Second Act Business Owner

Lee Gray

Your Second Act isn't just about starting over; it's about starting smarter. You’ve left the safety of a structured career to follow your passion, and while the opportunity is exciting, the uncertainty is real. You have the vision and the drive, but without a roadmap, that leap of faith can quickly feel like a freefall. Welcome to Second Act Business Owner, the podcast dedicated to ensuring your new venture lands on solid ground. Hosted by Lee Gray—an award-winning ActionCOACH, certified executive trainer, and serial entrepreneur—this show is for the courageous professionals who are trading corporate stability for entrepreneurial freedom. Lee understands that being an expert in your field doesn’t automatically make you an expert in running a business. Each week, we strip away the fluff to provide the real-world MBA training you need to turn chaos into clarity. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of ownership to mastering the mechanics of profit, Lee brings the structure and strategy required to build a legacy. Hit follow and let’s get to work.

Episodes

  1. FEB 5

    From Gratitude to Greatness | Changing the Way You Think

    Can you really rewire your brain for success just by changing how you think? The answer is yes, and it starts with two simple but powerful practices: gratitude and “I Am” statements. As second act business owners, we face unique challenges—fear, uncertainty, and the weight of starting over. But what if I told you that gratitude isn't just a feel-good practice, but a scientifically proven tool that can make you 25% happier, improve your sleep by 30%, and literally change the neural pathways in your brain? Today, I'm sharing practical strategies that have transformed my own coaching journey and the lives of my clients. From the five-things-at-bedtime practice to the gratitude jar exercise, and the surprisingly effective I Am statements that manifested every single goal I wrote down, you'll learn how to replace fear with gratitude and create the second act you've been dreaming of. HIGHLIGHTS • People who practice gratitude weekly are 25% happier and more optimistic • Gratitude improves sleep quality by 30% by creating a more restful state • You cannot be fearful and grateful at the same time—gratitude replaces fear • The simple power of saying "thank you" throughout your day raises your gratitude vibration • I Am statements work: every single goal written as an I Am statement has manifested • The gratitude jar exercise: 52 weeks of gratitudes you'll forget 75-85% of without recording them • Living in the United States already gives us countless things to be grateful for that we take for granted • Gratitude can change your story and how your second act unfolds CHAPTERS 00:00 - Welcome and Introduction 01:15 - The Power of Gratitude 03:45 - Personal Stories and Examples of Gratitude 06:30 - Daily Gratitude Practices 08:45 - The Impact of Gratitude on Your Second Act 10:30 - Gratitude Activities and Exercises 12:15 - Introduction to I Am Statements 14:00 - Combining Gratitude and I Am Statements 15:30 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Want to get more help from Lee with your business? Visit her website: https://leegray.actioncoach.com/ This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information, visit ictpod.net.

    13 min
  2. JAN 22

    Effective Time Management Techniques for Prioritizing Growth

    What if you could gain back an entire day every week just by changing how you manage your time? As second act business owners, we don't have the luxury of decades to figure things out—we need to make every moment count. Today I'm sharing the exact frameworks and tools I use with my coaching clients to help them reclaim 20% of their week and focus on what truly matters: revenue-generating activities. You'll learn how to identify where your time is actually going (spoiler: it's probably not where you think), create a default calendar that works with your life instead of against it, and master the art of deciding what deserves your attention and what doesn't. Time is the one resource you can never get more of, so let's make sure you're investing it wisely in building your second act business. HIGHLIGHTS • The Eisenhower Matrix breaks down tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important (do first), important but not urgent (schedule), urgent but not important (delegate), and neither urgent nor important (eliminate) • The Three Ds strategy—Do, Delegate, Dump—gives you a simple framework for handling everything that lands on your plate • A default calendar isn't about perfection; it's a flexible tool that helps you allocate time to key business categories like operations, sales, networking, and product development • Tracking your time in 15-minute increments for just one week can boost your productivity by 25% • Spending 30-40% of your time on revenue-generating activities is the key to building a business you can sell within 10 years • By eliminating quadrant three activities (urgent but not important), you can reclaim 20% of your week—that's 52 extra days per year CHAPTERS 0:00 - Importance of Time 1:24 - Identifying and Prioritizing Your Time 2:32 - Understanding the Eisenhower Matrix 6:48 - The Three Ds: Do, Delegate, Dump 7:38 - Creating a Default Calendar 14:42 - Maximizing Revenue Generating Activities RESOURCES MENTIONED • Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey • Default Calendar Template: https://goleegray.actioncoachlp.com/download-here Want to get more help from Lee with your business? Visit her website: https://leegray.actioncoach.com/ This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information, visit ictpod.net.

    16 min
  3. JAN 8

    Embrace Your Second Act with Coach Lee Gray

    Are you ready to become the star of your own second act? What if the experience you’ve gained so far is exactly what you need to launch a business you love—and get paid for it? Let’s explore how to turn your passion, skills, and life lessons into a thriving new chapter. Highlights Why your experience makes you uniquely qualified for your next ventureThe difference between a hobby and a business that excites you (and pays you)How to discover what you love, what you’re good at, and what the world needsThe power of your network and finding the right support for your journeyMy personal story: from corporate to multiple businesses to business coachingPractical steps to identify your “superpower” and visualize your future successTips for building momentum, overcoming imposter syndrome, and embracing the entrepreneurial bugChapters 00:00 – Welcome & Purpose of the Show 00:35 – Why the Second Act Business Owner Podcast Exists 01:37 – What to Expect: Money, Fun, and Your Second Act 01:56 – Today’s Agenda: Three Key Things & “Home Fun” Assignments 01:56 – Embracing Your Experience and Passion 02:40 – Doing What You Love (and Getting Paid) 04:46 – My Second Act Story: From Corporate to Entrepreneurship 07:12 – The Ikigai Framework: Love, Skill, Need, and Money 09:53 – Building Your Support Network & Community 11:52 – Finding Your Superpower & Visualization Exercise 14:10 – The Entrepreneurial Bug & Closing Thoughts 15:10 – What’s Next: Mindset, Strategy, and Systems Resources Mentioned BNI (Business Network International) – Networking group: https://www.bni.comWant to get more help from Lee with your business? Visit her website: https://leegray.actioncoach.com/ This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network. For more information, visit ictpod.net.

    17 min

About

Your Second Act isn't just about starting over; it's about starting smarter. You’ve left the safety of a structured career to follow your passion, and while the opportunity is exciting, the uncertainty is real. You have the vision and the drive, but without a roadmap, that leap of faith can quickly feel like a freefall. Welcome to Second Act Business Owner, the podcast dedicated to ensuring your new venture lands on solid ground. Hosted by Lee Gray—an award-winning ActionCOACH, certified executive trainer, and serial entrepreneur—this show is for the courageous professionals who are trading corporate stability for entrepreneurial freedom. Lee understands that being an expert in your field doesn’t automatically make you an expert in running a business. Each week, we strip away the fluff to provide the real-world MBA training you need to turn chaos into clarity. From navigating the emotional rollercoaster of ownership to mastering the mechanics of profit, Lee brings the structure and strategy required to build a legacy. Hit follow and let’s get to work.