Eat Blog Talk 780: "I Decided I Was Going to Be the Driver" - Leaving a 9-to-5 for Full-Time Blogging with Cheryl Norris
Megan chats with Cheryl Norris about what the transition from corporate employee to full time blogger really looks like and how to navigate it with purpose.
Cheryl Norris is the founder of the Bakes by Brown Sugar baking blog, where she specializes in baked goods for the homebaker. She combines her technical background as a mechanical engineer and self-taught baker to write detailed recipes and explain the baking science behind her recipes. She lives in Porltand, OR with her husband. She recently left her full time job and now operates her food blog full time. In addition to her business, Cheryl loves to travel. Her favorite city is Paris, but her favorite food country is Japan. She also loves to read and is always up to learning something new.
Cheryl's story is raw, honest, and deeply helpful for anyone dreaming of going full time. She walks through the emotional and logistical challenges of leaving a 37 year career, the mindset shift that changed everything, and the systems that helped her step into entrepreneurship with clarity instead of chaos. This conversation is a roadmap for anyone craving freedom but unsure how to get there.
Key points discussed include:
Be the driver in your own transition: Learn how Cheryl reclaimed control during layoffs and turned fear into clarity.
Know your numbers before you leap: She breaks down the financial reality that helped her make a confident decision.
Plan your first 90 days intentionally: Hear how a transition roadmap reduces stress and brings direction.
Write your own job description: Understand your role, hours, and expectations the same way you would in any company.
Create an ideal week you can stick to: Build structure so your time expands your work rather than swallows it.
Expect the emotional dip: Cheryl names the "pit of incompetence" and why it is a normal part of leveling up.
Use systems that support your brain: Learn why tools like ClickUp or a simple planner can be the difference between drifting and momentum.
Remember why you started: Returning to the love of baking helped Cheryl find joy and energy again.
Connect with Cheryl Norris