Two Years After Leaving Corporate: What Actually Changed (and What It Took)
In this episode, I talk about:
Why different seasons require different strategies
Why comparing your path to someone else’s will keep you stuck
How slowing down unlocked more creativity and clarity than hustling ever did
What growth looked like from $5K to six figures
Two years ago, I walked away from my corporate job. And if I’m being honest… I had no idea what I was really stepping into.
I had a podcast. I had a feeling. I had a desire for something different. But I didn’t have a clear plan. And now, sitting here two years later, I can say this with full honesty:
It has been one of the hardest, and most transformative, seasons of my life.
What the Beginning Actually Looked Like
When I left corporate, I thought I knew what I was going to do. Events, coaching/strategy, and more events.
It made sense. It was my background. It was what I was good at. So I jumped in doing event planning, coordinating, and building a community around it.
But behind the scenes?
I made around $5,000 my first year
I maxed out credit cards
I invested heavily in rooms, coaches, and learning
I questioned everything
There was no instant success story. There was just… figuring it out.
The Pivot That Changed Everything
The turning point came in early 2025. Through one connection, I landed my first fractional COO client.. something I had thought about, but hadn’t fully stepped into yet.
And that one opportunity opened a completely new path. It led to:
More clients
A new skillset being activated
A realization that my experience could translate far beyond events
And eventually, it brought me back to something I didn’t even realize I had been wanting all along: Software systems, operations, and transitions. A full-circle moment I didn’t see coming. (Listen into the podcast episode to hear more about this full circle moment)
The Identity Shedding No One Prepares You For
At the same time, I went through something deeper. I had to untangle myself from:
My job title
My offers
My business identity
Because I had tied so much of my worth to what I did. And when that started shifting… it forced me to ask: Who am I without all of this?
That’s when I landed on my purpose: To ignite self-trust and sovereignty in others by living it first myself.
And everything started to change from there.
From Survival to Expansion
Fast forward to now:
I went from $5K → $100K+ in one year
I’m building a team
I’m stepping out of execution and into the visionary/CEO role fully
I’m simplifying my business
I’m preparing for motherhood
And maybe the biggest shift of all? I’m no longer trying to do everything alone.
The 5 Lessons That Changed Everything
If I could distill the last two years into five lessons, it would be this:
1. You will move through different seasons
There are seasons for learning. Seasons for action. Seasons for hustle. And seasons for rest.
Your job is to know which one you’re in.
2. Not every room is meant for you
Not every event. Not every coach. Not every opportunity.
Discernment will save you time, money, and energy.
3. Old habits don’t disappear overnight
Especially coming from corporate. The urgency. The overworking. The need to constantly be “on.” You have to consciously unlearn it.
4. Not everything is meant for you
Just because it works for someone else… doesn’t mean it’s aligned for you.
You get to choose your path.
5. Creativity comes when you slow down
This one is the hardest. But it’s also the most true.
When you pause… When you rest… When you create space…
That’s where your best ideas come from.
Where I Am Now
Right now, I’m in a season of:
Simplifying
Hiring
Expanding
Preparing for what’s next
And for the first time, it feels like my business is being built to support my life, not the other way around.
If you’re in the messy middle right now…
If you’re questioning your path… If you’re wondering if it’s working… I want you to hear this:
It’s allowed to take time. It’s allowed to be nonlinear. It’s allowed to look different than you expected.
Two years ago, I had no idea this is where I’d be. And that’s kind of the point. You don’t need to know how. You just need to know your desires, what is aligned for you, and what the next action step is.
If you are seeking support or you read all of this and think, I don’t know if I can do this alone. You don’t have to.
This is exactly the support I provide inside of IME, specifically around setting your annual desires, then breaking this up into both 90 day and 30 day priorities with micro action steps, masterminding with other women business owners, and more. Learn more HERE and apply for the next journey kicking off in May 2026!
Cat Roten
Intuitive Leader & Mentor