to take a risk.

  Be practical.

  What will people think?

  What if you fail?

  Divine Whispers tend to be quieter. They often point toward what feels true.

  After a job loss, you may be tempted to fill the silence as quickly as possible. Send more résumés. Make more calls. Find another job. Get back to normal.

  But what if returning to “normal” isn’t the invitation?

  What if the interruption is giving you an opportunity to discover something different?

  Create Space to Hear

  You don’t have to sit silently for hours waiting for a mystical revelation.

  Simply begin creating small spaces where your inner voice has a chance to surface.

  Take a walk without your phone. Journal in the morning. Sit quietly with a cup of coffee before opening your email. Spend time in nature. Pray. Meditate. Drive without turning on the radio.

  Most importantly, resist the urge to immediately solve every uncomfortable feeling.

  Sometimes clarity needs room to arrive.

  Begin noticing what repeatedly captures your attention. What conversations energize you? What ideas keep returning? What kind of work are you curious about? Who keeps showing up? What opportunities seem to appear without your forcing them?

  And perhaps the most revealing question of all:

  What have you known for a long time but haven’t been willing to admit?

  Listen Before You Leap

  A Divine Whisper doesn’t necessarily require a dramatic response.

  Take one small step.

  Make the phone call.

  Research the idea.

  Have the conversation.

  Take the class.

  Meet the person.

  Write down what you’re noticing.

  Then pay attention to what happens next.

  Guidance often unfolds one step at a time. You don’t need to see the entire road. You simply need enough clarity to recognize the next turn.

  The Gift Hidden in the Silence

  Getting fired may have taken away your title, your routine, your paycheck, and your certainty about what comes next.

  But for the first time in a very long time, it may also have given you something extraordinarily valuable:

  Space.

  Space to question.

  Space to remember.

  Space to imagine.

  Space to listen.

  The silence that initially feels like emptiness may not be empty at all.

  It may be the place where you finally begin hearing the quiet guidance that was impossible to hear over the noise of the life you were living.

  So before you rush to fill the void, spend some time listening.

  The whispers may have already begun.

  Download my free workbook “Discover Your Life Purpose” to help guide you at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• Rewriting Your Story

  Getting fired has a way of making you feel as though someone else has taken control of your story.

  One day, you know who you are, where you work, what you do, and what tomorrow is supposed to look like. Then suddenly, a decision made by someone else changes everything. It’s natural to replay what happened: the conversations, the warning signs, the unfair treatment, the mistakes, and all the things you wish you had said or done differently.

  But there’s a crucial shift that needs to happen between getting fired and building something better and new.

  You have to stop seeing yourself only as the victim of what happened and start seeing yourself as the author of what happens next.

  When Your Story Keeps You Stuck

  There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that you were hurt, disappointed, betrayed, or treated unfairly. Those things may be absolutely true. You don’t have to pretend the experience wasn’t painful in order to move forward.

  But there comes a point when repeatedly telling the story of what was done to you keeps you connected to the very people and circumstances you’re trying to leave behind.

  As long as your story begins and ends with what someone else did, you give them permission to own your story.

  You’re giving power to people who may have already taken too much from you.

  Instead of allowing the experience of being to become proof that you failed, weren’t valued, or can’t trust yourself, you can begin looking at it as information. What did the experience reveal about internal work you need to do? In my case I learned I needed to understand my purpose, mission, and values before I embarked on launching Pearl Interactive Network, Inc., a for profit social enterprise that gave hiring priority to people with barriers to work. What did you learn about yourself? What will you recognize sooner next time? What do you want to do differently?

  Start Asking Different Questions

  Taking the reins of what happens next requires asking better questions.

  “What can I learn from this?”

  Maybe you ignored warning signs because you wanted the job to work. Did you stop speaking up? Had you allowed your job title, paycheck, or someone else’s approval to become too closely tied to your identity.

  “What patterns do I want to break?”

  Perhaps you repeatedly tolerate environments where you aren’t respected, or you overwork to prove your value. When you reflect on how you showed up at work you did you avoid conflict, accept responsibilities that aren’t yours, or remain silent when something doesn’t feel right.

  The moment you started asking what kind of work fits who you are, what matters to you, and how you want to live, creates clarity on your own terms of what job or business resonates with who you are.

  Ready to get started? Sign up to receive notice when my book “Fired to Inspired” is out at https://firedtoinspired.com/book/.

• FINDING YOUR TRUE NORTH

  Getting fired has a way of knocking you off course. One day, you know where you are going, or at least you think you do, and the next, the familiar markers are gone. Your title, your routine, your paycheck, and perhaps even part of your identity disappear overnight.

  Sometimes, it is only when the familiar road ends that you finally have the opportunity to ask a more important question: Where do I actually want to go?

  Finding your true north is where the real work begins.

  Your true north is the internal compass that points you toward work and a life that feels aligned with who you really are. It reflects your values, your strengths, your passions, your experiences, and the contribution you want to make.

  The challenge is learning how to hear it.

  Listening to the Divine Whispers

  Throughout our lives, we receive intuitive signals that tell us when something is right or wrong for us. I call these signals “divine whispers.”

  More often, they show up as quiet but persistent knowing.

  Sometimes the whisper is excitement. Other times it comes in the form of discomfort, restlessness, curiosity, or an idea that keeps returning no matter how many times you dismiss it.

  We tell ourselves to be practical. To stay because the salary is good. We convince ourselves that everyone dislikes their job sometimes. We try to block out or ignore the knot in our stomach because leaving feels risky. We remain attuned to what everyone else thinks we should do instead of paying attention to what something inside us has been trying to say.

  The gift of a job loss is that we may now, more than ever, have the silence to really listen to the whispers

  When Fear Takes Over the Compass

  Finding your true north also requires looking at the role fear has played in your career decisions.

  Fear is powerful because it often disguises itself as practicality.

  I can’t start over at my age.

  I need security.

  I’ve invested too many years in this career.

  What if I try something different and fail?

  What will people think?

  Fear encourages us to choose what is familiar with over what is fulfilling. It can keep us in jobs, industries, and even relationships that stopped serving us years ago.

  After a job loss, fear may become even louder. The natural impulse is often to replace what was lost as quickly as possible. Finding another job. Restore the paycheck. Get life “back to normal.”

  But before racing toward the next opportunity, ask yourself whether you really want to recreate the life you just left.

  Your goal isn’t simply to become employed again. This can be an opportunity to find work that aligns, excites, and inspires you.

  That may mean another traditional job. It may mean changing industries, starting a business, consulting, returning to school, pursuing work you once dismissed as unrealistic, or combining several interests into something entirely new.

  The destination will be different for everyone.

  Your Story Has Been Leaving Clues

  One of the most powerful ways to find your true north is to look backward.

  Think about the moments when you felt most energized and engaged. What were you doing? Who were you helping? What problems did people consistently come to you to solve?

  Look beyond your job titles.

  Maybe you were officially working in sales, but what you really loved was mentoring younger employees. Perhaps you worked in finance but came alive whenever you organized community events. Maybe you were a manager, but your greatest satisfaction came from developing people. Perhaps the creative work you considered “just a hobby” has followed you throughout your entire life.

  Pay attention to what keeps resurfacing.

  Also look at the difficult parts of your story. What frustrated you repeatedly? What environments drained you? What compromises did you make that you never want to make again?

  Those experiences contain clues too.

  Your true north is uncovered by excavating the past for information you can use to build your future.

  Finding your true north requires different kinds of questions:

  • What kind of work makes me feel alive?
  • What matters enough to me that I want my work to support it?
  • What am I naturally good at that I have taken for granted?
  • What have my experiences prepared me to contribute?
  • What would I pursue if fear weren’t making the decision?
  • What has been quietly calling me that I keep ignoring?

  Trust the Direction Before You Know the Destination

  There is enormous pressure after being fired to figure everything out quickly. But finding your true north is about reconnecting with yourself.

  Listen to the divine whispers you previously ignored. Examine the fears that have kept you playing small or staying safe. Look closely at your story for the patterns, passions, strengths, disappointments, and dreams that have been pointing you toward something more.

  You may discover that being knocked off your old path may have been the moment you finally became free to choose your own direction.

  You don’t need to see the entire road ahead, instead you need to know which way is north.

  Download my free workbook “Discover Your Life Purpose” to help guide you at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• Fired Story – Reese

  Reese’s story is living proof that the cards you are dealt in life do not define who you choose to become. In spite of the lack of financial support from his family, Reese lives a life on his own terms and credits the emotional and loving engagement from his family with his success.

  Starting From Less Than Zero
  Reese describes himself as “Blamish”, the child of a Black father and an Amish mother who divorced when he was two. His mother struggled with mental health challenges. His father lived in a crime-ridden area of Columbus, Ohio, where Reese spent his weekends sleeping on a couch, surrounded by grandparents with little money and little expectation that life could be much different.

  From ages three to fourteen, Reese shuttled between the two worlds of his parents, neither of which offered much stability or comfort.

  The loss of. Reese’s father at the age of fourteen forged a determination within him to create a better life for himself, harnessing sheer willpower and the clarity that daily pangs of hunger, was not going to define his identity.

  
  

  Building From the Ground Up
  Reese delivered newspapers from fourteen to sixteen then landed a job at Kroger for $5.35 an hour. He felt genuinely proud, because he earned his own money. With the guidance of a high school counselor, he enrolled in a two-year business management program at Columbus State Community College.

  A chance connection with a fellow student led to something unexpected: an investor willing to put $300,000 into a tanning salon, with Reese running the operation. Within two years, Reese’s tanning salon was successful enough to open a second location.

  Through the ownership of his tanning salons, Reese discovered that he had a gift for engaging with clients, many of them established business owners ,aspiring entrepreneurs, investors and startups.

  
  The Power of Authentic Connection
  Today, Reese hosts standing-room-only networking events at his multi-acre home, local breweries, and invitation-only clubs. I’ve been to some of these gatherings, and they are real communities, warm, energized, and genuinely useful for people exploring ideas, securing funding, and finding partners. Banks, insurance brokers, realtors, and wealth advisers: eagerly pay for access to these rooms, because Reese has built something special, trust. He’s shared with me more than once that kindness and integrity are key criteria for inclusion in his networking circle.

  When I asked Reese to reflect on what drove all of this, he replied: “When I reflect on the multiple connections I’ve made through the years, the primary motivation was not money. It was being of service to others, knowing that the money will eventually come by doing the right thing.”

  
  Reese’s Wisdom:
  “You can come from nothing and make miraculous things happen.”
  “Every day we need to make the resolution to be happy, no matter what.”
  “While opportunities and money may be inconsistent, it is important to love and care about the people you have the honor of serving.”
  “Focus on taking care of others, stay positive, and keep going, no matter what roadblocks appear. They are just temporary hurdles to overcome.”

• Fired Story: Monica – The Phoenix Who Rose Three Times

  Monica doesn’t hide her past, instead, she wears it like armor.

  Today, Monica leads a thriving 160-employee technology consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio. But ask her how she built it, and she’ll tell you straight: she had to get fired three times first.

  According to Monica, it was the absolute best thing that ever happened to her career.

  “I needed to fail, and fail hard, to learn the lessons that got me where I am,” she reflects. “It was jumping into situations that caused me to drown a bit and then learn how to swim.”

  Standing Up vs. Standing Down

  Two of Monica’s firings had nothing to do with poor performance or bad timing; instead, her firings are the price she paid for doing the right thing.

  When she uncovered illegal practices at two separate companies, she was faced with a choice: stay silent to save her job or speak up to keep her integrity. She chose her integrity. When she brought unscrupulous practices to light, both companies opted to fire her.

  Her firings proved to be painful lessons in navigating corporate culture, but it forged her commitment to be unrelentless about operating with truthfulness. “This changed me to my core,” Monica says. “I now walk with uncompromising character.”

  The Blindside That Built a Culture

  Her third firing came out of nowhere, a sudden, disorienting blindside after years of tireless dedication.

  While that blow shook her confidence, it ultimately gave her the clearest vision of her life. It showed her exactly what kind of leader she wanted to be, and more importantly, what kind of company she needed to build: one rooted deeply in genuine employee care.

  Monica’s Playbook: Wear Your Battles Like Badges

  Today, Monica shares her battle-tested wisdom on her podcast that functions of a beacon of light for anyone who feels stuck in the aftermath of a career setback and provides the following sage advice:

  • Fail fast, fail often, and fail again. Every single stumble is raw material for growth.
  • Drop the scarlet letter. Being is a badge of honor. You survived, you learned, and you came back sharper.
  • Check your survival rate. You have survived 100% of your worst days so far. You might be bruised, but you are still standing and you are better for it.

  From Reading Courage to Practicing It

  If you’re currently navigating a career transition or trying to rebuild after a setback, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

  The Fired to Inspired: Embracing Courage Workbook is designed to take you from reflection to action. Packed with thought-provoking prompts, inspiring quotes, and practical strategies, it helps you move past fear and build a path forward on your own terms.

  Ready to discover your courage? Download the Embracing Courage Workbook at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• FIRED STORY:  KATRINA – FROM CORPORATE CONFUSION TO ENTREPRENEURIAL CLARITY

  When One Door Closes, Build Your Own Doorway

  Fifteen years after college, freelance graphic designer Katrina was enticed by the security of a job offer from a global Fortune 500 women’s clothing retailer. Her vision of stability quickly unraveled.
  On her first day, instead of orientation, she found an empty office with a desk and computer. Coworkers gradually filtered in with graphic art assignments, but weeks passed before she even met her boss.

  
  Despite the confusion about her role, Katrina was mysteriously promoted after just two weeks managing a staff of three.

  Two years later, HR abruptly informed her that her time with the company was ending. With no record of poor performance, no warnings, and no documented issues, Katrina walked away with six months of severance pay and a wounded ego, but also with wisely preserved evidence of peer recognition and quality deliverables.

  The Domino Effect of Positive Change

  The job loss became a catalyst for broader transformation. It gave Katrina the courage to end a toxic marriage that had drained her self-esteem, finances, and sense of control. Despite the uncertainty of no job prospects and a dissolving marriage, she felt exhilarated by the opportunity to reinvent herself.

  During her six-month severance period, Katrina began graphic design freelancing for retail chains. On one assignment, she met Chris, who shared her vision for providing marketing talent for limited corporate engagements. Eighteen years later, Chris and Katrina are business partners in a thriving midwestern marketing staffing firm with nearly $10 million in annual revenue.

  Katrina’s Message:

  “Find your tribe: the group that gets you, supports you, and wants you to succeed.” Katrina found hers through women’s organizations like the National Association of Women Business Owners Women Executive Leadership Development, a national leadership development organization and WBENC, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.

  https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• FIRED STORY: LYNN – When Security Becomes a Prison

  Lynn made perhaps the most terrifying decision of all: She leaped from the security of her teaching position after eighteen years, without the safety net of another job or even a clear vision of what came next.

  “I was going through the motions,” she confesses. “Eighteen years of teaching had put me on automatic pilot. I had the security, the benefits, the relationships, everything that conventional wisdom says should bring contentment. But inside, insecurity was keeping me from the kind of risk-taking I would have encouraged any one of my students to take.”

  Her awakening came when the school asked her to lead special projects in organizational development and strategic planning. “It reignited the passion I’d had in my previous HR experience. I was more excited about the side work than the work I was being paid to do.”

  Today, Lynn works as a career and executive coach, helping others navigate exactly the kinds of transitions she once feared.

  Wisdom: “When you choose to leave something that no longer serves you, you’re not getting fired, you’re firing a version of your life that’s too small for who you’re becoming. Sometimes you must jump into the unknown to discover you can fly.”

  Are you standing at a crossroads, wondering what you’re truly meant to do with your life? Whether you’re questioning your career path, seeking deeper meaning in your work, or feeling a quiet pull toward something more authentic, my FREE workbook “Discover Your Life Purpose” is your companion for the journey ahead. Download at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• FIRED STORY: DANA – Following a Higher Calling

  By every conventional measure, Dana had achieved remarkable success as an insurance agent, consistently exceeding financial goals, earning luxury vacation awards, and memberships to exclusive country clubs. He had everything society told him he should want, yet an unwavering spiritual void lingered.

  While building his insurance career, Dana volunteered with his church and discovered a growing passion for missionary work in the Dominican Republic, where he encountered extreme poverty and realized that, through leadership, he could make profound differences in people’s lives.

  In his late forties, Dana felt what he describes as being “tapped on the shoulder” to become a pastor, a decision that required tremendous sacrifice from both him and his family. Their standard of living and time together would be greatly diminished. Today, Dana presides over a congregation of 8,000 parishioners, having found work that feeds his soul rather than just his bank account.

  Dana’s Advice

  • “People need to trust and not be afraid to take the path in front of them.”
  • “Take small steps. It is easier to trust the path you’re on if you take one step at a time. When you get confirmation, take the next step and the next step.”
  • “Not everyone hears God’s voice when He speaks to them directly. However, you may recognize that God talks through messages from other people.”
  • “Step through the open doors even when they aren’t leading where you think you want to go.

  Access my free “Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel” workbook at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• FIRED STORY: CHERYL

  When Integrity Costs Everything

  As a forty-something corporate executive, Cheryl’s reputation for competence and professionalism was legendary. After eleven years of dedicated service, she was terminated without notice. The catalyst? Her diligent compliance oversight uncovered concerning unethical practices by the newly appointed CEO.

  Through the aftermath of her firing Cheryl experienced a range of emotions: denial, anger, rejection bargaining, depression and soul-crushing self-doubt. For weeks, her former team made frantic calls seeking guidance on systems and protocols they couldn’t navigate without her institutional knowledge.

  Cheryl wisely leveraged every resource in her severance package: support groups, mock interviews, video-assisted interview practice, weekly informational interview goals, and fierce self-care. Within just two months of her termination, Cheryl secured work with a company that held integrity and compliance as key operating values while leveraging her unique skill set in administrative behavioral care administration. The added bonus of the new position she accepted was that Cheryl was now afforded the opportunity to stretch her skill set into business development, an area she’d been interested in pursuing for quite some time. A morning routine of providing peers with positive reviews on LinkedIn helped Cheryl during the first month after her firing. She felt that starting every day supporting people she valued made her feel she was making a positive contribution before she embarked on her daily effort to search for a new job.

  One of the most remarkable sentiments Cheryl shared in our interview was this passage from Viktor Frankle’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, about his experience in a concentration camp: “One evening, when we were already resting on the floor of our hut, dead tired, soup bowls in hand, a fellow prisoner rushed in and asked us to run out to the assembly grounds and see the wonderful sunset. Standing outside we saw sinister clouds glowing in the west and the whole sky alive with clouds of ever-changing shapes and colors, from steel blue to blood red. The desolate grey mud huts provided a sharp contrast, while the puddles on the muddy ground reflected the glowing sky. Then, after minutes of moving silence, one prisoner said to another, ‘How beautiful the world could be.”

  When I asked Cheryl why this passage resonated with her, she said it is so important during the most trying, challenging times in our lives, to look at what is beautiful and to remember to be grateful for all that is good.

  Cheryl’s Advice: “Have the confidence to trust yourself completely. Through perseverance and discipline, you will find your path. Don’t settle for less than you deserve.”

  • “Listen to advice from your support system, family system, family, friends, and professional groups.”
  • “Don’t settle.” Cheryl noticed many peers internalizing failure and accepting positions far below their skill level.
  • “Learn to believe in yourself. Don’t let fear or temporary circumstances define your worth.”

  If you want to pre-sign up for my book coming later this summer – https://firedtoinspired.com/book/.

• FIRED STORY: Sue’s marvelously reinvented life

  Sue, a fifty-year-old vice president of sales, worked for a company that sold discounted member services to employer groups. She had a sales team, a title, and a paycheck. What she didn’t have was a company she could look in the mirror and feel good about.

  When management told her they were cutting costs by withholding earned vacation pay from her staff and keeping that detail from the employees, Sue reached her limit. This wasn’t the first time the company asked her to be complicit in something that crossed an ethical line. But it would be the last.

  She resigned without a new job lined up or savings to cushion the fall. She was a single mother with a teenage son living at home, and she felt a calling to become a nurse. She made the exhilarating decision to go back to school at the age of fifty!

  Without allowing herself to panic, Sue got creative and proposed to her father that he give her early access to her inheritance money. Her father said yes. Her creative and brave move to leaving her job and requesting an inheritance fared well.

  Throughout the transformation of leaving a job and starting nursing school, Sue understood that fear was always present. But it was never a reason to turn away from what she believed was her calling.

  She graduated at the top of her nursing class and went on to earn a high six-figure income as senior vice president of nursing for a national hospice company.

  Sue’s Advice

  • Fear is sometimes the price of doing something that matters.
  • Strained finances do not have to impede your vision. The finances were not in Sue’sfavor for going back to school, but she persevered and eventually positioned herself to earn a six-figure salary for work that deeply resonated with her desire to become a hospice nurse.
  • Asking for help is a strategy. Sue’s willingness to go to her father, to be honest about what she needed and why, gave her the lifeline to support herself and her son while she reinvented her life. That took courage.
  • Getting pushed out, or pushing yourself out, can lead to becoming the person you were always meant to be.
  • “I just knew it would work out. I didn’t know how. I didn’t know when. But I knew. And that knowing was enough to keep going, one semester and one act of faith at a time.”

  Sign up to pre-order my book and see how Sue used creative math to navigate her circumstances in her favor, go to https://firedtoinspired.com/book/

• Finding Light in the Deepest Darkness – Daniel’s Story

  As vice president of operations for a national company managing group homes for developmentally disabled adults, Daniel faced an unimaginable convergence of professional and personal catastrophes. Just four months into his role, a resident murdered an employee during the night shift. In the ensuing political firestorm, which involved statewide media coverage and government investigations, Daniel became the designated scapegoat.

  As if professional devastation were not enough, within weeks of launching his job search, Daniel lost feeling in his legs during his son’s soccer game. An MRI revealed he needed immediate surgery to prevent permanent paralysis, surgery he could not afford without health insurance.

  With unwavering commitment to his family and profound faith, Daniel continued his job search, leaning on a cane while applying for 200 to 300 positions. After becoming a Medicaid recipient to cover his emergency surgery, Daniel experienced life’s supreme irony: He landed a leadership role with the very Medicaid insurance company that had provided his lifesaving coverage.

  • Danial’s advice: “Be brutally honest with yourself. Don’t pretend you’re not hurting. When you lose a job, the experience mirrors losing a loved one, honor that grief.
  • “Even if you’re not connected to a religion, during times of seismic stress, there is consolation in turning to faith as a source of comfort.”
  • “Never give up. Treat every day of your job search like a job. In fact, your job search is your new job. Don’t leave any stone unturned. There will be a place for you, and it will come. No one said this would be easy, but it’s important to be patient.”

  Access my free “Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel” workbook at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• The Art of Turning Devastation into Opportunity – Marcie’s Story

  For four years, Marcie flourished as marketing director at a prominent nonprofit religious organization. She had cultivated deep relationships with her boss, colleagues, and an impressive network of influential donors. When the beloved CEO retired, Marcie felt secure in her position, perhaps dangerously so.

  That security evaporated in seven brutal days. The new CEO summoned Marcie to what she expected would be a routine meeting. Instead, he immediately declared that she was overpaid and announced plans to demote her and slash her salary. Seven days later, she was terminated.

  Marcie’s response demonstrated how someone takes control of her narrative. She refused to sign the separation agreement on the spot, a critical decision that preserved her options, and she enlisted her sister, an attorney, to negotiate on her behalf.

  The result was an extended severance, glowing reference letters, and an arrangement that transformed her former employer into her first consulting client. Within months, she had launched her own marketing firm specializing in nonprofit growth strategies. Within two months of launching the business, she had seven clients.

  Marcie’s advice:

  “You’re not starting from scratch, you’re starting from experience.”

  “Trust yourself to get through this. You can choose not to be scared.”

  “Getting fired can demonstrate the depths of your capability.”

  “Use your support system to listen to you and guide you.”

  “Never burn bridges. You never know when or how you’ll need to go back to your employer for contracts, references, and connections.”

  “When starting a new business, talk to other entrepreneurs who can guide you through challenges from insurance coverage to banking.”

  “Being fired will be in your rearview mirror sooner than you expect. It’s not the end—it’s a voyage to a new beginning.”

  Need some assistance in turning devastation to Opportunity?  Download the FREE Embracing Courage workbook at  https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• The Red Flags You Probably Ignored

  Hindsight is a brutal teacher.

  Looking back at my Round the Clock disaster with clear eyes, I can now identify at least a dozen warning signs I chose to overlook before I took the job and throughout the short duration of my tenure there. The truth is that most toxic jobs don’t blindside us completely. Usually, the clues are there from the beginning—we just explain them away or look the other way because we need the paycheck, want the opportunity, or desperately hope things will improve once we “prove ourselves.”

  Had I done my homework, I might have avoided the whole mess.

  But desperation and making quick decisions made in haste rarely work out well.

  One of the biggest warning signs, if I had looked into it, even before my interview was the turnover rate.

  Within a week of accepting my new position with Round the Clock, I noticed people seemed to come and go constantly, but I accepted the explanations I was given. “The job isn’t for everyone.” “People can’t handle the pace.” “We have high standards.” Toxic workplaces are masters at reframing dysfunction as excellence.

  Now I understand that constant turnover is rarely random. When employees repeatedly leave the same environment, there is usually a reason. Healthy organizations may lose a few people here and there, but when entire departments rotate like revolving doors, pay attention. People don’t abandon stable environments in large numbers without cause. They especially don’t leave if their voices are heard and treated like they are valuable to the organization

  Then there was the interview bait-and-switch.

  The role I interviewed for and the role I walked into were not the same thing. Responsibilities shifted. Expectations changed. Promises became vague. What was presented as an opportunity for leadership quickly became chaos management and survival. It did not help that the day before I was to start work that the woman who held my role, was going to stay on for the next 6 weeks.  Essentially, I was sharing a leadership role with someone in the position I was to fill.

  At the time, I told myself to be flexible. To be a team player. To stay positive.

  But there’s a difference between flexibility and deception.

  If major details about compensation, responsibilities, reporting structures, or expectations suddenly change during hiring, believe what you’re seeing. Organizations that start relationships by moving goalposts usually continue moving them after you’re hired.

  The last-minute changes should have been another clue.

  The offices I toured during the initial interview were new, beautiful, sunlit and lovely.  The office I was escorted to after a three hour wait in an unlit waiting room was in a dark dank foul-smelling hallway that contained only a rust encrusted desk circa 1950s.

  And then there were the awkward interview questions.

  You know the ones. Questions that leave you slightly uncomfortable, but you convince yourself you’re overreacting. Questions that hint at boundary issues, control issues, or a workplace culture built around fear rather than collaboration.

  Sometimes the red flags are not what people say, it’s the energy underneath what they say.

  Do they speak respectfully about former employees?

  
  Do they seem oddly defensive?

  
  Do they brag about how “hard” people have to work?

  
  Do they describe burnout as commitment?

  
  Do they expect loyalty before trust has even been established?

  Your body often notices problems before your mind allows you to admit them.  All I knew was that within seconds of starting my job with Round the Clock Care, I had made a terrible mistake.

  But the biggest warning sign of all was my boss’s well-known pattern of behavior.

  People talked about it quietly. Stories circulated. Former employees hinted at experiences without fully saying them out loud. There was a recognizable pattern in how new staff were treated: charm in the beginning, unrealistic expectations shortly after, then criticism, instability, and blame once the honeymoon phase ended. In my case the honeymoon was over my first week.  In our first one on one meeting, I was shocked at the list of all the things my boss shared that I had done wrong is such a short amount of time.

  And still, I convinced myself my experience would somehow be different.

  That is one of the most dangerous things hopeful people do in toxic situations: we believe our effort, loyalty, or competence will protect us from patterns that existed long before we arrived.

  It won’t.

  A toxic system does not suddenly become healthy because you work harder.

  One of the hardest lessons after getting fired was realizing that I ignored my own instincts repeatedly. Not because I wanted the opportunity to work so badly that I negotiated against myself.

  And many of us do this.

  We silence our intuition in the name of professionalism.
  We tolerate confusion in the name of adaptability.
  We excuse disrespect in the name of gratitude.
  We abandon our own discernment because we’re afraid of losing the offer.

  What I know now: the interview process is not just the company evaluating you. It is also you evaluating them.

  You are allowed to ask hard questions.
  You are allowed to research leadership turnover.
  You are allowed to notice inconsistencies.
  You are allowed to walk away from environments that feel wrong. Most important, trust your gut!

  Not every difficult job is toxic. Not every stressful season is abuse. But when multiple red flags start stacking on top of each other, don’t ignore them, Have the courage to say “No” and keep looking.

• The Grief Cycle Nobody Warns You About

  Career books and self-help experts love to talk about reinvention. They talk about networking, polishing your résumé, personal branding, and “turning setbacks into opportunities.” What they rarely talk about is grief.

  Because getting fired is grief. Literally. Bruce Feiler, author of Life is In the Transitions uses the term “lifequate” to describe a pivotal event that shakes the foundation of your life.

  When you lose your job, something significant dies. Your professional identity, the title you introduced yourself to at parties, the role that structured your days, the routine that gave your life predictability, the paycheck that made survival possible—suddenly disappears. And like any meaningful loss, it demands to be mourned.

  The problem is that most people don’t recognize what they’re experiencing as grief. They think they’re failing because they can’t “bounce back” quickly enough. They judge themselves for crying in the middle of the grocery store, for feeling exhausted all the time, or for struggling to answer the simple question: “So, what do you do?”

  Your body does not register  whether the loss  in your life was a person, a relationship, a dream, or a career. The nervous system responds to loss the same way regardless. Your brain recognizes that something important has been taken away, and it begins cycling through shock, denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and eventually—hopefully—acceptance.

  At first, there’s disbelief.

  Even if you knew your workplace was unhealthy. Even if layoffs were rumored. Even if part of you secretly wanted out. There is still a surreal moment when it becomes real. The meetings. The phone calls. The email. The box of belongings. Your access revoked. Your name quietly disappears from organizational charts and group chats as if you were never there at all.

  Then comes the replaying.

  You replay conversations. Mistakes. Meetings. You dissect every interaction searching for the exact moment things went wrong. Your mind becomes convinced that if you can just identify the mistake, maybe you can undo the pain. Maybe you can prevent it from happening again.

  Then comes anger.

  Anger at leadership. Anger at coworkers who stayed silent. Anger at yourself for ignoring warning signs or actions you could’ve, should’ve or shouldn’t have taken. Anger that loyalty didn’t protect you and your years of sacrifice could be erased in a single afternoon.

  And underneath the anger is often humiliation.

  Because job loss doesn’t just affect finances, it affects identity. We live in a culture that ties worth to productivity. People ask, “What do you do?” before they ask who you are. Work becomes more than income; it becomes proof of value. So, when the job disappears, many people secretly wonder if their value disappeared too.

  That’s why getting fired can feel isolating in ways few people understand.

  Friends may try to encourage you with phrases like, “Everything happens for a reason,” or “This just means something better is coming.” While well intentioned, those words can unintentionally rush grief that needs space. Sometimes there is wisdom ahead.

  Sometimes there is a better chapter waiting. But in the beginning, there is simply loss.

  And loss deserves honesty and time to grieve.

  You are allowed to grieve the coworkers you loved. The future promotions you imagined. The stability you counted on. The version of yourself that believed hard work guaranteed safety. You are allowed to mourn the identity that no longer fits.

  What most people don’t realize is that grief after job loss often comes in waves and is not a linear process.

  One day you feel motivated and hopeful, updating your LinkedIn profile and applying for opportunities. The next day you can barely get out of bed. You may feel embarrassed one moment and strangely relieved the next. Both can exist simultaneously. Sometimes being fired hurts deeply because part of you knew the environment was slowly depleting your soul

  There is grief not only for what ended, but for how long you stayed disconnected from yourself and the effort you took to contort yourself trying to survive it.

  But eventually, if you allow yourself to move through grief instead of pretending it doesn’t exist, something important begins to happen.

  The silence after loss creates space.

  Space to ask questions you were too busy to ask before. Space to notice what drained you, what mattered and what never truly belonged to you in the first place. Space to rebuild a life and career from something that deeply aligns with what your purpose, values and passions are.

  This is the part nobody tells you: grief is not weakness in the healing process. Grief is the healing process.

  Mourning means your experience mattered because you invested your heart, your time, your energy, and your hopes into something real. Mourning is evidence that you are broken. and is evidence that you are human.

  While the loss of a job may feel like the end of your identity as you knew it, it may actually be the beginning of discovering who you are about to become!

• How to Find Your Own Mentors

  When you’re searching for a new job, it’s easy to believe you have to figure everything out on your own. You spend hours updating your resume, networking online, preparing for interviews, and trying to stay optimistic through uncertainty. But one of the smartest things a business professional can do during a career transition is find mentors—people who can offer guidance, perspective, encouragement, and honest feedback along the way. The length of time you put into this relationship could be based on the amount of time it takes to meet specific goals.

  The good news is that mentorship does not have to be formal to be powerful. You do not need a famous executive, a paid coach, or someone with decades of experience in your exact field. Often, the best mentors are simply people who are one or two steps ahead of you, willing to share what they’ve learned.

  Finding mentors is about intentional relationship-building.

  Start With Clarity About What You Need

  Before you look for mentors, take time to identify where you need support.

  Are you:

  • Trying to change industries?
  • Re-entering the workforce after a break?
  • Looking to move into leadership?
  • Building confidence after a layoff?
  • Trying to improve networking or interviewing skills?
  • Exploring entrepreneurship or consulting?

  Different mentors serve different purposes. One person may help you navigate corporate politics. Another may help you regain confidence. Someone else may introduce you to opportunities or challenge you to think bigger.

  The clearer you are about your goals, the easier it becomes to recognize the right people.

  Look Beyond Traditional Networking

  Many job seekers approach networking as a transactional exercise—collecting LinkedIn connections or handing out resumes. Mentorship grows differently. It develops through genuine conversations and shared interests.

  Potential mentors can often be found:

  • Former managers or supervisors
  • Past coworkers
  • Professional association members
  • Community leaders
  • Alumni groups
  • Industry conferences and workshops
  • Volunteer organizations
  • Online professional communities
  • Small business owners
  • Coaches or trainers you admire

  You may already know someone who could become an important mentor relationship—you simply haven’t asked meaningful questions yet.

  Pay Attention to Who Inspires Growth

  A good mentor is someone who encourages growth, challenges your thinking, and helps you move forward.

  Look for people who:

  • Communicate honestly and respectfully
  • Have experience you admire
  • Demonstrate integrity
  • Encourage rather than discourage
  • Listen well
  • Offer practical insights
  • Make you think differently
  • Support accountability
  • Has a genuine interest in you and what you are wanting to accomplish

  Not every successful person makes a good mentor. Sometimes the best guidance comes from someone approachable, grounded, and generous with their experience.

  Start Small and Build Naturally

  One of the biggest mistakes people make is approaching mentorship too formally too quickly.

  Instead of asking, “Will you be my mentor?” begin with conversation.

  Ask someone:

  • How they navigated a career change
  • What helped them grow professionally
  • What mistakes they learned from
  • What advice they would give someone entering the field
  • How they handled setbacks or uncertainty
  • How interested they may be in becoming your mentor

  People are often more willing to help than we assume. Most professionals remember what it felt like to need guidance.

  Focus on building authentic relationships rather than forcing a title onto the connection.

  Be Respectful of Their Time

  Strong mentor relationships are built on mutual respect.

  When reaching out:

  • Be specific with your questions
  • Keep meetings or calls focused
  • Show appreciation
  • Follow through on advice you receive
  • Avoid constant crisis communication
  • Respect boundaries and schedules

  Mentors are more likely to continue investing in someone who takes initiative and demonstrates effort.

  A simple follow-up message sharing how their advice helped you can go a long way.

  Learn From Multiple Mentors

  You do not need one person to fulfill every role in your professional development.

  In fact, many successful professionals build a “personal board of advisors” made up of different voices:

  • A career mentor
  • A leadership mentor
  • A networking connector
  • A technical expert
  • A confidence builder
  • A peer accountability partner

  Each relationship provides something valuable.

  Some mentors may stay in your life for years. Others may help you through a specific season or transition.

  Remember That Mentorship Is a Two-Way Relationship

  Even as a job seeker, you still bring value to relationships.

  You can:

  • Share useful articles or resources
  • Offer help where appropriate
  • Bring fresh ideas and perspectives
  • Express gratitude sincerely
  • Support others in return

  Mentorship is about learning, growth, and mutual respect.

  Final Thoughts

  Career transitions can feel isolating, especially after a job loss or during a difficult search. But you do not have to navigate the journey alone.

  The right mentors can help you see opportunities more clearly, avoid unnecessary mistakes, rebuild confidence, and stay connected to your long-term goals. Sometimes one conversation, one introduction, or one piece of encouragement can completely shift your direction.

  Start by being curious. Reach out thoughtfully. Ask good questions. Build genuine relationships.

  The mentors you need may already be closer than you think.

  On a final note, I recently presented to a group of mid to senior career professionals and I was surprised at how many of them shared that even though they were seasoned professionals in their area of expertise, they still benefited from mentorship.

  If you would like to learn more, go to www.firedtoinspired.com and pre-order my book or download free workbooks.

• Transforming Fear into Fuel

  Losing a job can feel like the ground has shifted beneath your feet. One moment, there’s structure, identity, and a sense of direction. The next, there’s uncertainty, disruption, and an undercurrent of fear that can be difficult to shake. While fear is often viewed as something to avoid or suppress, it can become one of your most powerful tools—if you learn how to harness it.

  Fear, at its core, is a signal. It alerts you that something important is at stake. After job loss, that “something” often includes financial stability, professional identity, and future security. Rather than pushing fear aside or allowing it to paralyze you, the key is to acknowledge it and redirect its energy. When approached intentionally, fear can shift from something that holds you back into something that propels you forward.

  The first step in transforming fear into fuel is understanding what your fear is really saying. Beneath the surface anxiety is often deeper concern: Will I be able to find something better? What if I fail? What will others think? Naming these fears brings clarity. It moves them from vague, overwhelming feelings into defined challenges that can be addressed. When fear is unnamed, it grows. When it is identified, it becomes manageable.

  Once you’ve identified your fears, the next step is reframing them. Begin to see fear as a signal for growth. Fear often points directly to areas where change, expansion, or courage is needed. For example, fear of stepping into a new industry may indicate a desire for meaningful work that you’ve been hesitant to pursue. Fear of rejection may highlight how much you care about finding the right opportunity.

  Another critical component is channeling the energy of fear into action. Fear generates momentum—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Left unchecked, that energy can spiral into overthinking or inaction. Directed properly, it can become focus, discipline, and determination. Create a simple action plan: update your resume, reach out to contacts, explore new skill development, or set daily job search goals. Action, even in small steps, interrupts the cycle of fear and replaces it with a sense of progress and control.

  It’s also important to recognize that fear and confidence are not opposites. They often coexist. Waiting to feel completely confident before acting can keep you stuck indefinitely. Progress happens when you move forward with fear.  A favorite motto of mine is “Action overcomes fear. Each step you take, whether it be scheduling an informational interview or submitting an application, builds evidence that you have agency and  are capable of navigating this transition.

  Equally valuable is using this period as an opportunity for reflection. Job loss, while difficult, creates space—space that is rarely available during the routine of full-time work. This space allows you to reassess what you truly want. What kind of environment supports your well-being? What type of work energizes you? What values are non-negotiable moving forward? Fear can sharpen your focus here, helping you become more intentional about your next move.  I attribute losing my job after only two months because I rushed  rather than simply rushing to replace what was lost.

  Support systems also play a crucial role in this transformation. Sharing your experience with trusted friends, mentors, or professional networks can reduce isolation and provide perspective. Others can often see strengths and opportunities that are difficult to recognize on your own. Fear tends to thrive in silence; connection helps diminish its intensity and opens doors to new possibilities.

  Finally, give yourself permission to move through this process without perfection. There will be days when fear feels heavier and motivation is harder to access. You’re human and feeling overwhelmed and lost is natural. The goal is to develop a relationship with fear that serves you.

  Job loss is undeniably challenging, but it is also a pivotal moment—one that holds the potential for reinvention and growth. By acknowledging fear, understanding its message, and channeling its energy into purposeful action, you can transform it into a powerful force for momentum. You can now fear to shape what comes next.

  I want to help you find your way through. Pre-order my book Fired to Inspired for the roadmap I wish I’d had, or download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence and Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters. I would like to be at your side as you are getting started.

• Building Your New Future After a Job Loss

  You’ve survived the shock, moved through the uncertainty and you’ve taken the time to reflect, to listen, and to rediscover what matters most.

  Now it’s time to build.

  This phase of the journey after job loss is about creation. You are no longer just reacting to what happened. You are stepping into a position of intentional action, where each move you make is designed to shape your next chapter with clarity and purpose.

  Building your new future begins with a shift in mindset. You are now asking the questions, what do I want to create next?”  This question opens the door to opportunities that may not have been visible—or even possible—before.

  At the core of this phase is strategic action. Are thoughtful steps that align with your purpose, mission, interests and skills. Ideally you are positioning yourself to love what you do while offering value in a meaningful way.

  One of the most powerful levers in building your future is connection. While opportunities will occasionally present from online applications, many times where you go next comes through people you know, former colleagues, industry contacts, mentors, and even new connections can open doors that you didn’t know existed. The conversations you have, I refer to them as informational interviews, they are about building relationships, sharing your direction, understanding the industry of the person you are speaking to and exploring where your paths may intersect. It was through these informational interviews I learned that there wasn’t a job for me, rather an opportunity to launch a new business.

  Equally important is the quality of the conversations you’re having. Instead of leading with desperation or uncertainty, lead with clarity and curiosity. Share what you’re exploring. Ask thoughtful questions. Listen for insight. The goal is to uncover alignment. Often, one meaningful conversation can create momentum.  You may discover that an industry that once looked very appealing may not be a fit for you.  You may be required to travel extensively or required to work many evenings or weekends. The reverse could be true.  You may learn that you have skills that could be a natural transition.  I knew someone who shut down motorcycle dealerships and discovered that he had the perfect skill set for becoming a chief operating officer of a manufacturing company.

  As you move forward, it’s essential to take ownership of your narrative. Job loss can feel like a defining moment, but it doesn’t have to define you. How you talk about this transition—both to others and to yourself—matters. Frame it as a period of growth, realignment, and intentional change. When you own your story with confidence, others are far more likely to see your potential.

  Building your future also requires a willingness to take calculated risks. The path ahead may not look exactly like the one you were on before—and that’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity to transition to something better. This may be the time to explore a different industry, pursue a long-delayed idea, invest in new skills, or step into a role that challenges you in new ways. Growth rarely happens within the boundaries of what is familiar.

  Structure can be your ally during this phase. Creating a simple weekly plan—dedicated time for networking, skill-building, applications, and reflection—helps maintain momentum without becoming overwhelming. Progress is about consistently moving forward in the right direction.

  It’s also important to recognize that building something new takes time. There may be moments when progress feels slow or unclear, that is all part of the process

  Every connection, conversation had and step taken lays a foundation, even if the results aren’t immediately visible.

  This exploratory phase is about trusting yourself to keep one foot in front of the other. You’ve already navigated one of the most difficult parts of the journey. You’ve faced uncertainty and come through it with greater clarity.

  This is your opportunity to create a future that is aligned with who you are.

  You’re starting from experience, from insight, and from a deeper understanding of what matters and this is a powerful place to build from.

  To help guide you as you rebuild, pre-order my book, “Fired to Inspired” and download free workbooks “Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel”, “Discover Your Life Purpose: A Workbook for Meaningful Transformation”, and “Informational Interviews – The Holy Grail of Moving Forward”. Download them at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• Tuning Into Guidance When the Noise Stops After Getting Fired

  All too often when someone is fired, there are recurrent noise that sounds like  “I should have said this,” “why didn’t I do that,” and “if only I had not done” plays on repeat. At the same time, your mind races ahead, trying to control a future no  one can predict. The mind toxic internal messages are  exhausting and paralyzing.

  The paradox is that this moment is the moment you can find a reprieve from your thoughts your thoughts that vacillate between the past, that can not be redone and a future, you can not control. 

  Find the stillness within and the grace of space that emerges when external structures like a job disappears the meetings, the deadlines, the constant validation are no longer absorbing your mind.

  It was in the quiet that I found on my journey that I was able to focus on something I’d never done before.  I listened to my intuition and divine whispers that helped direct me to work that would eventually become my life’s work and completely aligned with what I know I was meant to do in this lifetime.

  Among things you can do to find the silence are  taking a walk without your phone. Sitting with a notebook and writing whatever comes up without editing.

  Pay attention to the guidance that shows up in fragments—an idea that’s ignited you or years or a  truth you  no longer want to  ignore.

  These inspiring fragments could have been there all along but  couldn’t be heard because of the noise of obligation hijacking your attention.

  Being fired voluntarily or not, is painful It strips away the noise while  handing you something most people don’t get: a pause.

  What you do with that pause matters.

  You can fill it with panic, pressure, and constant distraction.

  Or you can treat it as an invitation.to listen.

  You don’t have to have all the answers right now.

  You just have to be willing to hear the next one.

  And that answer won’t come from forcing, chasing, or over analyzing.

  It will come when the noise settles.

  Sometimes the  most important direction you’ll ever receive.

  It arrives in the quiet.

• Your Non-Negotiables List: The Clarity You Need Before Your Next Move

  Before you update your résumé, scroll job boards, or say yes to the next opportunity that comes your way, there’s one step that matters more than all the rest: defining your non-negotiables.
   
  These are the standards you refuse to compromise on no matter how uncertain, uncomfortable, or urgent your situation may feel.
   
  Because when you’ve experienced job loss, burnout, or a toxic work environment, the temptation to “just take something” can be strong. In fact, it was so strong, it led to my being fired within two months.  Financial pressure, fear of the unknown, and the desire to regain stability can cloud your judgment. Without giving thought to what you can no longer accept in your next position, you may find yourself right back in a situation that drained you in the first place.
   
  Respect yourself enough to hold fast to your non-negotiables.
   
  Your non negotiables are the  line you draw to protect your well-being, your values, and your sense of self.
   
  For some, a non-negotiable might be working under leadership that treats people with dignity and respect. For others, it’s having evenings free to be present with family. It could be refusing to work in environments that require you to shrink, perform, or pretend to be someone you’re not.
   
  Take time to write your non negotiables down with  intention. Think about your past experiences, especially the ones that challenged or hurt you. What crossed the line? What did you tolerate longer than you should have? What will you no longer accept?
   
  Once you’ve created your list, keep it somewhere visible. A note on your phone, a sticky note on your desk or a page in your journal. Because when an opportunity presents itself—especially one that looks good on the surface but feels intuitively off, you’ll need a clear reminder of what you’ve already decided.
   
  Your non-negotiables become your filter and give you the courage to walk away from what doesn’t align. They remind you that short-term relief is not worth long-term misalignment.
   
  After one particularly defining experience in my own journey, my list became very clear. I never wanted to work for anyone else again. a decision that came from the clarity of knowing what I could no longer tolerate.
  That clarity opened the door to entrepreneurship and building something of my own.
   
  My hope is that your non-negotiables lead you to a healthier workplace, a new industry, or a role that finally fits who you are.
   
  And whatever you do, don’t make a decision about what is next in your life because you’re letting desperation make a decision that is not in your best interest.
   
  It is more than worth your time to pause and reflect. Write your list of non-negotiables.
   
  Warmly,

  Merry Korn

• Surviving the First 30 Days After Being Fired: Finding Stability in the Shock

  Even if you sensed it coming, the moment you are fired becomes often brings a rush of emotions—shock, fear, anger, embarrassment, and uncertainty. The first 30 days after being fired are about stabilization for you and your family. This is your survival phase. Your primary goal now is to regain your footing, protect your well-being, and create enough clarity to begin thinking about what comes next. A mantra that helped me during the immediate aftermath of my firing was, “Have faith.  This WILL work out.  It just will.”

  1. Acknowledge the Emotional Impact

  Being fired is a deeply personal experience. It can challenge your identity, confidence, and sense of security. In the first few days, give yourself permission to feel what you feel without rushing to “fix” it.

  You may cycle through disbelief, frustration, or even relief. All of it is valid. What matters most is that you don’t suppress it. When emotions are acknowledged, they move. When they’re ignored, they linger and cloud your thinking.

  You’re processing what happened will eventually enable you to move forward with clarity instead of reaction.

  2. Create Immediate Stability

  Once the initial emotional wave begins to settle, your focus shifts to addressing the immediate practical concerns.

  Start with the basics:

  • Understand your final paycheck, severance (if applicable), and benefits
  • Review your health insurance status and deadlines (such as COBRA)
  • File for unemployment benefits as soon as possible
  • Take stock of your current financial situation

  While there is a need for a longer-term financial plan, in the immediate future to understand short-term runway. Knowing what you have and what you need reduces uncertainty, which could reduce short term stress.

  3. Establish a Simple Daily Structure

  One of the biggest disruptions after being fired is the sudden loss of routine. Without structure, days can blur together, leading to increased stress, overthinking, or paralysis.

  Create a light, manageable daily rhythm:

  • Wake up at a consistent time
  • Get dressed (even if you’re staying at home)
  • Set 1–3 small, achievable tasks for the day
  • Include movement (a walk, stretching, anything physical)
  • Build in time for rest without guilt

  Starting your day with structure provides well-needed grounding to restore a sense of control and normalcy during an otherwise uncertain time.

  4. Limit Reactive Decision-Making

  The urge to immediately “fix” the situation can lead to rushed decisions—applying to every job, accepting the first opportunity out of fear, or completely pivoting without reflection. In the first 30 days, give yourself permission to pause before making major decisions. Stabilization comes before strategy.

  The most important question to ask yourself now is,

  “What do I need right now to feel steady?”

  “What information do I need before deciding anything?”

  5. Choose Your Inner Narrative Carefully

  After a job loss, it’s easy to internalize the experience:

  • “I failed.”
  • “I’m not good enough.”
  • “This will follow me.”

  These thoughts can become louder in the absence of external validation. But they are your interpretations—not facts.

  A more stabilizing perspective might be:

  • “Something ended. I don’t yet know what this will lead to.”
  • “This moment is part of my story, not the definition of it.”

  You don’t have to force positivity. You just need to avoid conclusions that limit your ability to move forward.

  6. Reach Out—Selectively

  Isolation can intensify stress. Choose a small circle of people who can offer grounded support rather than panic or unsolicited advice.

  You don’t need to explain everything to everyone. A simple, professional statement is enough: “I’m in transition right now and taking some time to determine my next steps.”

  This keeps you connected without feeling exposed.

  7. Protect Your Energy

  The first 30 days are not the time to prove anything—to yourself or anyone else. Your energy is limited, and how you spend it matters.

  Be mindful of:

  • Excessive scrolling or comparing yourself to others
  • Replaying the situation repeatedly
  • Over-committing to activities that drain you

  Focus your time and energy on what restores you—quiet time, supportive conversations, light movement, or even moments of stillness. Stabilization is about conserving energy and taking thoughtful action.

  Moving Forward Begins with Standing Still

  The pressure to “bounce back” quickly can be intense. Resilience comes from stabilizing first.

  These first 30 days are foundational. When you give yourself the space to process, organize, and regain your footing, you create the conditions for better decisions, clearer direction, and more aligned opportunities.

  Right now, your job is to steady yourself, one day, one step at a time—so that when the next phase begins, you’re not reacting from chaos, but moving forward from clarity.

  To help you move forward, pre-order my book, “Fired to Inspired” and download my FREE workbook “Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel”.  Download at https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/

• The Wisdom Buried in the Wreckage

  Being fired can feel like a sudden collapse—of plans, identity, and certainty. One moment, you’re moving forward with a clear sense of direction; the next, you’re left standing in the aftermath, trying to make sense of what just happened. It’s disorienting. It’s painful. And for many, it feels deeply personal.

  But buried within the shock, the disappointment, and the questions—there is often something unexpected: wisdom.

  The kind of wisdom that emerges over time, as you begin to reflect, process, and rebuild.

  When the Noise Clears

  In the days and weeks following a job loss, your mind is often filled with the noise of replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, wondering what you could have done differently. It’s a natural response. Your brain is trying to restore order to something that feels chaotic.

  But as that initial intensity begins to settle, something shifts. The external structure that once defined your days is gone. The expectations, the performance, the constant motion — all of them pauses.

  And in that pause, there is space to: Attend to what about your job you may have ignored.

  Question what you once accepted even though it may have been toxic. Hear the yearning of work you’ve always wanted to do.

  The Lessons You Couldn’t See Before

  While no one seeks out the experience of being fired, it often reveals truths that were difficult to access while you were inside the role.

  You may begin to recognize:

  • Where you were misaligned with your values
  • How long have you tolerated environments that didn’t support you
  • The ways you overextended, over-performed, or overlooked your own needs
  • Patterns in communication, boundaries, or decision-making that are now clearer in hindsight

  When everything is working on the surface, there’s little incentive to look deeper. It’s often the disruption of the loss of the routine of work that brings clarity.

  Separating Identity from Circumstance

  One of the most powerful pieces of wisdom that can emerge from this experience is the understanding that what happened to you is not who you are.

  A job ending, whether expected or abrupt or by your choice or not can feel like a verdict of you.

  Over time, you begin to see the distinction between your role and learn that you are much more than a title a single decision made by someone else and a paycheck.

  Re-evaluating Success

  Being fired often forces a reevaluation of what success means.

  In the absence of markers like title, income, recognition and stability, new questions begin to emerge:

  • What kind of work actually engages me?
  • What environments allow me to do my best work?
  • What am I no longer willing to compromise?

  These are not quick questions to answer. But they are essential ones. And they often lead to more aligned, intentional choices moving forward.

  Rebuilding with Intention

  The wisdom gained from a job loss becomes most valuable when it informs what you build next. 

  This means you move forward with a deeper understanding of yourself — your needs, your boundaries, your priorities. Instead of simply returning to what is familiar, you have the opportunity to choose differently:

  • To seek environments that align with your values
  • To set clearer expectations and boundaries
  • To pursue work that feels both sustainable and meaningful

  A Different Kind of Strength

  There is a quiet strength that develops after experiences like this.  Strength comes from reflection, honesty, and growth. You begin to trust yourself in a different way because you know you can navigate uncertainty.

  You’ve seen what it feels like to have something fall apart and you persevere despite your circumstances.

  The conclusion is that when a job ends you now have the opportunity to rebuild with greater clarity, deeper alignment, and a stronger connection to what truly matters.

  Discover Your Life Purpose. Download my FREE Workbook or pre-order my book Fired to Inspired: https://firedtoinspired.com/workbooks/.

• From Setback to Success: Personal Growth and Resilience in Business

  Losing your job feels like a dead end, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. One person turned their setback into a thriving business by holding on to a simple idea and fierce determination. Their story is one of personal growth and resilience in business that shows how you can turn failure into success. Read on to find lessons that make overcoming career setbacks more than possible—it can be the start of your entrepreneurship journey. For more stories that inspire, check this link.

  Turning Failure into Success

  Life can throw curveballs that seem insurmountable at first. Yet, some turn these moments into opportunities for growth and achievement. How can you do the same?

  Overcoming Career Setbacks

  Imagine losing your job and feeling lost. You’re not alone; many have faced this daunting challenge. Yet, each challenge is a chance to pivot and explore new paths. Consider the story of an individual who took job loss as a cue to start afresh. They began with a simple idea and turned it into a flourishing business. This isn’t just a story—it’s a blueprint for success.

  Here’s the key insight: Your setback can be your comeback. By staying focused and embracing new opportunities, you can transform adversity into a launchpad for success. Most people think losing a job is the end, but it’s often the beginning. If you need more inspiration, check out this article.

  Personal Growth and Resilience

  Resilience is the cornerstone of personal growth. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about bouncing back stronger. When faced with setbacks, focus on what you can control. Adaptability becomes your superpower.

  Take, for instance, someone who used their job loss to reassess their life goals. They realized their passion for helping others and turned it into a coaching business. They didn’t just survive—they thrived. This story is a testament to the power of resilience.

  Here’s your takeaway: Personal growth is a journey, not a destination. Every experience, good or bad, adds to your growth. Don’t shy away from challenges; embrace them as opportunities to learn and evolve.The Entrepreneurship Journey

  The Entrepreneurship Journey

  Embarking on an entrepreneurship journey often begins with a single step—a decision to try something new. This path can lead to incredible success stories, offering lessons in resilience and determination.

  Job Loss Stories to Business Success

  There are countless stories of individuals who turned their job loss into business success. One inspiring example is a person who, after being laid off, started a small online shop. With perseverance, that shop grew into a major retail business. They turned their initial setback into a flourishing enterprise.

  The lesson here is clear: Every setback is an opportunity in disguise. By maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on your goals, you can transform challenges into stepping stones to success.

  Lessons in Resilience in Business

  Running a business tests your resilience daily. It’s not just about having a great idea; it’s about weathering storms and navigating obstacles. Successful entrepreneurs share a common trait—unwavering resilience.

  Consider the entrepreneur who faced multiple rejections before finally landing a major client. Their persistence paid off, proving that resilience often leads to breakthroughs.

  Here’s a crucial insight: Resilience isn’t innate, it’s developed. Each challenge you face builds your resilience muscle, preparing you for future battles. For more insights, explore this Forbes article.

  Finding Purpose and Meaning

  Discovering your purpose can transform your career and life. It’s about aligning your work with your passions and values. This alignment brings fulfillment and drives success.

  Actionable Steps for Personal Growth

  To find your purpose, start by reflecting on what truly matters to you. What are your passions? What impact do you want to make? Once you identify these, set clear goals to pursue them.

  1. Reflect: Spend time understanding your core values and interests.
  2. Set Goals: Create actionable steps that align with your purpose.
  3. Take Action: Begin small, and gradually move towards bigger objectives.

  These steps will help you progress toward a more meaningful and fulfilling career. Remember, it’s a continuous journey of growth and discovery.

  Inspiring Business Success Stories

  Inspirational stories abound of individuals who found purpose and succeeded in business. One such story involves an entrepreneur who founded a company that not only thrived but also gave back to the community. Their business wasn’t just about profit; it was about making a difference.

  Here’s what you need to know: Purpose-driven businesses often lead to greater success. When you align your passion with your work, it resonates with others, attracting customers and opportunities. For more such stories, visit LinkedIn.

  In conclusion, setbacks can be the catalyst for remarkable transformations. By embracing resilience and purpose, you open doors to new opportunities and redefine success on your terms. Remember, the journey is yours to shape, and every challenge is a step towards a brighter future.

  Ready to Stop Spinning and Start Moving Forward?

  Getting fired shakes you to your core—and so does waking up every day to work that feels meaningless. I’ve been there. I went from being fired as a single mother after two months to building a 1,300-person organization that gave second chances to people the world had written off. Now I want to help you find your way through. Pre-order Fired to Inspired for the roadmap I wish I’d had, or download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence and Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters. You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

• Embracing Your Career Challenges

  Career setbacks don’t just slow you down—they can shake your confidence and leave you stuck. You’re not alone if missed chances or layoffs feel like dead ends. Yet, these moments hold clues about your skills and the path ahead. By embracing challenges, you’ll find ways to grow your career and sharpen your skills for what’s next. Keep reading to learn how to turn obstacles into steps toward real career growth.

  Understanding Career Challenges

  Career challenges often feel overwhelming, but they can be the key to unlocking your potential. By examining these situations closely, you can uncover valuable insights about your career trajectory.

  Lessons from Career Setbacks

  Experiencing a setback at work can feel like a major blow. Whether it’s a missed promotion or unexpected layoff, these events often come with hidden lessons. Think about the skills you’ve built over time. What strengths helped you handle past challenges? By identifying these, you can better prepare for future hurdles.

  Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Consider how similar challenges have pushed other successful individuals to pivot their careers. Learn from their journeys and apply those insights to your own path. For example, many people who faced layoffs found new opportunities by branching into related fields or upskilling in high-demand areas.

  When faced with a setback, it’s crucial to assess what went wrong. Was it a skill gap? If so, how can you fill it? By pinpointing the exact cause, you can take targeted actions to improve. This reflection not only aids in recovery but also lays a foundation for lasting career growth.

  Reflecting on Career Path

  Taking a step back to evaluate your career path can be incredibly enlightening. Are you where you want to be? If not, what changes can you make to align your work with your goals? Reflecting on your career can reveal new directions you hadn’t considered before.

  Consider asking yourself some critical questions. Are your current roles fulfilling? Do they challenge you in the right ways? If the answer is no, it might be time to explore other options. This doesn’t necessarily mean making a drastic change. Sometimes, small adjustments can lead to big improvements in job satisfaction.

  Think about the impact you want to make through your work. Is your current path helping you achieve that? If you desire more meaningful work, exploring social entrepreneurship could be a rewarding avenue. This approach not only enhances your career but also contributes positively to the community.

  Strategies for Professional Growth

  Now that you’ve recognized the importance of understanding your career challenges, it’s time to explore actionable strategies for growth. These tactics can help you navigate obstacles and improve your skills.

  Overcoming Obstacles Effectively

  Getting past obstacles requires a proactive mindset. Start by setting clear, achievable goals. Break these goals into smaller steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. By doing this, you create a roadmap to success, making the path ahead seem more manageable.

  Consider building a support system. Connect with mentors or peers who have faced similar challenges. Their experiences can provide valuable guidance and encouragement. Additionally, don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from trusted colleagues. Constructive criticism can serve as a powerful tool for personal growth.

  Remember, it’s okay to seek external resources. Online courses and workshops, like those offered at Coursera, can provide fresh perspectives and new skills. By continuously learning, you not only stay relevant in your field but also open up new opportunities for advancement.

  Skills Improvement Tips

  Enhancing your skill set is crucial for career advancement. Focus on areas that align with your goals and interests. Start by identifying gaps in your current skills and seek resources to fill them. Whether it’s through online courses or professional workshops, the options are vast.

  It’s important to prioritize both hard and soft skills. Technical skills are essential, but soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence can set you apart. According to a study, 92% of executives believe soft skills are equally or more important than technical skills.

  Create a personal development plan. Outline the skills you want to acquire and set a timeline for achieving them. This structured approach ensures steady progress and keeps you motivated. Remember, skill development is a continuous process, so keep refining your plan as you grow.

  Leveraging Challenges for Future Success

  By now, you’ve gathered strategies to overcome obstacles and improve your skills. The next step is to leverage these challenges for future success. This involves reflecting on your experiences and using them to chart new directions in your career.

  Career Reflection for New Directions

  Reflecting on your career helps you identify what truly matters to you. This insight can guide you toward paths that align with your vision and values. Consider how your experiences have shaped your professional journey. What lessons have you learned?

  Use this reflection to explore new career directions. Perhaps you’ve realized a passion for leadership or a desire to work in a different industry. These insights can lead to fulfilling opportunities that you might not have considered before.

  Think about setting SMART goals for your career. As outlined by Deliberate Directions, these goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Crafting goals with this framework ensures clarity and focus as you pursue new directions.

  Job Search Strategies for Growth

  When it’s time to seek new opportunities, having a strategic approach is essential. Start by updating your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your newfound skills and achievements. Highlight the ways you’ve overcome challenges and the value you can bring to potential employers.

  Networking is crucial in any job search. Attend industry events and join online forums to connect with professionals who can offer insights and opportunities. Building relationships can lead to referrals and open doors to roles that align with your career goals.

  Lastly, be open to diverse opportunities. Sometimes, the best roles aren’t the ones you initially envision. By staying flexible and curious, you can discover positions that not only fit your skill set but also provide room for growth and fulfillment.

  In summary, embracing career challenges can lead to remarkable growth. By understanding setbacks, improving skills, and exploring new paths, you can transform obstacles into stepping stones for success. Remember, it’s the journey, not just the destination, that truly defines your career.

  Ready to Stop Spinning and Start Moving Forward?

  Getting fired shakes you to your core—and so does waking up every day to work that feels meaningless. I’ve been there. I went from being fired as a single mother after two months to building a 1,300-person organization that gave second chances to people the world had written off. Now I want to help you find your way through. Pre-order Fired to Inspired for the roadmap I wish I’d had, or download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence and Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters. You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

• Ready to Turn Your Setback Into Your Setup?

  Getting fired felt like falling into an abyss. But here’s what I discovered at the bottom: the foundation for everything that mattered most.

  That “worst day” became the first day of building a 1,300-person social enterprise dedicated to hiring people the world had written off. Turns out, being written off myself was exactly the education I needed.

  Your pink slip might just be your permission slip.

  Start your own excavation. Head over to www.firedtoinspired.com and download the free Finding Your Life Purpose Workbook—a guided dig into what you’re actually here to do. And while you’re there, pre-sign up for my upcoming book, Fired to Inspired, where I’ll share the full story of how rock bottom became the launchpad.

  Because sometimes the door that slams shut is just clearing the way for the one you were meant to walk through.

  Turning Adversity into Strength

  Every challenge you face has the potential to make you stronger. Think about a time when you were knocked down. What did you learn? Maybe you discovered a hidden strength or passion. Most people think failure is the end, but it can be the beginning of something incredible. The key is to view setbacks as stepping stones. They push you out of your comfort zone and into a place of growth. Each obstacle teaches resilience, which is essential for achieving long-term goals.

  Learning from Personal Challenges

  Facing a setback might feel like the end of the world, but it is often just the beginning. Reflect on the lessons learned. Did you understand yourself better? Did you realize what truly matters to you? These insights are gold. They guide your next steps and help you avoid similar pitfalls in the future. Your journey of self-discovery starts here, and it’s worth every step.

  Steps to Finding Purpose

  Once you’ve accepted that setbacks can be opportunities, the next step is discovering your purpose. This involves looking inward and uncovering what truly matters to you.

  Reflecting on What Truly Matters

  Begin by asking yourself what you value most. Is it family, freedom, or creativity? Make a list of your top values. When you know what matters, decisions become clearer. You’ll start to see which paths align with your core beliefs. Inner reflection isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a crucial step in understanding yourself. As you dig deeper, you’ll unearth passions and desires that may have been buried by daily routines.

  To dive deeper into self-discovery, consider exploring exercises that prompt inner reflection. Explore these self-reflection questions to aid your growth.

  Aligning Actions with Values

  Once you’ve identified your core values, it’s time to align your actions. Are you living in a way that reflects what you hold dear? Make adjustments where needed. Sometimes, this means making tough choices, like changing jobs or ending toxic relationships. But the reward is a life that feels authentic and fulfilling. Here’s the key insight: when your actions match your values, life becomes more meaningful. You’ll find yourself moving forward with purpose and clarity.

  Personal Growth Through Self-Discovery

  The Power of Inner Reflection Taking time for inner reflection can be transformative. It allows you to step back and view your life from a new perspective. What have you achieved? What are you proud of? These reflections can fuel your motivation and guide you towards your goals. If you’re seeking methods for effective self-reflection, consider exploring this guide for insights.

  Think of self-reflection as your personal check-in. It allows you to evaluate progress and adjust your path as needed. Most people rush through life without pausing to reflect. But those who do often find greater satisfaction and success.

  Building Resilience for Future Success

  Resilience is like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Each setback you overcome adds to your resilience. You become better equipped to handle future challenges. Resilient people see setbacks as temporary, not as insurmountable obstacles. They bounce back, and you can too.

  The longer you wait to build resilience, the harder it becomes to face new challenges. Start today by embracing struggles as opportunities to grow. Before you know it, you’ll be tackling life’s hurdles with confidence and ease.

  In summary, turning setbacks into opportunities leads to personal growth and ultimately helps you find your purpose. By engaging in inner reflection and aligning your actions with your values, you can build a life that is both meaningful and resilient. Keep pushing forward—your journey is just beginning.

  Ready to Stop Spinning and Start Moving Forward?

  Getting fired shakes you to your core—and so does waking up every day to work that feels meaningless. I’ve been there. I went from being fired as a single mother after two months to building a 1,300-person organization that gave second chances to people the world had written off. Now I want to help you find your way through. Pre-order Fired to Inspired for the roadmap I wish I’d had, or download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence and Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters. You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

• Pursuing Purpose-Driven Work

  Most people settle for jobs that drain their energy instead of fueling their passion. When your aligned strengths connect with work that matters, every day feels different—you wake eager to contribute to society in a meaningful way. Finding fulfillment isn’t a dream; it’s a clear path you can follow. Let’s explore how purpose-driven work can bring job satisfaction and a stronger sense of career purpose. Learn more about aligning your work with your values and strengths here.

  Discovering Your Career Purpose

  Have you ever felt like something was missing in your work life? Finding your career purpose can change that. It’s about more than just a job; it’s about finding work that excites you and makes a difference.

  Identifying Personal Strengths

  Uncovering your strengths is the first step. What are you good at? Maybe you excel at problem-solving or have a knack for creative thinking. Write down what others often praise you for. This list will be your guide.

  Consider asking friends or colleagues for their insights about your strengths. Sometimes, others see qualities in us that we overlook.

  Exploring your strengths can uncover hidden talents. You might be surprised at what you find. This journey isn’t just self-reflection; it’s about opening new doors.

  Aligning Strengths with Work

  Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to connect them with your work. Imagine spending your days doing what you love and are good at. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

  Think about roles where your strengths shine. If you’re a natural leader, consider management positions. If creativity is your strength, roles in design or marketing might suit you.

  To make this transition smoother, research industries and companies that value your strengths. Aligning your work with your talents can lead to greater satisfaction and success.

  Uncovering your strengths is the first step. What are you good at? Maybe you excel at problem-solving or have a knack for creative thinking. Write down what others often praise you for. This list will be your guide.

  Consider asking friends or colleagues for their insights about your strengths. Sometimes, others see qualities in us that we overlook.

  Exploring your strengths can uncover hidden talents. You might be surprised at what you find. This journey isn’t just self-reflection; it’s about opening new doors.

  Aligning Strengths with Work

  Once you’ve identified your strengths, it’s time to connect them with your work. Imagine spending your days doing what you love and are good at. Doesn’t that sound amazing?

  Think about roles where your strengths shine. If you’re a natural leader, consider management positions. If creativity is your strength, roles in design or marketing might suit you.

  To make this transition smoother, research industries and companies that value your strengths. Aligning your work with your talents can lead to greater satisfaction and success.

  Finding Fulfillment in Work

  When you align your strengths with your work, you find more than just a job. You find fulfillment. This isn’t just about a paycheck; it’s about waking up excited to make a difference.

  Work That Matters

  Imagine a job where you contribute to something bigger than yourself. This could be a role in a non-profit or a company with a strong mission.

  Your work should make you proud. Think about what causes or industries you’re passionate about. Working in these areas can bring joy and purpose to your life.

  Remember, most people spend a significant part of their lives working. Why not spend that time doing something meaningful?

  Contributing to Society

  Your work can impact the world positively. Consider careers that give back, like teaching or healthcare. These roles not only benefit you but also the community.

  Volunteering is another way to make a difference. It can also provide valuable experience and insights into potential career paths.

  Being part of something bigger can bring immense satisfaction. It’s not just about personal gain; it’s about leaving a positive mark on society.

  Achieving Job Satisfaction

  Finding your career purpose and aligning it with work that matters leads to job satisfaction. It’s not just about money; it’s about loving what you do.

  Every career has challenges. The key is to see them as opportunities for growth. Troubles at work can teach you resilience and problem-solving.

  When faced with a challenge, break it down into smaller, manageable parts. Tackle each part one by one. This approach makes even the toughest problems seem solvable.

  Most people view setbacks as negative, but they can also be a chance to learn. Embrace them, and you’ll grow stronger.

  Life Purpose Discovery

  Discovering your life purpose is a journey, not a destination. It’s about continuous growth and learning.

  Reflect on what truly matters to you. What legacy do you want to leave? These questions can guide your path.

  Take small steps towards your purpose every day. Each step brings you closer to a fulfilling career and life.

  In the end, pursuing purpose-driven work is about more than just a job. It’s about finding joy, making an impact, and living a life that feels true to you.

  Confused about your purpose and mission and how to find work that authentically aligns with who you are?

  You’ve come to the right place. Head to www.firedtoinspired.com and download the free Finding Your Life Purpose Workbook—a guided dig into what you’re actually here to do. And while you’re there, pre-sign up for my upcoming book, Fired to Inspired, where I’ll share the full story of how hitting ground zero became the launchpad for building a company with 1,300 employees.

• Building Resilience After Job Loss: Practical Steps to Regain Confidence and Momentum

  Losing your job hits harder than you expected, shaking your confidence and clouding your days. Feeling upset is natural, but staying stuck only slows your job loss recovery. By focusing on small achievable goals, you can start building confidence and regain momentum. This isn’t about ignoring challenges—it’s about meeting them head-on and strengthening your emotional well-being. Ready to take the next step? The free workbook for resilience, Embracing Courage, can guide you. Check it out here.

  Understanding Emotional Impact

  Losing a job can feel overwhelming, but understanding how it affects you emotionally is the first step towards recovery. Let’s delve into the emotional impact and how to navigate it effectively.

  Acknowledge and Accept Feelings

  It’s okay to feel hurt, angry, or even relieved when a job ends. Give yourself permission to acknowledge these emotions. Ignoring them only builds more stress. Most people think brushing it off will help, but confronting your feelings is a powerful first move. Journaling can be therapeutic. Write down your thoughts and reflect on what you’re experiencing. Remember, these emotions are part of the process, not a permanent state. Embracing your feelings is the foundation of emotional well-being. For more insights, visit Building Resilience.

  Seek Emotional Support

  Talking to someone can lighten the burden. Reach out to friends, family, or even a professional counselor. Sharing your story brings relief and a fresh perspective. Consider support groups. They connect you with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and shared understanding. Most people underestimate the power of support. But hearing someone say, “I’ve been there,” can be incredibly validating. Discover strategies for support at Positive Psychology.

  Regaining Control and Confidence

  Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, it’s time to regain control. This is where your journey to rebuilding confidence begins.

  Set Small Achievable Goals

  Start with simple, attainable goals. Maybe it’s updating your resume or reading a chapter of a career-related book each day. Small wins boost your confidence and build momentum. Create a list of daily or weekly goals. Checking them off provides a sense of accomplishment and control. Remember, this isn’t about monumental changes overnight. It’s about consistent, manageable steps forward. Learn more about goal-setting here.

  Building Confidence Through Action

  Action is a powerful antidote to fear and uncertainty. Volunteer, take an online course, or start a new hobby. These actions not only fill your time but enhance your skills and network. Think of it as a confidence-boosting cycle: the more you do, the more capable you feel. Most people think they need to wait for confidence to act. In reality, action breeds confidence. For practical ideas, explore this LinkedIn guide.

  Practical Steps for Job Loss Recovery

  With your confidence on the rise, let’s look at practical steps to recover from job loss and set the stage for new opportunities.

  Develop a Resilience Plan

  A resilience plan acts like a roadmap through adversity. Identify your strengths and resources. What skills can you leverage? What support systems are in place? Write down potential challenges and brainstorm solutions. This proactive approach prepares you for bumps in the road. Remember, resilience is about preparing, not just reacting. For a deeper dive, check out this Resilience Workbook.

  Embracing Courage with a Workbook for Resilience

  Ready to turn theory into practice? The Embracing Courage workbook offers structured exercises to build your resilience. It guides you through reflections and action steps tailored to your journey. The longer you delay, the more you miss out on growth. Embrace this opportunity to rebuild and thrive. Discover how this workbook can support your journey on Embracing Joy.

  By understanding and addressing the emotional impact of job loss, setting achievable goals, and developing a resilience plan, you’re not just recovering; you’re poised to come back stronger. Your journey of resilience starts now.

  Download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence and Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters. You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

• Actionable Advice for New Beginnings

  Starting fresh in your career doesn’t happen by chance—it takes a clear plan. You need to spot opportunities that fit your skills and goals, sharpen what you already know, and build connections that open doors. These three steps set the foundation for your next move. Ready to make that change? Let’s break down how to get started today. [https://ascc.wsu.edu/blog/2024/08/22/4-networking-tips-for-a-successful-career-change/]

  Finding Your Path

  Recognizing where you want to go is the first step on your new career journey. Let’s explore how you can make that happen.

  Spotting Opportunities

  Finding the right role starts with knowing what you’re good at and what you enjoy. Think about your strengths and passions. Where do they intersect? Write down your top five skills and interests. Then, search for roles that match these areas. Look beyond traditional job listings. Consider freelance work or startup roles, which often offer fresh opportunities.

  Sometimes, the best roles aren’t advertised. It’s essential to have a keen eye and an open mind. Research companies you’re interested in. Follow them online and stay updated on their news. When you see an opportunity, act fast. Tailor your resume to highlight how you meet the job’s needs. By being proactive, you put yourself in a stronger position to seize the right role for you.

  Honing Your Skills

  Once you’ve identified potential roles, it’s time to sharpen your skills. Begin with an honest self-assessment. Which skills need improvement? Consider taking online courses or workshops. Many platforms offer free resources, allowing you to learn at your pace.

  You don’t have to go it alone. Join a study group or find a mentor. These connections can offer feedback and support your growth. Remember, each skill you hone increases your value in the job market. Keep learning, and you’ll be ready for any opportunity that comes your way.

  Building Connections

  Networking is more than just meeting people. It’s about building meaningful relationships. Start by reaching out to friends and former colleagues. Share your career goals and ask for advice. Attend industry events and engage in online forums related to your field.

  Building connections can open doors to unadvertised job opportunities. For more networking strategies, check out Bentley University’s networking tips. The longer you wait, the more chances you might miss. So, start connecting today.

  Taking Action

  Having identified your path, the next step is to act. Setting clear goals is crucial to making your vision a reality.

  Setting Clear Goals

  Goals give your journey direction. Break them down into short-term and long-term objectives. For example, aim to apply to three jobs a week or attend one networking event each month. Write down your goals and review them weekly.

  Stay flexible. If a goal isn’t working, adjust it. The key is to keep moving forward. Small steps over time lead to big changes. Keep your eyes on the prize, and you’ll reach your destination.

  Prioritizing Self-Improvement

  Your growth should always be a priority. Dedicate time each week to learn something new. Whether it’s reading a career-related book or listening to a podcast, make learning a habit.

  Self-improvement isn’t just about gaining skills. It’s about building resilience and confidence. By focusing on your growth, you become a more attractive candidate to employers and position yourself for success.

  Embracing Support Networks

  Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire you. This network might include mentors, peers, or family. Share your challenges and successes with them. Their insights can provide new perspectives.

  Building a support network also involves giving back. Offer help to others in your field. This reciprocity strengthens your connections and enriches your professional circle.

  Overcoming Challenges

  Every journey has its hurdles. Anticipating challenges and knowing how to overcome them is key to sustaining your progress.

  Overcoming Fear of Change

  Change can be intimidating, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. When fear creeps in, remind yourself why you started this journey. Focus on the potential benefits, not just the uncertainties.

  Most people fear change because they focus on potential failures. Flip this mindset. Instead, think about the learning and growth that new experiences bring. Accept that mistakes are part of the journey and use them as stepping stones.

  Learning from Setbacks

  Setbacks can feel discouraging, but they are also valuable teachers. When things don’t go as planned, take a step back and assess. What can you learn from the experience? Use this insight to adjust your approach.

  Remember, even successful people face setbacks. What distinguishes them is their ability to learn and adapt. Keep moving forward, and you’ll emerge stronger.

  Celebrating Small Wins

  Don’t wait until the end to celebrate. Recognize each small victory along the way. Did you complete a course? Land an interview? Celebrate it. These moments of success keep you motivated and focused.

  Celebrating small wins builds momentum and reminds you of the progress made. Maintain this positive mindset, and you’ll be more equipped to handle challenges that come your way.

  Embarking on a new career path is an exciting adventure. By following these steps and staying committed, you set the stage for a successful career reinvention. Your next chapter is waiting—take the first step today.

  Ready to Start Moving Forward?

  Pre-order Fired to Inspired for the roadmap I wish I’d had, or download my free interactive workbooks—Embracing Courage to rebuild your confidence, Finding Life Purpose to reconnect with what actually matters, and Informational Interviews – The Holy Grail of Moving Forward. You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

• Navigating the Grief Cycle After Job Loss: A Path to Career Resilience

  Losing your job hits harder than most people admit. The grief cycle that follows can shake your sense of career identity in ways self-help grief books don’t mention. Those waves of job loss emotions—shock, anger, rejection—don’t come in order; they crash over you, unpredictable and raw. Understanding these emotional responses to firing is the first step toward accepting job loss and finding a new path forward. For more insights, check out this practical guide.

  Understanding the Grief Cycle

  Job loss doesn’t just affect your daily routine; it affects your core identity. You might find yourself questioning your worth, your skills, and your future. These emotional waves are part of a grief cycle that can feel overwhelming. But understanding them is essential to moving forward.

  Emotional Waves of Job Loss

  When you lose your job, emotions don’t line up neatly. Instead, they crash into you, unpredictable and raw. One minute you’re in denial, thinking this can’t be happening. The next, anger takes over as you question why it happened to you. These feelings are normal. They’re part of the grief cycle that comes with losing something important.

  The waves of shock and rejection may seem unending. But by recognizing them, you can start to process what you’re going through. Most people think they’re alone in this struggle, but knowing others feel these waves can make them more manageable. As you navigate these emotions, remind yourself: you’re not alone.

  Impact on Career Identity

  The loss of a job isn’t just about income; it’s a blow to your identity. You’ve introduced yourself by your job title for years. Now, without it, you might feel lost. This identity crisis is a common part of job loss grief. Your career is intertwined with how you see yourself and how others see you.

  It’s easy to let this impact your confidence. But here’s the key insight: your job doesn’t define your value. You have skills and qualities that go beyond any title. By understanding this, you can start rebuilding your identity on a foundation of self-worth, not job status.

  Navigating Emotional Responses

  As you move through this process, the emotional landscape can be challenging. Let’s break down these responses and how to navigate them effectively.

  Shock and Denial

  Shock hits first. You might wake up, look around, and think, “This can’t be real.” Denial follows closely. It’s your mind’s way of protecting you from the immediate pain. You might tell yourself it’s just a mistake or temporary.

  Here’s the truth: shock and denial are natural. They give you time to adjust. But staying in denial won’t help you move forward. Acknowledging these feelings is the first step in overcoming them. Take a moment to breathe and accept where you are right now.

  Anger and Frustration

  Then comes anger. You might feel furious at your former employer, the world, or even yourself. Anger can feel empowering at first, providing energy to tackle the situation. But it can also consume you if left unchecked.

  Channel this energy into something productive. Use it to fuel your search for new opportunities. Most people think anger is negative, but it can be a powerful motivator if directed positively. Remember, it’s okay to feel angry; just don’t let it control you.

  Rejection and Self-Worth

  Rejection stings. Losing a job can feel like losing a part of yourself. It’s easy to spiral into thoughts of inadequacy. But here’s a pattern break: being let go doesn’t diminish your worth.

  Focus on your strengths and achievements. Write them down and revisit them when self-doubt creeps in. This isn’t about ignoring your feelings; it’s about building a solid foundation of self-worth that can withstand external setbacks.

  Moving Toward Acceptance

  Accepting job loss is a gradual process. It involves working through bargaining and reflection to reach a place of peace and readiness for what comes next.

  Bargaining and Reflection

  Bargaining enters as you play “what if” games. “What if I had worked harder?” or “What if I had seen it coming?” These thoughts are normal, but they can trap you in a cycle of regret.

  Reflect instead on what you’ve learned. This experience can be a catalyst for growth. Explore how others have navigated these thoughts. Use this reflection as a tool for building a stronger, more resilient you.

  Depression and Shame

  A wave of sadness may follow. The shame of telling others you lost your job can be overwhelming. But remember: many successful people have faced similar setbacks.

  Reach out for support. Talk to friends, family, or professionals who can help you see your worth beyond your career. Here’s a key insight: you’re not defined by a single moment in time. Your story is still unfolding, and this is just one chapter.

  Embracing New Opportunities

  Finally, acceptance allows you to see new possibilities. You’re ready to explore options and take steps towards a fulfilling future. This is where real transformation begins.

  Allow yourself to dream. What have you always wanted to do but didn’t have the chance? Now is the time to pursue those passions. Embrace the opportunity to redefine your career path and open doors to exciting possibilities. Check out this inspiring journey for ideas on how others have found new paths.

  Navigating job loss is challenging, but it’s also a chance for growth and renewal. By understanding the grief cycle and embracing each stage, you can emerge stronger and more focused on what truly matters to you. Remember, the longer you wait, the more these emotions can hold you back. Take the first step today towards a future filled with promise and purpose. Download the FREE Embracing Your Courage: Transform Your Fear Into Fuel workbook.

• 
  Sheryl Marrero, CEO of SavKon Construction

  I was introduced to Merry Korn as a business mentor over five years ago. At that time, my company was generating close to $1,000,000 in annual revenue, but I was struggling to navigate profit margins and achieve sustainable profitability. Working with Merry has been transformative for my business. Under her guidance, I have more than doubled my revenue to over $2,000,000 annually, achieved consistent profitability, and gained the confidence to leave my full-time position to focus entirely on growing my company. I am now positioned for continued profitable expansion. Beyond her exceptional business acumen, what distinguishes Merry as a mentor is the genuine trust and rapport she builds with her clients. Our professional relationship has evolved into one where I know I can reach out at any time, and she is always genuinely interested in my progress and eager to support my continued success. Effective coaching requires more than just technical expertise—though Merry certainly possesses that in abundance. The trust, accessibility, and authentic connection she fosters are equally vital to achieving meaningful results. Merry excels in all of these areas, making her an invaluable resource for any business owner seeking to scale and optimize their operations.

• 
  Nancy Langer, President of sbLiftOff

  Merry Korn helped us strategize how to broaden our appeal to the market. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to see the obvious. We executed on Merry’s advice and have seen a three-fold increase in our sales funnel. Highly recommend the mentoring and coaching they provide, especially to get your business development “unstuck!”

• 
  Lili C. Reitz, Esq., Executive Director of FUND THE CLIMB FOUNDATION

  I can honestly say neither I nor my organization would be where we are today without the mentorship and guidance of Merry. I am fortunate to have been connected with Merry through a mutual friend who obviously knew I needed what she had to offer 2 years ago, when I was starting up a new nonprofit. Merry reminded me that a nonprofit was a business and should be run accordingly, and with her guidance and critical review, we started with a business plan and impact roadmap that continues to direct the mission of our organization. We meet regularly to review progress and discuss challenges, and Merry offers her ideas, thoughts and support that I know are tailored to my organization and our needs. Her faith in me and the work we do has kept me focused and driven to continue to work towards our goals, and it makes all the difference having Merry’s guidance and support along the way! 

• 
  Sarah Altman PhD, Owner at Eating and Behavioral Health Associates, LLC.

  It is with deep gratitude and admiration that I recommend Merry Korn’s coaching, training, and business consulting services. Merry has a rare ability to meet entrepreneurs exactly where they are—offering both compassionate support and clear, actionable strategy. As a mental health professional who never envisioned myself as a business owner, I came into mentorship with uncertainty around growth, leadership, and financial decision-making. Merry’s guidance helped me shift from overwhelmed to empowered. What sets Merry apart is her talent for combining big-picture thinking with practical business acumen. She helped me gain clarity around the identity of my business, understand key financial tools like profit and loss statements, and make high-stakes decisions with confidence. Her mentorship was never about imposing a formula—it was about listening deeply, asking the right questions, and equipping me to lead with both heart and strategy. Merry is a visionary mentor who truly transforms the way women lead their businesses. She brings an extensive network, deep business insight, and an unwavering belief in her clients’ potential. If you’re seeking a coach who will challenge, support, and guide you toward sustainable, mission-driven growth, Merry Korn is an extraordinary mentor.

• 
  Mary McCarthy, Executive Director of the Women Small Business Accelerator

  As the founder and Executive Director for  the Women Small Business Accelerator, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Merry Korn over the past several years and have witnessed firsthand the significant impact of her expertise on our organization and the women entrepreneurs we serve. Merry has been instrumental in supporting the strategic direction and growth of the Women Small Business Accelerator. More importantly,  Merry has directly worked with several women business owners in our program, providing them with the coaching and mentoring needed to strengthen their business foundations and position for growth. The entrepreneurs who have worked with Merry have consistently positioned their businesses for sustainable growth and expansion. I wholeheartedly recommend Merry’s business coaching and mentoring services to any organization or entrepreneur seeking to accelerate their growth and strengthen their business operations.

• 
  Sheri Chaney Jones, Founder and CEO of SureImpact

  Working with Merry Korn was a game-changer for me and my business. At a critical turning point in my career, I was overwhelmed trying to scale my consulting company while managing everything myself. Merry stepped in with the clarity, structure, and strategic insight I desperately needed. Her mentorship helped me break free from limiting patterns, envision a bold future, and confidently pursue larger enterprise clients. With her encouragement and expertise, I not only grew my consulting firm — I also launched a technology company. Merry doesn’t just coach; she empowers you to lead with vision and scale with purpose.

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