Career Change & Business Advice for Women | Second Act Success Podcast
Shannon Russell | Career Change & Business Coach for Women
Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked podcast for women ready to make a career change, quit their job, start a business, and become their own boss.Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach for women, author, and entrepreneur, Second Act Success helps women transition from employee to entrepreneur and build a business using the skills, experience, and ideas they already have.If you're wondering how to start a business, considering a career change after 40, growing a side hustle, or planning your exit from corporate, you'll find practical business advice, inspiring stories, and actionable strategies to help you build your next chapter.Listen and learn how to:• Quit your job and start a business• Navigate a career change or midlife career transition• Find and validate the right business idea• Turn your skills and experience into a profitable business• Create a business plan and find your ideal clients• Build your personal brand and market your business• Turn a side hustle into a full-time business• Transition from employee to entrepreneur• Become your own boss without starting over from scratchYou'll also hear real-life success stories from female entrepreneurs and women who have changed careers, left corporate jobs, started businesses, and created more flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment in their lives.Is this podcast for you?Are you dreaming about quitting your job to start your own business?Do you have a business idea but aren't sure where to begin?Are you wondering how to use your corporate experience to become an entrepreneur?Do you want more flexibility for your family and the things that matter most to you?Are you ready to turn your side hustle into a business or finally become your own boss?If you're ready to stop wondering "what if?" and start building your second act, you're in the right place.🎧 Listen to new episodes every week for career change strategies, entrepreneurship advice, business tips for women, and inspiration to help you build your second act.🔗 Book a free Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon Russell and find free resources at secondactsuccess.co.Subscribe to Second Act Success and start building the career, business, and life you want next.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 2, 2026 • 17min
Leaving Your Career to Start a Business? Why You Should Keep the Door Open | #279
When you leave your corporate career to start a business, does that mean you have to leave your old professional life behind forever? Absolutely not!In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach, author, and former television producer Shannon Russell shares a personal story about returning to a television production set in New York City after years of entrepreneurship.When an old colleague invited Shannon to work on a production alongside friends she hadn't worked with in more than 20 years, she said yes! What followed was an incredible day of reconnecting with her first career and remembering that the skills, relationships, and experiences we gain never disappear just because we change careers.If you're thinking about quitting your job to start a business, making a midlife career change, or already navigating entrepreneurship, this episode is a reminder that your first career can continue to create opportunities for your second act.In this episode, you'll learn:Why leaving your job doesn't mean leaving your professional identity behindHow transferable skills from your corporate career can help you succeed in entrepreneurshipWhy maintaining professional relationships is important when starting a businessHow consulting, freelancing, and former industry connections can create additional opportunitiesWhy you don't have to choose just one professional identityHow to build a new career without burning bridges from your pastYour first act is always part of your story. You don't have to close one door to open another.🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode Ready to Start Your Second Act?Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy CallMore From Shannon:📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk📥 Download Free Resources➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oct 19, 2026 • 25min
Start a Consulting Business and Build a Career You Love | #278
Risa Seelenfreund, leadership coach and founder of LightSpark Leadership, shares her journey from corporate marketing to learning development and consulting. She explores transferable skills, discovering more fulfilling work, building credibility through continuous learning, and turning resilience into a coaching tool. Risa also discusses relationship-based marketing, referrals, networking, and preparing for entrepreneurship’s inevitable highs and lows.
Oct 16, 2026 • 12min
Stop Overthinking and Start Your Business (90-Day Business Sprint Day 5) | #277
Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysWelcome to Day 5 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell.Over five episodes, Shannon has helped you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, explore business ideas, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move.In this final episode, we're tackling one of the biggest obstacles aspiring entrepreneurs face: How do you stop waiting until you feel ready and finally start taking action?Shannon explains why confidence doesn't come before action. It develops as you take small steps, learn from your experiences, and build momentum toward your goals.Whether you're afraid of failure, questioning your qualifications, or struggling to find time to work on your business, this episode will help you move past overthinking and take that important first step.In this episode, you'll learn:Why waiting until you feel completely ready can keep you from starting a businessHow taking small actions helps you build confidence and overcome self-doubtWhy you don't need to quit your job or make a dramatic change to begin your second actHow to find small pockets of time to work toward your business goalsHow to choose one meaningful action you can complete in the next 24 hoursDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysYou don't need a perfect plan, perfect timing, or complete confidence to begin. You just need to take the next step.Your second act can start today. Let's make these next 90 days count!Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast.Ready to Start Your Second Act?Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy CallMore From Shannon:📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk📥 Download Free Resources➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oct 15, 2026 • 7min
How to Break Down Your Business Goals Into Action Steps (90-Day Business Sprint Day 4) | #276
Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysWelcome to Day 4 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell.Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move.In this fourth episode, we're focusing on an important step in turning your business idea into reality: How do you create a 90-day business plan that actually fits your life?Whether you're starting a business while working full-time, growing a side hustle, or balancing family responsibilities, you'll learn how to create a realistic plan that works with your schedule instead of adding more overwhelm.In this episode, you'll learn:How to break one big business goal into three monthly milestonesWhy scheduling your goals around your real-life commitments is essentialHow to create weekly action steps that move your business forwardWhy consistency matters more than creating an unrealistic scheduleHow to make time for your business while balancing work, family, and other responsibilitiesDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysYou don't need 20 extra hours a week to make progress toward your business goals. You need a realistic plan and a commitment to keep moving forward.Build your business around your life, not the other way around.Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast.Ready to Start Your Second Act?Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy CallMore From Shannon:📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk📥 Download Free Resources➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oct 14, 2026 • 9min
Will Your Business Idea Make Money? How to Test It (90-Day Business Sprint Day 3) | #275
Download your free 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysWelcome to Day 3 of the 90-Day Business Sprint, a special five-part audio series on the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach and author Shannon Russell.Over five episodes, Shannon will help you create a focused 90-day business plan, set realistic goals, and take meaningful steps toward starting a business, growing your side hustle, or making progress on your next career move.In this third episode, we're focusing on an essential step before launching a business: How do you validate your business idea before investing your time and money?Shannon shares her Learn Before You Leap approach to entrepreneurship and explains why you don't need to quit your job, build a website, or spend money on branding before you know whether people actually want what you're planning to offer.Whether you're considering a consulting business, coaching services, or selling a physical product, you'll learn how to research your market, talk to potential customers, and gather feedback that can help you make smarter business decisions.In this episode, you'll learn:What it means to validate a business idea and why it matters before launchingHow to research your market and identify whether customers have a real needWhy talking to potential customers is more valuable than perfecting your logo or websiteHow to ask questions that uncover problems people may be willing to pay to solveA simple action step to start testing your business idea without quitting your jobDownload your FREE 90-Day Sprint Planner: https://secondactsuccess.co/90daysLearn before you leap, and let's make these next 90 days count!Listen to the Second Act Success Podcast at https://secondactsuccess.co/podcast.Ready to Start Your Second Act?Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy CallMore From Shannon:📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk📥 Download Free Resources➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
Oct 13, 2026 • 8min
What Business Should I Start? Find Your Best Business Idea (90-Day Business Sprint Day 2) | #274
Wondering what business to start? Explore how your existing skills, career experience, and everyday problem-solving can become a promising business idea. Learn a simple way to connect your strengths, interests, and customer needs, compare three potential ventures, and move forward without waiting for perfect clarity. The next step may be closer than you think.
Oct 12, 2026 • 10min
How to Create a Business Plan & Set Goals (90-Day Business Sprint Day 1) | #273
Kick off a focused 90-day business sprint by choosing one meaningful goal for your next career or business move. Explore how to make time for a second act, build momentum before January, connect your goal to your personal why, and use a simple planner to turn ambition into action.
Oct 5, 2026 • 16min
How to Get Clients for Your Business: 4 Ways I Find Clients Without Being Salesy | #272
🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode → https://secondactsuccess.co/272Wondering how to get clients for your business without constantly selling, posting on social media every day, or pretending you have everything figured out?In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell is answering one of the biggest questions new entrepreneurs ask: How do you actually find clients and customers when you're starting a business?Shannon shares the four biggest ways she gets clients in her own businesses: speaking at events, podcasting, her book, and referrals. She explains why each strategy works and what they all have in common: they allow potential clients to get to know her and build trust before they ever inquire about working together. You'll also learn why referrals and warm leads can be so valuable for a service-based business, how consistently sharing your expertise keeps you top of mind, and why your personal brand doesn't need to look perfectly polished to attract paying clients.In fact, Shannon argues that trying to look perfect can make it harder for potential clients to connect with you. Instead, sharing your real experiences, your story, why you started your business, and what you're learning along the way can help you build a brand people actually trust. Whether you're trying to land your first client, grow a coaching or consulting business, attract customers to a new small business, or simply figure out how to market yourself without feeling salesy, this episode will give you practical ideas you can start using now.Because people aren't looking for perfect. They're looking for someone they can trust.🔗 Read the Full Show Notes & Resources for This Episode → https://secondactsuccess.co/272Ready to Start Your Second Act?Thinking about changing careers or starting a business? Let's map out your next steps.→ Book Your Free Second Act Strategy CallMore From Shannon:📖 Grab Shannon's Book, Start Your Second Act🎤 Watch Shannon's TEDx Talk📥 Download Free Resources➡️ Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn
Sep 29, 2026 • 34min
Career Burnout? How to Make a Midlife Career Change Without Starting Over | #271
Marianne DeMello-Smith, former financial services vice president and creator of Message in the Middle, discusses recognizing career burnout after 26 years, taking time to reset, and making a midlife career change without starting over. They explore transferable skills, workplace boundaries, networking, finding a better-fitting role, and launching a creative project before everything feels perfect.
Sep 21, 2026 • 36min
Leaving Corporate to Start a Business: How to Navigate a Messy Career Change | #270
Becca Eve Young, a former corporate strategist turned coach, fractional CMO, and memoirist, shares her unconventional reinvention story. She discusses repeated layoffs, grief, divorce, and leaving corporate life behind for Mexico, consulting, and entrepreneurship. The conversation explores building a slower life, finding meaningful work, writing a vulnerable memoir, and discovering possibility in life’s messiest chapters.
