Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast

Shannon Russell | Career Change & Business Coach for Women
  • 5.0 (69)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked podcast for women ready to make a career change, quit their job, start a business, and become their own boss. Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach for women, author, and entrepreneur, Second Act Success helps women transition from employee to entrepreneur and build a business using the skills, experience, and ideas they already have. If you're wondering how to start a business, considering a career change after 40, growing a side hustle, or planning your exit from corporate, you'll find practical business advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help you build your next chapter. Listen and learn how to: • Quit your job and start a business• Navigate a career change or midlife career transition• Find and validate the right business idea• Turn your skills and experience into a profitable business• Create a business plan and find your ideal clients• Build your personal brand and market your business• Turn a side hustle into a full-time business• Transition from employee to entrepreneur• Become your own boss without starting over from scratch You'll also hear real-life success stories from female entrepreneurs and women who have changed careers, left corporate jobs, started businesses, and created more flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives. Is this podcast for you? Are you dreaming about quitting your job to start your own business? Do you have a business idea but aren't sure where to begin? Are you wondering how to use your corporate experience to become an entrepreneur? Do you want more flexibility for your family and the things that matter most to you? Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a business or finally become your own boss? If you're ready to stop wondering "what if?" and start building your second act, you're in the right place. 🎧 Listen to new episodes every week for career change strategies, entrepreneurship advice, business tips for women, and inspiration to help you build your second act. 🔗 Book a free Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon Russell and find free resources at secondactsuccess.co. Subscribe to Second Act Success and start building the career, business, and life you want next.

  1. Aug 17

    Career Change After 40: How to Figure Out What's Next | #265

    Are you thinking about a career change but have no idea what you want to do next? Maybe your current career no longer fits the person you are today. Maybe you’ve experienced an “aha moment” that made you question your work, your priorities, or what you want your life to look like. Or maybe you simply know you’re ready for something different. In this special episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach and career transition coach Shannon Russell shares Chapter 3, “Discovering Your Second Act,” from her book Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life.  Shannon walks you through the process of discovering your next chapter and reminds you that making a midlife career transition does not mean starting over. Your skills, experience, relationships, resilience, and knowledge come with you.  You’ll learn how to reflect on what is and isn’t working in your current career, identify your strengths and passions, explore second act career ideas, build your network, prepare financially for a career transition, and create a timeline for making your next move. Shannon also shares lessons from her own transition from television producer to entrepreneur and explains how the skills she developed during 16 years in the entertainment industry helped her build successful businesses.  Whether you’re considering leaving corporate, starting a business, becoming a female entrepreneur, or simply searching for a more flexible career, this episode will help you begin thinking differently about what your next chapter could look like. Because your first career gave you experience. Your second act career is your opportunity to decide how you want to use it. If you’re ready for career reinvention, press play and start discovering what your second act could be. 🔗 Get the full show notes here! Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  2. 1d ago

    Start a Consulting Business and Build a Career You Love | #278

    Thinking about leaving your corporate career to start a business? Book a free Second Act Strategy Call: https://secondactsuccess.co/strategy In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell, you'll meet Risa Seelenfreund, leadership coach and founder of LightSpark Leadership. Shannon and Risa discuss how she transitioned from a corporate marketing career into leadership development and eventually built her own successful consulting business. After years of working in corporate roles and balancing the demands of motherhood, Risa discovered consulting as a way to continue doing meaningful work while creating more flexibility for her family. More than a decade later, she's sharing what she's learned about career transitions, transferable skills, entrepreneurship, networking, resilience, and building a business that fits your life. In this episode, you'll learn: How to identify transferable skills that can help you make a career change or start a businessWhy being good at something doesn't necessarily mean it's the right career path for youHow Risa transitioned from corporate marketing to leadership development and entrepreneurshipWhy networking, relationships, and referrals are essential for growing a coaching or consulting businessHow self-awareness, continuous learning, and resilience can help you navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurshipIf you're considering leaving corporate America, starting a consulting business, becoming a coach, or simply exploring what's next in your career, this conversation will remind you that your experience is valuable and your next chapter can build on everything you've already learned. 🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  3. 4d ago

    Stop Overthinking and Start Your Business (90-Day Business Sprint Day 5) | #277

    Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Welcome to Day 5 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell. Over five episodes, Shannon has helped you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, explore business ideas, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move. In this final episode, we're tackling one of the biggest obstacles aspiring entrepreneurs face: How do you stop waiting until you feel ready and finally start taking action? Shannon explains why confidence doesn't come before action. It develops as you take small steps, learn from your experiences, and build momentum toward your goals. Whether you're afraid of failure, questioning your qualifications, or struggling to find time to work on your business, this episode will help you move past overthinking and take that important first step. In this episode, you'll learn: Why waiting until you feel completely ready can keep you from starting a businessHow taking small actions helps you build confidence and overcome self-doubtWhy you don't need to quit your job or make a dramatic change to begin your second actHow to find small pockets of time to work toward your business goalsHow to choose one meaningful action you can complete in the next 24 hoursDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days You don't need a perfect plan, perfect timing, or complete confidence to begin. You just need to take the next step. Your second act can start today. Let's make these next 90 days count! Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast. Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  4. 5d ago

    How to Break Down Your Business Goals Into Action Steps (90-Day Business Sprint Day 4) | #276

    Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Welcome to Day 4 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell. Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move. In this fourth episode, we're focusing on an important step in turning your business idea into reality: How do you create a 90-day business plan that actually fits your life? Whether you're starting a business while working full-time, growing a side hustle, or balancing family responsibilities, you'll learn how to create a realistic plan that works with your schedule instead of adding more overwhelm. In this episode, you'll learn: How to break one big business goal into three monthly milestonesWhy scheduling your goals around your real-life commitments is essentialHow to create weekly action steps that move your business forwardWhy consistency matters more than creating an unrealistic scheduleHow to make time for your business while balancing work, family, and other responsibilitiesDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days You don't need 20 extra hours a week to make progress toward your business goals. You need a realistic plan and a commitment to keep moving forward. Build your business around your life, not the other way around. Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast. Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  5. 6d ago

    Will Your Business Idea Make Money? How to Test It (90-Day Business Sprint Day 3) | #275

    Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Welcome to Day 3 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell. Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move. In this third episode, we're focusing on an essential step before launching a business: How do you validate your business idea before investing your time and money? Shannon shares her Learn Before You Leap approach to entrepreneurship and explains why you don't need to quit your job, build a website, or spend money on branding before you know whether people actually want what you're planning to offer. Whether you're considering a consulting business, coaching services, or selling a physical product, you'll learn how to research your market, talk to potential customers, and gather feedback that can help you make smarter business decisions. In this episode, you'll learn: What it means to validate a business idea and why it matters before launchingHow to research your market and identify whether customers have a real needWhy talking to potential customers is more valuable than perfecting your logo or websiteHow to ask questions that uncover problems people may be willing to pay to solveA simple action step to start testing your business idea without quitting your jobDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Learn before you leap, and let's make these next 90 days count! Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast. Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  6. Oct 13

    What Business Should I Start? Find Your Best Business Idea (90-Day Business Sprint Day 2) | #274

    Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Welcome to Day 2 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell. Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move. In this second episode, we're answering one of the biggest questions aspiring entrepreneurs ask: What business should I start? Shannon explains why your best business idea doesn't need to be completely original or based on a lifelong passion. Instead, it may come from the skills, experience, and knowledge you've already gained throughout your career and life. You'll learn how to identify business ideas by looking at what you're good at, what you enjoy doing, and what problems you can solve for others. Shannon also shares why you don't need to commit to a business idea forever. You simply need to find one that's worth exploring. In this episode, you'll learn: How to find business ideas using your existing skills and experienceWhy you don't need a completely original idea to start a successful businessThe three questions that can help you choose the right business to startHow to stop overthinking and move forward without waiting for the perfect ideaA simple exercise to identify three potential business ideas and decide which one to exploreDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Your next business idea might be closer than you think. You don't have to start from scratch. You can build on everything you've already learned. Let's make these next 90 days count! Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast. Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  7. Oct 12

    How to Create a Business Plan & Set Goals (90-Day Business Sprint Day 1) | #273

    Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days Welcome to Day 1 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell. Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move. In this first episode, we're starting with one important question: Where do you want to be 90 days from now? Shannon explains why choosing ONE meaningful goal is more effective than trying to accomplish everything at once. Whether you want to validate a business idea, find your first paying clients, grow an existing business, or simply gain clarity about your next chapter, this episode will help you identify your destination and understand why it matters. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a 90-day business plan can help you make progress without becoming overwhelmedHow to choose one realistic goal for your business or careerWhy you don't need to wait until January to start something newHow to identify your personal "why" and use it to stay motivatedHow to begin using the free 90-Day Sprint PlannerDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90days You don't have to figure out your entire second act today. You just have to choose where you want to go next. Let's make these next 90 days count! Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast.  Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

  8. Oct 5

    How to Get Clients for Your Business: 4 Ways I Find Clients Without Being Salesy | #272

    🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode → https://secondactsuccess.co/272 Wondering how to get clients for your business without constantly selling, posting on social media every day, or pretending you have everything figured out? In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell is answering one of the biggest questions new entrepreneurs ask: How do you actually find clients and customers when you're starting a business? Shannon shares the four biggest ways she gets clients in her own businesses: speaking at events, podcasting, her book, and referrals. She explains why each strategy works and what they all have in common: they allow potential clients to get to know her and build trust before they ever inquire about working together.   You'll also learn why referrals and warm leads can be so valuable for a service-based business, how consistently sharing your expertise keeps you top of mind, and why your personal brand doesn't need to look perfectly polished to attract paying clients. In fact, Shannon argues that trying to look perfect can make it harder for potential clients to connect with you. Instead, sharing your real experiences, your story, why you started your business, and what you're learning along the way can help you build a brand people actually trust.   Whether you're trying to land your first client, grow a coaching or consulting business, attract customers to a new small business, or simply figure out how to market yourself without feeling salesy, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using now. Because people aren't looking for perfect. They're looking for someone they can trust. 🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode → https://secondactsuccess.co/272 Ready to Start Your Second Act? Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps. → Book Your Free Second Act Strategy Call More From Shannon: 📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act 🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk 📥 Download Free Resources ➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn

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Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked podcast for women ready to make a career change, quit their job, start a business, and become their own boss. Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach for women, author, and entrepreneur, Second Act Success helps women transition from employee to entrepreneur and build a business using the skills, experience, and ideas they already have. If you're wondering how to start a business, considering a career change after 40, growing a side hustle, or planning your exit from corporate, you'll find practical business advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help you build your next chapter. Listen and learn how to: • Quit your job and start a business• Navigate a career change or midlife career transition• Find and validate the right business idea• Turn your skills and experience into a profitable business• Create a business plan and find your ideal clients• Build your personal brand and market your business• Turn a side hustle into a full-time business• Transition from employee to entrepreneur• Become your own boss without starting over from scratch You'll also hear real-life success stories from female entrepreneurs and women who have changed careers, left corporate jobs, started businesses, and created more flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives. Is this podcast for you? Are you dreaming about quitting your job to start your own business? Do you have a business idea but aren't sure where to begin? Are you wondering how to use your corporate experience to become an entrepreneur? Do you want more flexibility for your family and the things that matter most to you? Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a business or finally become your own boss? If you're ready to stop wondering "what if?" and start building your second act, you're in the right place. 🎧 Listen to new episodes every week for career change strategies, entrepreneurship advice, business tips for women, and inspiration to help you build your second act. 🔗 Book a free Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon Russell and find free resources at secondactsuccess.co. Subscribe to Second Act Success and start building the career, business, and life you want next.

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