Second Act Success: Business Tips & Career Change Advice for Women

Kelly Schuknecht, a marketing and thought leadership consultant who launched a visibility-focused agency after a corporate layoff. She explains how an unexpected job loss became the springboard to start fast, land clients, and build a thought leadership business centered on speaking, LinkedIn content, podcasts, and book publishing. Practical tips on personal branding and choosing action over perfection are highlighted.

In this special episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell participates in Podcastathon 2026, a global initiative where podcasters dedicate an episode to highlight a charity that matters deeply to them.The organization Shannon chose to spotlight is Big Brothers Big Sisters, specifically Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal and Northern New Jersey.Before becoming a business coach for women, Shannon spent years running a Snapology STEM and robotics franchise, where she partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring hands-on LEGO and robotics programs to their mentorship events. Through those experiences, she saw firsthand how powerful mentorship can be.Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children, known as “Littles,” with caring mentors called “Bigs.” These relationships help young people build confidence, develop strong life skills, and see new possibilities for their future.In this episode, Shannon shares:Why mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s lifeHow the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentorship program builds confidence and opportunityThe connection between mentorship and personal growthHow one supportive relationship can create a lifelong ripple effectWays you can support Big Brothers Big Sisters in your own communityThis conversation ties directly into the mission of Second Act Success, because whether you are a child learning to believe in yourself or an adult building a new chapter in life, having someone who believes in you can change everything.If you’ve ever had a mentor who shaped your life, or if you believe in supporting the next generation, this episode will inspire you to take action.Ways to Support Big Brothers Big Sisters:You can make a difference by supporting the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters.Donate nationally: donate.bbbs.orgSupport Shannon’s local chapter: mentornj.orgYou can also volunteer to become a mentor, share this episode, or simply spread awareness about the impact of mentorship.One caring adult can truly change the life of a child.🔗 Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.-------- Book a free Strategy Call with Shannon Download Free Resources ➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok More resources & discounts: Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving) Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year) Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order) Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off) Podmatch Guesting (*Some affiliate links)

Practical steps for researching and validating a new business idea. How to define an ideal customer and why niching helps. Ways to analyze competitors and assess market demand. Methods to test ideas with surveys, interviews, MVPs, presales, and early feedback.

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Have you ever worried that changing careers means everything you’ve done up to this point was a waste?In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with Kayla Sweet, a transformational life coach and founder of Internally Guided Leadership Consulting, to talk about transformation, alignment, burnout, and career transitions.Kayla shares how she started in community mental health, hit burnout, and used that turning point to rebuild her path in a way that honors both purpose and wellness. Together, Shannon and Kayla unpack why your past experience is never purposeless. The skills you’ve built, the lessons you’ve learned, and the work you’ve done all tie together in ways you can use to create your second act career.If you’re navigating a midlife career transition, feeling stuck in burnout, or wondering what’s next, this episode will help you rethink the story you’re telling yourself and start moving toward work that feels more like you.In this episode, we talk about:Why your previous career experience is never wastedThe truth about burnout and the warning signs most women ignoreHow to set boundaries and protect your energy during a career transitionWhy “alignment” matters more than a perfect planHow to follow the breadcrumbs toward a second act career that fits your life nowBuilding a fulfilling path that blends stability, creativity, and purposeThe mindset shift that helps you stop saying “I can’t” and start asking “Why not me?”🔗 Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.I missed my son’s first birthday. And that moment changed everything in my career. In this deeply personal episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares the story of the day she was producing a major MTV shoot at South by Southwest while her baby celebrated his first birthday without her.On paper, it looked like success. Behind the scenes, it felt like heartbreak.If you are a working mom feeling stretched thin...If you love your career but are not where it’s taking you...If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is this really the life I want?”...Then this episode #245 will resonate with you.This episode dives into:Working mom guilt and career pressureThe emotional pull between ambition and familyRecognizing when your career no longer fits your lifeEarly signs it may be time for a midlife career transitionHow one moment can plant the seeds for your second actShannon shares how that moment became the catalyst for leaving television, starting a business, and eventually becoming a business coach for women navigating career transitions.Your turning point might not look dramatic. It might be quiet. It might be emotional. But it matters.And it might be the beginning of your second act career.🔗 Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Have you ever been more afraid of your dream coming true than of it failing?Fear of failure is real, but what about the fear of success?In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, dives into one of the most overlooked blocks in entrepreneurship and career transitions: the fear of actually succeeding.If you’ve been procrastinating launching your business, stalling on finishing your website, or quietly holding back from fully going all in, this episode is for you.Inside, we unpack:What fear of success really is and why it shows up during a career transitionWhy achieving your dream business can feel scarier than failingThe hidden identity shift that happens when you become your own bossHow fear of change keeps women stuck in corporate rolesPractical ways to reframe fear and step into your second act with confidenceFor women navigating a midlife career transition, leaving a 9 to 5 job, or starting a business after years in corporate, this conversation will help you understand why you may be subconsciously holding yourself back.Success is not an ending. It is the beginning of your next chapter.If you’re ready to move past fear and build a business aligned with your life, this episode will help you step into the next version of you.🔗 Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Are you struggling to get your resume noticed in today’s competitive job market? Wondering how to get past AI resume screeners and actually land an interview?In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with former recruiter turned career strategist Sindy Thomas, host of The Insider Career Club Podcast. With over 25 years of experience in talent acquisition across biotech, pharmaceuticals, IT, and corporate industries, Sindy shares insider hiring secrets that every job seeker needs to know.From applicant tracking systems (ATS) and AI resume bots to LinkedIn networking strategies and researching companies before you apply, Sindy breaks down how the hiring process really works, and what you can do to stand out.Whether you're navigating a career change, re-entering the workforce, or facing layoffs in today’s shifting economy, this episode gives you practical strategies to help you get seen, get connected, and get hired.If you’re ready to stop blindly applying online and start networking strategically, this conversation is a must-listen.*Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.If you don’t want your boss’s job… why are you still climbing the ladder?This episode of the Second Act Success Podcast with business coach Shannon Russell is your wake-up call.So many high-achieving women are working long hours, chasing promotions, and saying yes to more responsibility. Yet when they look at the next level, they realize something uncomfortable.They don’t actually want it.This episode challenges the traditional corporate ladder mindset and invites you to rethink what success really means in this season of your life.  Especially if you are a woman in a corporate leadership role, an ambitious professional feeling burned out, or someone considering a career pivot into entrepreneurship.If you’re navigating a midlife career transition, questioning your next promotion, or wondering whether entrepreneurship could be your second act, this conversation will hit home.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why so many women climb the corporate ladder on autopilotHow to recognize when you’re chasing a promotion you don’t truly wantThe hidden trade-offs that come with every rung of the ladderWhat it means to step off the hamster wheel without “quitting”How to redirect your skills into a second act career or businessThe truth is, success isn’t about climbing higher. It’s about aligning your work with the life you actually want. If the thought of having your boss’s job drains you instead of excites you, that’s information. And you’re allowed to use it.Ready to explore what your second act could look like? Book a free strategy call and let’s map it out together.🔗 Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.If you have ever read Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield, you know she encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pick a quit date and put it on the calendar. For many women, that bold move is exactly what helps them finally take action.In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell shares a different approach. One rooted in preparation, confidence, and financial stability.Shannon explains why she does not believe in circling a random date on the calendar and quitting your job before you are truly ready. Instead, she teaches her proven philosophy of learning before you leap.This episode is perfect for women who want to start a business but do not want to rush, panic, or put unnecessary pressure on themselves or their finances.In this episode, you will learn:Why picking a quit date can create stress and fearHow financial readiness builds confidence in entrepreneurshipWhy validating your business idea matters before you quitWhat it really looks like to transition from a job into business ownershipHow to build a second act business that lastsIf you are craving freedom and fulfillment but want a thoughtful and strategic path forward, this episode will help you feel grounded, prepared, and confident about your next move.*Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)

👉 Start Your Second Act Strategy Call with Shannon here.Do you feel guilty about wanting to change your career when your partner is unhappy in their job, but refuses to make a move? You’re not alone, and this episode is your permission slip to move forward anyway.In this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast, business coach and author Shannon Russell tackles one of the most common emotional roadblocks women face when considering a career pivot or starting a business: guilt tied to a partner’s unhappiness. If you’ve been asking yourself, “How can I pursue my dream when my partner won’t change?”, this conversation is for you.Shannon breaks down why this guilt shows up, why it’s not yours to carry, and how choosing yourself is not selfish, it’s self-leadership. You’ll learn how to separate your career journey from your partner’s, communicate with compassion, reframe guilt, and confidently take steps toward a more fulfilling life and career.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why you are not responsible for fixing your partner’s careerHow to overcome guilt when you want more, but your partner feels stuckThe mindset shift from selfish to self-leadershipHow pursuing your own growth can positively impact your family and kidsPractical steps to move forward with confidence, even without full supportIf you’re craving change but feel weighed down by guilt, this episode will help you release it, refocus on what you can control, and take aligned action toward your second act.*Get the full show notes here!Subscribe now for actionable insights on how to shift your mindset, take control of your career, and build a thriving business.🔗 For more inspiration and resources, visit https://secondactsuccess.co.--------Book a free Strategy Call with ShannonDownload Free Resources➡️ Let's Connect: Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTokMore resources & discounts:Home Chef Meal Delivery - (free shipping & $4.99/serving)Flodesk Email Marketing - (25% off 1st year)Stitch Fix Personal Stylist - ($25 off 1st order)Buzzsprout Podcast Hosting - ($20 off)Podmatch Guesting(*Some affiliate links)