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What You’ll Hear

00:00-01:00 | Welcome & Context | A quick recap of the three-part journey so far and why today is all about decisive action.

01:00-03:30 | The Decision Matrix Framework | Score traditional employment vs. entrepreneurship on 5 dimensions—Financial Security, Personal Fulfillment, Lifestyle Compatibility, Risk Tolerance, and Market Viability.

03:30-05:30 | The Hybrid / Portfolio Approach | How consulting bridges, side-hustle strategies, and phased transitions de-risk your next move.

05:30-07:00 | Your 90-Day Action Plan | Day-by-day structure for Foundation → Active Pursuit → Evaluation & Adjustment.

08:00-08:30 | Reality-Check Pivot Signals | Red flags that tell you it’s time to tweak or change course—without labeling it failure.

08:30-9:00 | Long-Term Lens & Final Charge | Two- and five-year visioning, plus your homework to lock in momentum.

Decision Matrix Cheatsheet

Rate each path 1–10 on the five dimensions, add the totals, and let the numbers spark an honest conversation with yourself (and your advisory board). A simple table or spreadsheet works; perfection isn’t required—clarity is.

🚀 90-Day Action Plan Highlights

1. Days 1-30 – Foundation
   • Finish your matrix, calculate runway, refresh LinkedIn/resumé, validate ideas, rally your personal board.
2. Days 31-60 – Active Pursuit
   • Apply, pitch, network hard; build an MVP if leaning entrepreneurial; stack certifications.
3. Days 61-90 – Evaluate & Adjust
   • Double-down on wins, pivot from dead ends, weigh job offers, or set launch milestones.

⚠️ Pivot Triggers

• Job Search: <60-day silence → widen geography, add contract roles, explore adjacent fields.
• Startup: Crickets from target customers → refine offer, reposition, or rethink model.
• Universal: Shrinking runway, family shifts, or unexpected opportunities → recalibrate.

📝 Your Homework

1. Complete the matrix—today.
2. Draft and calendar your 90-day plan.
3. Share both with your advisory board for accountability.

If this series sparked clarity, pay it forward!
Rate & review on Apple Podcasts ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and share this episode with a friend navigating their own crossroads. Your future self (and ours) will thank you.

Ready? The next chapter of your career isn’t going to write itself—go claim it.

https://midlifekicker.buzzsprout.com
On Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts.

Send us a text--we read all of them!

Episode Overview
Changing careers in your 40s, 50s, or beyond isn’t a solo sport. In this episode we break down the three pillars of support—professional, peer, and personal—and show you how to turn them into your secret advantage. You’ll walk away with a blueprint for assembling a Personal Advisory Board, plus concrete resources that make the journey faster, safer, and way less stressful.

Key Takeaways

1. Three-Pillar Framework: Professional, peer, and personal support each solve different problems—cultivate all three.
2. Strategic Networking: Focus on high-value relationships and lead with generosity; your decades of expertise are your currency.
3. Digital Storytelling: An optimized LinkedIn profile and thought-leadership posts position you for the next chapter, not the last one.
4. Resource Goldmine: Specialized nonprofit programs and industry groups can provide free or low-cost guidance tailored to 50-plus professionals.
5. Personal Advisory Board: A curated team of 5–7 people creates accountability, perspective, and momentum—build yours now.

Resources Mentioned

• AARP Foundation – Free coaching & job-search tools for 50+ job seekers
• Encore Fellowships – Paid project work in the nonprofit sector
• ReServe – Part-time opportunities for experienced professionals
• Catalyst / Lean In – Career resources for women in transition
• Industry Associations – Search “[Your Industry] + professional association” for local chapters
• Local Workforce Centers & Libraries – Free workshops, résumé help, networking groups

Action Steps

1. Audit Your Support: Which pillar is weakest right now? Plug that gap first.
2. Update LinkedIn: Rewrite your headline to reflect where you’re headed, not where you’ve been.
3. Reach Out: Invite one person to join your Personal Advisory Board this week.

Loved this episode?
Leave a rating, share with a friend navigating a career pivot, and tag us on LinkedIn with your biggest takeaway using #MidlifeKicker.

Subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s finale on deciding between traditional employment and launching your own venture—plus how to set a realistic transition timeline

https://midlifekicker.buzzsprout.com
On Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts.

Send us a text--we read all of them!

Ready to swap the cubicle for a corner office of your own making? In this episode, we unpack why professionals 45 and older are twice as likely to build successful companies—and how you can join their ranks. You’ll learn how to leverage deep industry insight, vast networks, and a lifetime of hard-won credibility to launch a business that fits your goals, lifestyle, and finances.

🚀 What You’ll Discover

Key Takeaways00:02 — 05:31 |

Why Midlife = Prime Time for Startups | Kauffman data on 45+ founders, unique advantages of age & experience
05:32 — 14:10 |

Model #1: Consultant / Freelancer | Low overhead, quickest start; how to pitch ex-colleagues and employers
14:11 — 21:45 |

Model #2: Franchise Route | “Training wheels” entrepreneurship, what to look for in a franchisor
21:46 — 31:50 |

Model #3: Tech Startup | Lean methodology, MVPs, testing before scaling
31:51 — 40:05 |

Show Me the Money | Runway, retirement impact, healthcare, family considerations
40:06 — 46:30 |

Resource Round-Up | SBDC, SCORE mentors, industry accelerators, online courses
46:31 — End | Action Plan | 1-week challenge: pick a model, take 3 concrete steps, keep options open

Resources Mentioned

1. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) – Free 1-on-1 consulting
2. SCORE Mentors – Seasoned entrepreneurs offering zero-cost guidance
3. Franchise Directories – Start your discovery (Franchise.org, FranchiseGator.com)
4. Lean Startup Reading List – Eric Ries’ The Lean Startup, Steve Blank’s The Four Steps to the Epiphany
5. Online Learning – Coursera’s “Entrepreneurship” specialization, LinkedIn Learning’s “Business Plan Foundations”

✅ Your 1-Week Action Challenge

• Consulting? List 10 potential clients ➜ email or call 3 this week.
• Franchising? Request info from 3 brands in industries you know or love.
• Startup? Interview 5 potential users to validate your idea—no code required.

🙌 Join the Conversation

Have questions or success stories from your own midlife leap into entrepreneurship?

https://midlifekicker.buzzsprout.com
On Spotify, Apple and wherever you get your podcasts.