The Pool's Empty and Betty Sue's Giving The Ick

Pop the tab on something cold and settle in — it's time for another round of Drinks After Work!

 

This time, we're talking all about:

• Power dynamics at work — from Betty Sue in finance to team leads on power trips
• When to leave corporate America and go out on your own
• The ick of entrepreneurship: trading one set of problems for another
• The harsh realities no one tells you (spoiler: healthcare costs will make you cry)
• Why the system wasn't built to support entrepreneurs — and how to survive anyway
• How to know if you're built for the solo life (and what to do if you're not)

 

In this episode, Shannon and Deborah dive into the messy reality of leaving corporate America to start your own business. It sounds amazing when you're sitting in your corporate chair collecting a corporate paycheck, but then you realize you're just trading one set of problems. They break down the things nobody warns you about — healthcare costs that want it all upfront, business insurance requirements, wearing every single hat, and the scam artists promising you can make $5 million in a year if you just buy their course. But it's not all doom and gloom — they also share real resources and remind you that failing forward is part of the process, whether you're in corporate or on your own.

 

So sip, swig, or chug — and get ready to:

• Recognize power dynamics before they bite you in the @$$
• Know your strengths and weaknesses before you jump ship
• Find free resources through the Small Business Association and community colleges
• Shop around for the right networks (and don't be afraid to leave the wrong ones)
• Stop trying to perfect everything — it's an iterative process
• Remember that going back to corporate doesn't make you a failure

 

Because it wouldn't be Drinks After Work without the drinks, here are the FAB: Deborah: Rise Mushroom Coffee — With almond milk and sugarcane sugar. Shannon: Starbucks Black Coffee — Plus donuts, because sometimes you just need the comfort food of all comfort foods.   Find all our drink recipes and more at our website.

 

 

Resources:

• Small Business Administration
• Chicago Small Business Expo 

  Be part of the Learning Rebels Community. Continue the conversation while building connections and capability. Learn more here.   Join the Coffee Chat conversations Be part of Learning Rebels live Coffee Chat Discussions! Sign up here.     Hire Learning Rebels. When you need learning that sticks, we’ll fight to make performance results happen. Visit the Learning Rebels website to learn more.   Hosts: Shannon Tipton & Deborah Harris   Podcast produced by: Obsidian Productions