Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

From Fired to Fearless—How Reinvention Built a Multi-Passionate Empire ( Michelle Thames)

What if losing everything was the spark you needed to build your dream life?

In this episode, Michelle Thames reveals how being fired from her healthcare job became the catalyst for a radical reinvention. Discover how she transformed a side hustle into a thriving business, built a digital marketing agency with her husband, and became a sought-after speaker and podcast host.

Michelle’s story is a masterclass in betting on yourself, embracing your passions, and turning setbacks into your greatest advantage.

What You'll Learn:

  • Why getting fired can be the best thing that ever happened to you

  • The power of starting small and building one client at a time

  • How to balance multiple passions without losing focus

  • The mindset shift every woman over 40 needs to thrive in business

  • Why you don’t need to be everywhere to build visibility

Timestamps:

  • 00:02 — Fired & Fearless: Michelle’s turning point

  • 02:10 — From Side Hustle to Full-Time: The birth of a business

  • 04:30 — Building a Brand: Lessons from a multi-million dollar startup

  • 07:15 — Betting on Yourself: The moment Michelle went all in

  • 10:00 — Balancing Passions: Strategies for multi-passionate entrepreneurs

  • 13:20 — Reinventing After 40: Advice for late bloomers

  • 16:00 — Quickfire: Biggest leap, mindset shifts, and visibility mistakes

Guest Links:

  • Website: [Michelle Thames Media Solutions](#)

  • LinkedIn: [Michelle Thames](#)

  • Instagram: [@michellethames](#)

  • Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks