The Corporate Escapee: On a Mission to Help 10,000 GenXers Escape the 9-5 Grind‪!‬ Brett Trainor

SummaryJake Stahl is a fractional CLO and a corporate escapee who helps companies onboard and train their salespeople. He also provides coaching on neurolinguistic programming to help salespeople and executives overcome mental blocks. He shares his journey of leaving the corporate world and transitioning into consulting and fractional work. Jake emphasizes the need to reframe the concept of fractional roles and highlights the importance of networking and building relationships for finding clients. The importance of referrals and targeted outreach in building relationships and generating business. The power of asking questions and showing genuine interest in others. The value of serving and adding value before selling. The benefits of referring clients to others when it's not in your lane. The approach to pricing as a fractional professional. An overview of Frac 2024, a conference dedicated to fractionals.
Links:Jake Stahl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakestahl/  Jake's Website: https://jakestahlconsulting.com/FRAK 2024: https://fractionalconference.com/
Takeaways
Fractional roles are valuable in helping companies onboard and train their salespeople.Coaching on neurolinguistic programming can help salespeople and executives overcome mental blocks.Networking and building relationships are crucial for finding clients in the fractional space.Reframing the concept of fractional roles can help organizations understand the value they provide. Referrals and targeted outreach are crucial in building relationships and generating business.Asking questions and showing genuine interest in others can lead to stronger connections and opportunities.Serving and adding value before selling can build trust and loyalty with potential clients.Referring clients to others when it's not in your lane can create value and strengthen relationships.Pricing as a fractional professional should be based on the value you provide and should not be discounted.Frac 2024 is a conference dedicated to fractionals, providing networking and learning opportunities for professionals in the industry.
Sound Bites
"I help salespeople and executives get past those mental blocks.""Frac Conference is one of the only conferences dedicated strictly to the Fractional Executive.""The referral is so important and maybe some super targeted outreach.""The secret weapon is really just getting them to ask you.""Don't tell them what you do. Because eventually if you serve them enough and you ask them enough questions and show interest, they're going to come back to you."

SummaryIn this episode of The Corporate Escapee I was a guest on the Lee Ann Pepper's Class Reunion Podcast recently and she was kind enough to allow me to share the discussion with my audience. I shared my journey from corporate America to becoming a corporate escapee. We discuss the challenges faced by GenXers in the corporate world, the rise of ageism, and the need for alternative career paths. I share my insights on fractional jobs and how they offer flexibility and freedom outside of the traditional corporate structure. I also talk about the importance of finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health. The conversation highlights the need for GenXers to explore new possibilities and embrace a different approach to work.
Key Links:Class Reunion YouTube Channel:Class Reunion Podcast: 
Takeaways
GenXers in corporate America are facing challenges such as ageism and limited career advancement opportunities.Fractional jobs offer a flexible alternative to traditional full-time corporate positions.Finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health are important considerations when exploring new career paths.There are opportunities to monetize corporate experience and find fulfillment outside of the corporate structure.Exploring new possibilities and being open to change can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable career.Titles
Embracing Flexibility and Freedom with Fractional JobsNavigating the Challenges of Corporate America as a GenXerSound Bites
"There are opportunities to monetize corporate experience and find fulfillment outside of the corporate structure.""Finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health are important considerations when exploring new career paths.""Fractional jobs offer a flexible alternative to traditional full-time corporate positions."

Today, we have a very unique guest, Jesse Cole is the owner of the baseball team, Savannah Bananas. And I believe he has the blueprint for Escapees (& businesses) to stand out and separate themselves from the crowd.

When different is better than better, you want to make sure you are highlighting what makes you YOU. 

Get to know this passionate entrepreneur and learn what it takes for your startup to stand out.

We’ll talk about:
How Jesse is changing baseball through differentiation [01:12]Constraints force creativity, but you learn by doing [05:19]The blueprint for becoming the ONLY [08:10]Own the problems [08:37]Create Noise [09:26]The 3 Loves [09:55]Why do you do what you do [10:53]Different is better than better [14:01]Make sure you develop raving fans [17:01]Why you should create the ‘Wow’ factor [19:41]Focus on what you can control [24:43]What else Jesse is thinking about next [26:58]You have to keep pushing forward & do new things [29:40]Set aside time to think about the future [30:45]The one thing Jesse recommends [33:24]Resource Links:The Savannah Bananas Website (https://thesavannahbananas.com/)
About Our Guest:
Jesse Cole owns the baseball team, Savannah Bananas, which has currently sold out 32 straight games and has a waitlist in the thousands for tickets.

Jesse is also the author of "Find Your Yellow Tux - How to Be Successful by Standing Out,” and the host of the Business Done Differently Podcast.

Jesse believes to be successful you need to Stand Out and Be Different. He is passionate about creating attention, loving your customers more than your product, and loving your employees more than your customers.

Get in touch with Jesse through his LinkedIn.

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast. 

In this conversation, Ethan Bull shares his journey of building Pro Assisting, a fractional executive assistant service agency, with his wife. They started the business in 2018 after leaving their corporate jobs. Ethan discusses the challenges they faced in finding their first clients and the importance of having a financial plan and resources before starting a business. He also highlights the benefits of fractional support and services for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Ethan talks about the healthcare considerations and options for entrepreneurs, particularly in New York State. In this conversation, Ethan Bull discusses the role of executive assistants in the fractional space and the benefits of building a network of fractional C-suite executives. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent flow of new prospects while also building long-term relationships with clients. Bull also highlights the value of being a two-sided marketplace and the benefits of working with independent contractors. He shares insights on the chief of staff role and the unique support that executive assistants can provide to both billionaires and solopreneurs. Bull concludes by offering advice on networking, taking risks, and the compounding nature of small tasks in business.
Ethan's Website: https://www.proassisting.com/
Takeaways
Ethan Bull and his wife run Pro Assisting, a fractional executive assistant service agency with 30 assistants and 60 clients across the country.They started the business in 2018 after leaving their corporate jobs and used various tactics to find their first clients, including leveraging their network and using LinkedIn.Having a financial plan and resources, such as a six to nine-month runway, is crucial before starting a business.Fractional support and services provide flexibility and cost savings for small and medium-sized businesses.Healthcare considerations for entrepreneurs vary by state, and it's important to research and understand the options available.Ethan and his wife started the Pro Assisting Academy in 2023 to help career-minded executive assistants future-proof their careers. The term 'executive assistant' in the fractional space can encompass various roles, including business partner, chief of staff, project manager, assistant/scheduler, and personal assistant.Building a network of fractional C-suite executives can be beneficial for sharing prospects and maintaining a consistent flow of new leads.Working as a two-sided marketplace, where assistants are compensated appropriately and have the opportunity to start their own businesses, can provide security and balance.Executive assistants can provide valuable support to both billionaires and solopreneurs, offering a range of services tailored to their specific needs.Networking, taking risks, and consistently performing small tasks can contribute to the success of a solopreneur or business owner in the fractional space.

In this episode, Brett Traynor shares a five-step plan to help listeners find their first customer while still working in a corporate job. He emphasizes the importance of having a second income stream and diversifying risk. The steps include checking your employment agreement, identifying the problem you will be solving, identifying your initial target market, reviewing and prioritizing your network, and developing your messaging, positioning, and initial offer. Brett also highlights the value of asking for advice and using the 20-10 strategy to engage potential customers. He encourages listeners to take action and learn from their mistakes.
Takeaways
Finding your first customer while still in a corporate job can provide a second income stream and help diversify risk.Check your employment agreement to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.Identify the problem you will be solving and focus on a specific target market.Review and prioritize your network to find potential customers or connections.Develop your messaging, positioning, and initial offer to engage potential customers.Ask for advice and use the 20-10 strategy to have valuable conversations with your network.Take action and learn from your mistakes to gain confidence and understanding in your offering. 

This episode outlines the six stages of the escapee journey for GenXers stuck in corporate and provides guidance on how to get unstuck at each stage. The stages are: awareness, pre-escape (curious, interested, fearful), taking action, learn and earn, grow, control and freedom. The ultimate goal is to reach stage six, where one has the confidence and freedom to pursue their own path. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking action, testing, and learning, as well as seeking support from communities of like-minded individuals.
TakeawaysThere are many GenXers stuck in corporate who are unaware of their options or unsure of how to get started on a new path.
The six stages of the escapee journey are: awareness, pre-escape (curious, interested, fearful), taking action, learn and earn, grow, and control and freedom.Taking action is crucial for progress and success. It separates those who stay in corporate from those who pursue their own path.Joining a community of like-minded individuals can provide support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.