Quitting Corporate: How I Left & How I’d Do It Again in 2023
Episode 764: Show Notes
Quitting corporate and striking out on your own can be a daunting task. But with the right preparation and strategies, you can build the business you’ve always wanted without feeling totally overwhelmed. Today on the show, I share the story of how I quit corporate and started my own business in 2015 and how I would go about doing it again in 2023.
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Back in 2015, the online landscape was totally different, and starting your own company had far more barriers to entry than it does today. In the intervening years, technological advances have made it easier than ever to earn money online and organize your systems. While it’s wonderful that these tools have made starting a business more accessible, it also means that it can be more difficult to get your name out there. Tune in for a breakdown of my journey, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and a rundown of my advice for anyone looking to quit corporate and set out on their own in 2023!
My Career Before Starting My Own Business
Before starting Boss Project, I had a varied and busy career that was instrumental in my development. I went to school to study graphic design, partly as an act of rebellion against my parents (both of whom had trained as engineers) but also because it seemed like the most practical art degree I could get. At the time, the transition to digital was just starting to happen in the art and design world. Tools like Canva weren’t available, and if you needed design or artwork done, you had to hire a professional or agency to do it for you. There just weren’t accessible tools for everyday consumers back then.
When I went out into the working world, I decided to try out a lot of different things in quick succession because I wasn’t sure about what kind of environment I wanted to be in. Some of the places I worked were by choice, while others were the results of life unfolding and the circumstances I found myself in. I worked at a range of places in different roles, from being the in-house designer for a large financial firm to being recruited for an engineering startup in Kansas City, where I had the opportunity to really make a name for myself and move forward and do lots of cool new things.
The Challenges and Frustrations I Faced in Corporate
Working in a corporate environment brings its own unique set of challenges, which many people can relate to, either because they’ve experienced it firsthand, or they’ve seen other people going through it.
When I first entered the workforce, I had trouble navigating the corporate environment. A big factor was my age. I started working straight out of school and graduated early, so even my peers tended to be older than me. And because I was essentially part of the first group that was hired successfully after the Great Recession, there was a massive hole in middle management. That meant the directors and C-suite executives were 15 to 20 years my senior. As a result, I experienced a lot of ageism. I was constantly spoken down to and treated as if I were a child. It was an incredibly frustrating experience.
As a woman, I also encountered a lot of barriers. I was often given administrative tasks that didn’t fit my job description (including watering plants), and I was always passed over for upcoming jobs and promotions. In fact, it was after being passed over for a particularly significant promotion where I was the ideal candidate — which really stung — that I realized that it was time for me to start looking elsewhere.
How I Benefited From Working in Corporate
Working in corporate wasn’t all bad. It gave me the opportunity to learn many valuable skills, which helped me start my career with a huge leg up. I learned about landing pages, email funnels, good-quality copywriting, web development, branding, and so much more.
One of the biggest things I learned about was production — which, honestly, is a topic we don’t talk about enough. I was in a position where I had to do a ton of work in a very short space of time — I’m talking about hundreds of projects a month! A key lesson I learned from this is that while perfection might not be achievable, it is possible to put out a really great product in a short time, test things, experiment, and see what will be effective.
It also gave me exposure to many types of businesses and people. I got to see small businesses working on lean budgets and witnessed firsthand how they got creative and tried different tactics to help them succeed. Conversely, I also worked in billion-dollar companies where money was everywhere. People were using company cards for all sorts of things!
The Difference Between 2015 and 2023
Starting a business in 2015 is undeniably different from starting one in 2023. For starters, the online landscape is totally different. We’ve had incredible technological advancements over the past eight years. The CRM that we use today, in 2023, were spreadsheets when I was starting out! I remember doing paper contracts and sending physical checks in through the mail, whereas today, there are plenty of accessible options to bill online and collect payment. All of these changes have made it easier than ever to work for yourself. But it also means the market is more competitive, and more people are entering this space than ever before!
How I Left Corporate
I was told, on a totally unremarkable Tuesday, that our entire marketing department was being laid off. As you can imagine, this came as a huge shock to me. Was there turnover in this environment? Sure. But did I anticipate it being this drastic or this sudden? Absolutely not. At that moment, I decided it was time for a shift.
I had a few options before me. I could call my old boss and get my job back, or I could use the connections that I had built over the past eight years to find a new job in a new industry. There was also the option of going to an agency, but that would entail some drastic changes in my day-to-day life. Alternatively, I use this as an opportunity to leverage the future growth of what would be my business. And so I decided to take that opportunity!
This was by no means an easy decision, especially since I was the financial breadwinner with a stable job throughout our marriage. Luckily I’d been doing work on the side and building contacts throughout my career, which allowed me to leverage my network to great effect when I set out on my own! My goal was to do branding, work on websites, and literally any other project that someone would throw my way.
Those initial clients taught me so much! In less than 30 days, I completely replaced my corporate salary, only to be slapped in the face when I made a mere 75 dollars the next month. After that, I set out to find a sustainable source for endless leads, so I didn’t need to think about where my next clients would be coming from. It was definitely a learning curve, but it was totally worthwhile.
What I Would Do if I Were Leaving Corporate in 2023
So, what would I do if I were to leave corporate and start a business in 2023? First of all, I would definitely be leveraging online platforms. But I would take a different approach. In 2015, the logical strategy would have been to leverage platforms to build an audience and get free organic exposure for you and your business. In the intervening years, social media has become much more saturated, which calls for a different strategy.
Right now, your reach is small, but your opportunity for depth is huge. My advice would be to focus on relationships and utilize online tools to meet those people. Because ultimately, who you know is still the name of the game, whether it’s 2015 or 2023. Working to build those relationships would be my number one priority.
In addition, you shouldn’t be afraid to embrace technology, especially if you are growing or scaling your business. AI is the biggest technological leap since the internet, and there’s no telling how big an impact it will have. I’d also be leveraging data; it’s a great way to determine early on whether things are resonating. And ultimately, one of the most important things I’ve discovered along the way is the value of continuous learning. Because the business I started is not the business I have today!
If you’re interested in transitioning out of corporate, or if you’re in the building or scaling phase, I’d love to chat. You can find a time on my calendar here to talk about what’s next for you and your business, or reach out to me on Instagram at @bossproject or @abagailsays!
Quote This
One of the biggest things I've learned along the way is the importance of continuous learning. Because the business I started is not the business I have today.
Highlights
My Career Before Starting My Own Business [0:00:42]
The Challenges and Frustrations I Faced in Corporate [0:06:32]
How I Benefited From Working in Corporate [0:11:41]
The Difference Between 2015 and 2023 [0:14:10]
How I Left Corporate [0:17:05]
What I Would Do if I Were Leaving Corporate in 2023 [0:28:59]
We Mentioned:
Today’s Guest:
Abagail Pumphrey
The Strategy Hour Podcast
The Strategy Hour Podcast is a twice weekly show hosted by Abagail Pumphrey and Emylee Williams, the founders of Boss Project. Join us for semi-ranty biz conversations for service providers looking to ethically grow their agency businesses. Episodes cover everything from lead generation to leadership mindset to team culture and beyond.
Key Topics:
Corporate, Career, Entrepreneurship, Growth, Scaling
