Second Act Success Podcast: Career Transitions, Entrepreneurship, and Business Advice for Women

What if getting let go from your corporate job was actually the best thing that ever happened to you? That’s exactly what happened to Kristen Lettini, host of the Build Your Own Fairytale Podcast, who turned a career setback into the ultimate opportunity to build a thriving business.

In this episode #183 of Second Act Success, Kristen shares how she transitioned from a stable corporate job in marketing and communications to entrepreneurship, helping solopreneurs streamline their businesses with smart systems. She opens up about the shock of being laid off, the challenges of navigating corporate career changes, and the moment she finally decided to take control of her future.

If you’re feeling stuck in your 9-to-5 and wondering what’s next, this conversation will give you the motivation—and the practical tips—you need to start building your own second act.

Tune in to learn:
✔️ How getting let go led Kristen to discover her true passion
✔️ Why taking small action steps is the key to transitioning into entrepreneurship
✔️ The importance of business systems for creatives and solopreneurs
✔️ How she scaled her business while maintaining work-life balance

💡 Ready to escape the corporate grind and create a business that lights you up? Hit play now!

📌 Connect with Kristen Lettini:
Website: KristenLettini.com
Instagram: @kristenlettini

🎧 Listen to more career transformation stories at SecondActSuccess.co

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You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.

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FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
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Are you thinking about pivoting into tech or launching your own business later in life? In this episode of Second Act Success, host Shannon Russell sits down with Kerry Ann King, CEO of Eluminate Labs, to discuss her inspiring journey from multiple career transitions to becoming a tech founder in her 50s.

Kerry Ann shares how she navigated layoffs, career shifts, and the challenges of being a woman in tech, ultimately building a software company focused on inclusivity and human well-being. She also dives into how her FIN Positive Productivity app is transforming task management by helping users create sustainable habits with real-time coaching.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Embracing career pivots: How Kerry Ann transitioned through multiple industries before launching her business
✅ Breaking into tech as a non-technical founder: Finding the right team and learning to lead in a male-dominated industry
✅ Building inclusive technology: Why tech should serve people, not exploit them
✅ The power of habits in career transitions: How small, consistent actions can prepare you for entrepreneurship
✅ Navigating layoffs and uncertainty: Turning setbacks into opportunities for growth

Tune in for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and redefining success at any stage of life!

🔗 Connect with Kerry Ann King:
📍 Website: eluminatelabs.com
📍 App: FIN Positive Productivity (Available on iOS & Android)
📍 LinkedIn: Kerry Ann King
📍 Instagram & Facebook: @EluminateLabs

🎧 Subscribe & Review Second Act Success for more inspiring career and business advice and career transition stories!

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You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy
FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen
LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/secondactsuccess.co
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@secondactsuccess
FREE Resources - https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

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Sheri Saginor’s career has taken a lot of unexpected turns over the last few decades. She spent her 20s as a musician, singing in a wedding band, living the gig life. After looking for a more steady paycheck, Sheri set her eyes on high tech sales. She spent a year in an admin position before transitioning to an outside sales rep. After many years of success in her position, and a brief stint as a stay-at-home mother, Sheri decided to put her communication skills to work as a freelance speechwriter, writing everything from keynote addresses to Ted Talks to tribute speeches. When the pandemic put an end to public speaking, Sheri didn’t settle. She learned a new career as an audiobook narrator. Now Sheri has a successful business narrating and producing audio books in all genres and combining her love of performing with her desire to stay out of the spotlight.

SHOW NOTES FOR THIS EPISODE:
https://secondactsuccess.co/45

CONNECT with Sheri Saginor:

Website – www.sherisaginor.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sherisaginor

Latest Audio Books:

The Creative Lives of Animals, by Carol Gigliotti

You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy
FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen
LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
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FREE Resources - https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

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Jordan Scott is a decision-making entrepreneur and the female founder and CEO of Cobble, an app designed to help people make better, faster decisions together. On this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, Jordan shares how she trusted her gut to leave the job she thought she wanted in TV News to take a leap of faith and pursue a career as a female founder. If you have had that dream, then listen on my friend!
Jordan graduated from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study in 2015. She began her career as a news associate at CBS This Morning before launching her startup. Jordan took an idea for a way to bring people together while they make plans together and turned it into a blog. From the blog, she designed an app and started crowdsourcing to bring Cobble to life. To date, Jordan has raised $3.3 million in seed funding, growing Cobble to tens of thousands of users who have swiped over 2M times on curated places and experiences in-app. Cobble is quickly expanding to new cities, optimizing decision-making functionality, and more. Jordan shares how she trusted her gut to leave the job she thought she wanted in TV News to take a leap of faith and pursue a career as a female founder. Listen to Shannon and Jordan's discussion on Episode #95 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast.

SHOW NOTEShttps://secondactsuccess.co/95
Connect with Jordan Scott:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-scott-354aa458/

Website: https://www.trycobble.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/trycobble

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trycobble/
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You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy
FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen
LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/secondactsuccess.co
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@secondactsuccess
FREE Resources - https://secondactsuccess.co/resources

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Strategic Career Breaks: Boost Your Second Act Success with Practical Tips | Ep #117
In Episode #117 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell explores the concept of career breaks and the impact they can have on one's professional journey. Shannon delves into the nuances of taking a temporary pause in your career, discussing the positive and negative aspects, along with the evolving perspectives in today's work landscape. If you are considering time off, a sabbatical, or requesting a longer leave at your job, you will learn some key things to consider in this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast.
SHOW NOTES:
https://secondactsuccess.co/117
Key Takeaways:

• Defining Career Breaks: Shannon defines career breaks as voluntary pauses in a person's professional journey, highlighting the temporary nature of stepping away from regular employment to focus on personal development, health, or specific life events.
• Challenges and Misconceptions: The episode addresses common challenges and misconceptions associated with career breaks, including concerns about resume gaps, financial impacts, and potential hurdles in job security and career progression.
• Evolution in Workplace Culture: Shannon explores how the perception of career breaks is evolving, especially in the context of the post-pandemic work environment. She discusses how some companies are becoming more accepting of career pauses, recognizing the benefits of employees returning refreshed and recharged.
• Benefits of Career Breaks: The podcast emphasizes the positive aspects of taking a break from your career, such as reevaluating professional goals, preventing burnout, and providing the necessary time for skill development or exploring new opportunities.
• Navigating the Conversation: Practical advice is shared on how to approach conversations with employers about career breaks, ensuring clarity on job security and future career progression upon return.

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You are listening to the Top 2% globally ranked podcast Second Act Success!
READ Shannon's Book - Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life at https://startyoursecondact.com.

Book a FREE Strategy Call with host and business coach Shannon Russell - https://www.calendly.com/second-act-success/coaching-strategy
FREE Resources
https://secondactsuccess.co/resources
LISTEN to the How To Quit Your Job and Start A Business Podcast!
https://secondactsuccess.co/listen
LET’S CONNECT!
Instagram - https://instagram.com/secondactsuccess
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