Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1155: Should EVERY employee have a side hustle + a freelance business? Here's the EXACT roadmap from 9 to 5 (or laid off) to full-time success w/ Cara Gibson-Gallop
What if getting laid off was actually the best thing that ever happened to your career? That’s exactly the mindset shift that drove today’s guest, Cara Gibson-Gallop, from being a laid-off corporate marketer to a thriving entrepreneur—and now the founder of Autonomy, a company that helps others do the same. In this episode, Cara shares how she turned a vulnerable career moment into a purpose-driven business, how she empowers laid-off professionals and recent grads to build freelance businesses, and why every 9-to-5er should have a side hustle.
Cara’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and creating systems that scale. Whether you're still in a job or running a business, this episode will change how you think about income, opportunity, and your ability to take control.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
- 🚀 Why your side hustle is more than just extra income—it’s your freedom plan
- 🔁 How to transform career setbacks (like layoffs) into business springboards
- 💡 The exact framework Cara uses to help people build consulting/freelance offers
- 🛠️ Why your business should start with a strong offer—not a logo or website
- 🧠 The mindset shift that separates wantrepreneurs from entrepreneurs
- 📣 How to confidently "sell" your skills—even if you're new to business
- 🏗️ Why companies are paying her to help their former employees become entrepreneurs
📝 About the Guest
Cara Gibson Gallop is a former New York ad agency exec turned startup founder. After being laid off multiple times early in her career, she decided to never rely on a single income stream again. Her side hustle soon eclipsed her corporate salary, and she took the leap to become a full-time entrepreneur. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Autonomi.Systems, a platform that helps laid-off professionals and recent graduates turn their skills into consulting or freelance businesses. Cara's mission is to revolutionize how we experience layoffs by turning them into launchpads.
🎯 Cara’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Keep coming back to your why. That’s your fuel. Revisit it quarterly or even more often—it keeps you aligned, energized, and unstoppable.”
3 Takeaways from Cara's Advice:
✔ Revisit your goals and motivations often—they evolve as you grow
✔ Your why is your greatest defense against burnout
✔ A strong personal reason gives your business purpose and power
📢 Memorable Quotes
“Every time you're afraid to tell someone about your business, it's selfish. There’s someone out there who needs what you have.” – Cara Gibson-Gallop
“If your offer aligns with your why, nothing can knock you down.” – Cara Gibson-Gallop
“Build your business around your life, not the other way around.” – Cara Gibson -allop
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Audit your LinkedIn—start nurturing your network now before you need it
✅ Don’t wait until your side hustle replaces your salary—jump sooner
✅ Build your offer before worrying about a website or branding
✅ Reframe layoffs as opportunities to build something better
✅ Write out your why and revisit it quarterly—it’ll steer your direction
🔗 Links & Resources