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
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 • 35min
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.
Sep 14, 2026 • 22min
How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Go After Big Goals: 3 Lessons From My TEDx Talk | #269
After six months of preparation, stepping onto the TEDx stage became a lesson in more than public speaking. Explore the surprising universality of imposter syndrome, how action can build confidence before fear fades, and why big goals often begin with one small, brave step.
Sep 7, 2026 • 14min
How to Turn Your Skills and Strengths Into a Business You Love | #268
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Are you underestimating your skills, experience, and potential? You may be able to see the possibilities for everyone around you, but when it comes to your own career change or business idea, self-doubt can quickly take over.In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares how to recognize your strengths, listen to what others see in you, and uncover the skills that could lead to your next career move or business idea.With fall bringing fresh-start energy, now is the perfect time to reflect on what you're good at, what others ask you for help with, and what you'd love to do more of. Shannon walks you through her Fall Potential List exercise to help you connect your career experience with what you might want to build next.If you're considering a career change, starting a business, or simply wondering what's next, this episode will help you stop downplaying your potential and start asking a much more powerful question: What's possible?🔗 Get the full show notes here!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
Aug 24, 2026 • 26min
How to Start a Business While Working Full-Time with Jesikah Wells | #267
Jesikah Wells, creator of the faith-based Broken to Beautiful brand and a nonprofit project manager, shares her winding path from legal work to wealth management and beyond. She discusses building a podcast and creative platform while working full-time, navigating motherhood and mom guilt, protecting small pockets of creativity, and turning fear and imposter syndrome into forward motion.
Aug 17, 2026 • 38min
How to Turn Your Corporate Experience Into a Business with Allison Lane | #266
Allison Lane, a PR and marketing veteran who now helps leaders become visible authors and speakers. She talks about turning corporate experience into a business. Conversation covers recognizing transferable skills, building your personal brand before leaving, and using podcasts and communities to grow visibility.
Aug 10, 2026 • 52min
Career Change After 40: How to Figure Out What's Next | #265
A reading that guides listeners through career reinvention, from spotting what no longer fits to identifying transferable skills. It uses the bamboo parable to show growth takes time and normalizes fear during change. Practical steps cover learning, networking, financial prep, and shaping your career story like a production. Personal stories from a TV-to-entrepreneur transition add real-world color.
Jul 27, 2026 • 15min
When to Hire Your First Employee: What to Outsource First to Grow Your Small Business | #264
👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Are you trying to do everything in your business yourself?One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make is waiting too long to hire help. While wearing every hat might seem like the most affordable option, it can actually slow your business growth and lead to burnout.In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach Shannon Russell shares how to know when it's time to hire your first employee, what tasks to outsource first, and how bringing in the right support can help you scale your business faster.Whether you're just starting a business, growing your small business, or navigating your second act career, this episode will help you confidently build a team without feeling overwhelmed.In this episode, you'll learn: How to know when it's time to hire help The difference between hiring employees and outsourcing freelancers What business tasks to outsource first How virtual assistants can save you time When to hire a bookkeeper, web designer, or marketing expert Where to find freelancers and contractors Tips for interviewing, onboarding, and managing your first hire How outsourcing can help you avoid burnout and grow your business If you're ready to stop doing everything yourself and start leading your business like a CEO, this episode is for you.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
Jul 20, 2026 • 12min
How to Choose the Right Business to Start | #263
Practical guidance on picking the right business by asking five key questions. A warning about shiny object syndrome and why copying others leads to burnout. Tips on matching a business to your skills, energy, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Advice on finding paid problems worth solving and avoiding comparison while building intentionally.
