Second Act Success: Business Tips & Career Change Advice for Women

Shannon Russell | Business Coach for Women, Consultant, and Author of Start Your Second Act
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Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked show designed for ambitious women ready to change careers, start a business, and create a life they love.  Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach, author, and entrepreneur, this podcast helps you transition from employee to entrepreneur with clarity and confidence. Listen and Learn: - How to quit your job and start a business that lights you up - Strategies for career change after 40 and designing your second act - Business planning, marketing, and personal branding tips for women - How to validate your business idea and find your ideal clients - How to use your career experience in your role as a female entrepreneur - Success stories from women who’ve turned their side hustles into thriving businesses Whether you’re planning an exit strategy, exploring midlife career pivots, or ready to become your own boss, you’ll find actionable steps, real-life inspiration, and expert guidance here. Is this podcast for you? - Are you dreaming of quitting your corporate job to start your own business? - Do you want advice on marketing a business, designing your personal brand, and build entrepreneurial strategies? - Are you ready to overcome fear and turn your skills and experience from the corporate world into your second act business? - Do you crave a flexible lifestyle that allows you to focus on your passions and your family? - Ready to become your own boss and build a business you love? - Is it time to turn your side hustle into a full-time business? If so, you’re in the right place! 🎧 New episodes every week to help you start building your second act business and designing a life you love! 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co. Subscribe now and embark on a transformative journey towards your second act!

  1. 8H AGO

    Why Your “Side Gig” Is Legit. How a Side Business Can Lead to Your Second Act Career | #239

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. Don’t let anyone tell you that your side gig isn’t legitimate. In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, career transition coach and business coach for women Shannon Russell sits down with Cheryl Fischer, a former corporate professional turned math and economics teacher who reinvented herself again as a mindset coach and podcast host. Cheryl shares her powerful second act career story. From working in corporate consulting and airline pricing to teaching high school for over a decade, she opens up about burnout, empathy overload, and the moment she realized she didn’t want to spend the rest of her career exhausted and resentful. What started as a “small” direct sales business on the side became the confidence bridge she needed to explore entrepreneurship, mindset work, and ultimately create a business that fits her life. Today, Cheryl is a mindset coach and the host of the Mind Your Midlife podcast, helping women navigate midlife transitions with clarity and confidence. In this episode, we talk about: Why side gigs are powerful tools during a career transitionHow starting a business on the side can prevent burnout and financial panicThe mindset shifts that make second act careers possibleHow confidence is built before you ever quit your jobWhy you don’t have to leap before you’re readyIf you’re navigating a midlife or mid-career transition, questioning whether your side business is “real,” or exploring second act career ideas, this episode will remind you that small steps can lead to life-changing transformations. Your side gig isn’t silly. It might just be the beginning of your next chapter. *Get the full show notes here! Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business. 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.  -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    32 min

  2. 3D AGO

    3 Simple Ways to Create Movement in Your Business to Get Clients & Cash Flow Moving | #238

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. If your business feels quiet, slow, or stuck right now, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach for women Shannon Russell shares 3 simple, practical ways to create momentum in your business. Especially during seasons when motivation is low, sales feel inconsistent, or you’re craving proof that what you’re building is working. Whether you’re starting a business, growing a second act career, or navigating a career transition into entrepreneurship, momentum matters. It fuels confidence, income, and the belief that you’re on the right path. In this episode, you’ll learn: What to offer right now to create quick momentum and incomeWhy visibility and relationships matter more than algorithmsHow batching your work helps you stay consistent and avoid burnoutWhy small, intentional actions compound into real business growthThis episode is especially helpful if you’re a woman entrepreneur, building a business alongside a job, or feeling discouraged by slow seasons. Momentum isn’t created by big launches or perfection. It’s built through steady action, connection, and follow-through. If you’ve been thinking, I just need one thing to start working, press play. This episode will help you get unstuck and moving again. *Get the full show notes here! Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business. 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co. -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    11 min

  3. FEB 5

    A Job Offer After You Quit? How to Navigate Career Transition Without Losing Momentum | #237

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. What do you do when you’re ready to launch your business and suddenly a job offer lands in your lap? You’ve done the work. You’ve given notice. You’re building a business. And then… an opportunity shows up that makes you question everything. In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, career transition coach and business coach for women Shannon Russell breaks down a situation many women face during a career transition, but rarely talk about.  What happens when a full-time job, contract role, or request to stay longer at your current job appears just as you’re stepping into entrepreneurship? Drawing from real conversations with her business coaching clients navigating mid-career and midlife career transitions, Shannon walks you through how to think strategically instead of emotionally when these opportunities arise. You’ll learn: Why job offers often appear right before a big second act career shiftWhen accepting a job can actually support your new businessHow to decide if you can realistically do both without losing momentumThe difference between strategy and fear when saying yesHow steady income can help you build a business with confidenceWhy patience is not the same as quitting on your dreamIf you’re navigating a career transition, starting a business, or questioning your next move, this episode will help you pause, evaluate, and choose intentionally. Your second act doesn’t have to follow anyone else’s timeline. It just needs forward momentum. This episode is for women exploring second act career ideas, building a business during a career change, and learning how to balance stability with growth. *Get the full show notes here! Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business. 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co. -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    15 min

  4. FEB 2

    Stop Feeling Guilty About Pivoting. How to Close a Business and Start Your Second Act with Sharon Calle | #236

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. What happens when you build a successful business, then realize it’s time to close that chapter? In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Sharon Calle, founder of Luminosa Creative, to talk about the emotional side of business pivots, career change, and giving yourself permission to move on without guilt. Sharon shares her “squiggly” creative journey. From studying illustration and graphic design, to becoming an art teacher, to launching a thriving art studio and brick-and-mortar space, to pivoting during the pandemic, and finally stepping into her next chapter as a website designer and SEO strategist for women business owners. She also opens up about burnout, sustainability, and why closing a profitable business can be an act of self trust, not failure. If you’re navigating a career transition, considering entrepreneurship, or you’ve outgrown a business that no longer fits your life, this conversation will help you stop grieving the ending and start celebrating what you built. What you'll learn: How to know when it's time to leave a job and build a businessThe real truth about brick-and-mortar overhead, burnout, and sustainabilityWhy closing a successful business can be the healthiest decisionHow to pivot into a new offer using your transferable skills and experienceWhat SEO (search engine optimization) is and why it matters for small business growthHow to design a business that supports your lifestyle, energy, and mental health*Get the full show notes here! Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here. -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    38 min

  5. JAN 26

    How to Leave a 9–5 and Follow Your Passion: Insurance to Actress to Business Owner | #235

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. What happens when you’re sitting at a “safe” job with benefits, but your soul is screaming, this isn’t it? In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with Sabine Kvenberg, who went from working in the insurance industry in Germany to becoming a professional actress, and then making a bold move to the United States to co-found a performing arts school with her husband. Sabine’s story is a powerful reminder that starting over, making a career change, and building a second act often comes with resistance from people who want to “protect” you. But as Sabine says, she didn’t want to look back 40 years later and wonder, why didn’t you at least try? You’ll hear how she balanced her 9–5 while training for acting, how her career pivot led to bigger opportunities (and bigger income), and how she later reinvented again through business ownership, podcasting, writing books, and becoming a keynote speaker teaching others how to own their voice on any stage. If you’re thinking about leaving your corporate job, reinventing yourself in midlife, starting a business, or building a life that feels aligned, this episode will light you up. Listen now for a second act success story that proves it’s never too late to pivot. Inside the episode: Why people resist your career change, even when they love youHow to follow your passion without making reckless decisionsThe “try it now so you don’t regret it later” mindset shiftHow Sabine went from corporate stability to creative career freedomWhy intuition matters when making a big life changeHow to build confidence, communication skills, and “own your stage” in business*Get the full show notes here! Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here. -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    36 min

  6. JAN 22

    Design a Business That Fits Your Life. (Not the Other Way Around) | #234

    Too many women leave corporate jobs or start businesses for freedom, only to recreate the same burnout in a different form. In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach and former TV producer Shannon Russell shares how to design a business that truly fits your life. Not one you have to squeeze your life into. If you’re starting a business, scaling an existing one, or feeling overwhelmed by hustle culture, this episode will help you flip the script and build a life-first business that supports your priorities, energy, and values. You’ll learn how to stop building a business based on what should work and instead create a business model aligned with your schedule, family life, and long-term goals. From choosing the right business model to setting boundaries, systems, and workflows, this episode walks you through how to create freedom without burnout. This episode is especially helpful for women in midlife who are: Leaving a 9–5 jobStarting a second act careerLaunching or scaling a businessSeeking flexibility, freedom, and fulfillmentYour business should support your life. Not consume it. *Get the full show notes here! Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here. Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business. Read the Second Act Blog for more advice and inspiration on creating your business.  -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    24 min

  7. JAN 19

    Feeling Lost in Midlife? How to Find Happiness Before Your Next Step (Encore) | #233

    What if the reason you feel unfulfilled isn’t your job, your relationship, or your circumstances? In this powerful re-released episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with happiness mentor Karyn Seitz, founder of the Happy Wife School, for a deep conversation about why so many women feel empty and dissatisfied even after “doing everything right.” Karyn works with women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s who have successful lives on paper but still feel like something is missing. In this episode, she breaks down the truth about the pursuit of happiness, why external success never lasts, and how true fulfillment comes from within. If you’re considering a second act, a career change, or questioning what’s next in midlife, this episode will help you slow down, look inward, and make decisions from clarity rather than desperation. This is a must-listen conversation about self-worth, happiness, identity, and creating a life that actually feels good to live. Key Takeaways: Why checking all the boxes still leaves so many women feeling unfulfilledThe difference between pursuing happiness and actually being happyWhy careers, relationships, money, and achievements can’t create lasting fulfillmentHow happiness comes from who you are, not what you do or haveWhy slowing down before a career or life change leads to better decisionsHow to navigate toxic work environments without giving your power awayA new way to define work as a place for growth and self-actualization*Get the full show notes here! Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here. -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    26 min

  8. JAN 15

    Whose Advice Are You Listening To? Protect Your Second Act Business Dream | #232

    *Book a free strategy call to discuss your business or second act idea with Shannon here. Whose advice have you been listening to lately? If you’re planning a career change, starting a second act, or trying to quit your 9 to 5 to start a business, the wrong advice can quietly derail you before you even get momentum. In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach and bestselling author Shannon Russell shares a simple rule to help you filter advice with confidence: only take advice from people who have your goals, or who have already done what you’re trying to do. Because when you ask people who haven’t made bold moves, their guidance often comes from fear, not experience. You’ll learn how to spot fear-based advice, protect your dream in the early stages, and find the right support through mentors, coaches, communities, and other women who have truly reinvented themselves. *Get the full show notes here! Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here. __________________________ -------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

    16 min
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About

Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked show designed for ambitious women ready to change careers, start a business, and create a life they love.  Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach, author, and entrepreneur, this podcast helps you transition from employee to entrepreneur with clarity and confidence. Listen and Learn: - How to quit your job and start a business that lights you up - Strategies for career change after 40 and designing your second act - Business planning, marketing, and personal branding tips for women - How to validate your business idea and find your ideal clients - How to use your career experience in your role as a female entrepreneur - Success stories from women who’ve turned their side hustles into thriving businesses Whether you’re planning an exit strategy, exploring midlife career pivots, or ready to become your own boss, you’ll find actionable steps, real-life inspiration, and expert guidance here. Is this podcast for you? - Are you dreaming of quitting your corporate job to start your own business? - Do you want advice on marketing a business, designing your personal brand, and build entrepreneurial strategies? - Are you ready to overcome fear and turn your skills and experience from the corporate world into your second act business? - Do you crave a flexible lifestyle that allows you to focus on your passions and your family? - Ready to become your own boss and build a business you love? - Is it time to turn your side hustle into a full-time business? If so, you’re in the right place! 🎧 New episodes every week to help you start building your second act business and designing a life you love! 🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co. Subscribe now and embark on a transformative journey towards your second act!

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