#023: Transitioning from Corporate
Words I Believe: You don’t have to fully replace your corporate salary before you go. The real shift is learning how to adapt your life and business to your new reality, so you can step into freedom sooner and with confidence.
Transitioning from Corporate
I can still remember that day like it was yesterday.
I was sitting at my desk in my home office during the pandemic — the room quiet, my mind wandering — when out of nowhere, a small voice whispered:
"December 31, 2020, is your last day."
My heart skipped a beat.
“What do you mean, my last day?”
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks:
→ My last day in corporate.
→ My last day playing small.
→ My last day fearing the unknown.
→ My last day without impacting more lives.
→ My last day not controlling my time.
→ My last day living a life others created for me.
That same day, I turned to my husband and said:
“Honey, my last day at this job is December 31st.”
At first, he didn’t believe me; I’d always been the cautious type.
But as time passed, he started to feel uneasy and even suggested I leave sooner.
Still, I knew I needed to stick to my plan and make a smooth transition.
If you’ve been dreaming of leaving corporate to coach full-time, here’s the reality:
You may not be able to pick a December date like I did…
But you can create a plan that works for you, one that balances financial security with momentum in your business.
Here’s the exact 3-phase process I followed (and now teach my clients):
Phase 1 — Planning
→ Decide on your exit date: clarity gives you a deadline and focus.
→ Use your spare time strategically: early mornings, lunch breaks, and weekends become prime business-building time.
→ Accept temporary sacrifices: fewer social outings, more late nights, knowing they’re an investment in your freedom.
→ Understand the financial reality: your business may not fully replace your corporate salary at first (and that’s okay).
Mindset shift: Stop waiting to match your corporate income. Instead, adjust your lifestyle to thrive in your new reality.
Phase 2 — Transitioning
→ Negotiate a part-time or flexible schedule if possible: it’s a softer landing that preserves income while freeing up time.
→ Offboard your corporate role strategically: train your replacement, document processes, and leave on good terms.
→ Use this time to test your offers, refine your sales process, and build a client roster without the pressure of needing every sale to survive.
Phase 3 — Post-Transition
→ Create daily structure: block time for coaching, content creation, and client acquisition.
→ Prioritize marketing and sales daily: they’re your business’s lifeblood.
→ Guard your time fiercely: stop letting admin work eat your prime energy hours.
→ Build systems early so you can grow without burnout.
I’ve seen this approach transform my clients’ lives:
Like Tonya, who:
→ Left her senior tech role after just 6 months of working together.
→ Didn’t replace her corporate salary first — instead, she restructured her life to fit her new reality.
→ Now walks dogs part-time for joy, runs her coaching business full-time, and says she’s the happiest she’s ever been. Her business? Thriving.
And Kenneth, who:
→ Scaled his coaching business to $20K+ months before officially leaving his 9–5.
→ By the time he walked out of corporate, he already had the income, systems, and clients in place.
→ Today, he leads his own team and scales his business entirely on his own terms.
If you’re ready to stop waiting for “someday” and start building your transition plan now…
Schedule a free strategy call with me — we’ll map out your path from corporate to coaching full-time in a way that protects your income and your sanity, while aligning with the life you actually want to live.
P.S. You don’t have to replace your corporate income before you leave.
You need a plan, the right structure, and the courage to step into your new season. Let’s design that together.
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