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

Kickstart your business journey in 2026 with a practical roadmap designed for the first 90 days. Discover how to refine your business idea, identify your ideal client, and why you stand out in the crowd. Learn effective strategies for validating your concept through real market research. Shannon emphasizes breaking down tasks into manageable steps to avoid overwhelm and ensure steady progress. Plus, get insights on setting up your business's core foundations, from naming to banking, all while keeping a focus on achievable goals!

*Book a free strategy call with Shannon here.Ready to start (or scale) your business, but want to do it without running on caffeine and chaos? In this episode 229 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Shannon Russell sits down with registered dietitian Lindsay Martens to talk about how to fuel your CEO brain, create sustainable healthy habits, and protect your energy while you build your second act.Lindsay shares why your brain needs consistent fuel (hello, focus and creativity), how to stop the mid-afternoon crash that turns into “why am I like this?” spirals, and how to ditch all-or-nothing wellness rules. If you’re a busy woman juggling work, kids, and a business dream, this conversation will help you build a health routine that’s actually realistic and “good enough” to stick.Key Takeaways:Your brain is your #1 business asset—fueling it supports focus, creativity, decision-making, and emotional regulation.Sustainable health starts with basic needs first (food, sleep, hydration)“Done is better than perfect” applies to wellness too: desk lunch counts if it helps you stay consistent.A quick self-check that helps you reconnect with hunger, thirst, and stress signals.You don’t need to change your body to start your second act—care for your body for the life you want now.Simple, repeatable meals that can prevent energy crashes and keep you steady through busy days.*Get the full show notes here!Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here.--------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)

It’s holiday season and we are talking Hallmark Christmas movies on the Second Act Success Podcast. We are officially fan-girling because film critic and host of the Hallmarkies Podcast Rachel Wagner joins us to talk about hosting this popular podcast with Hallmark and movies at its core. Rachel shares how a love of movie criticism led her to start creating online reviews, launch a podcast, and eventually build a thriving platform that’s now deep into its 9th holiday season (with thousands of episodes!). Along the way, she’s interviewed Hallmark writers, actors, and directors, yet she’s also honest about what actually grows a show: consistency, relationships, and being ready when opportunity knocks.If you love Hallmark Christmas movies, rom-coms, podcasting, content creation, or you’re dreaming about starting a creative second act in the new year, this one is pure holiday gold.Key takeaways from this episode:How Rachel’s love of film criticism turned into a real podcasting career pathWhat it really takes to run a successful podcast Why you don’t need celebrity interviews to build a profitable, loyal audienceHow to “be ready when luck finds you” (and why creative success can be unpredictable)The truth about consistency, repetition, and making content that people actually wantWhy Hallmark is keeping rom-coms alive—and how Rachel built a niche brand around itRachel’s best advice for anyone starting a second act (or launching a podcast in 2026)*Get the full show notes here!Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here.--------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)

*Book a free strategy call with Shannon here.What if you could start a profitable podcast and personal brand before you ever quit your 9–5?In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success podcast, Shannon Russell talks with Francesca (Fran) Stone, founder of 9 to 5 Mom with a Pod—a podcast and consulting platform that helps mom content creators launch personal brands and grow with purpose.Fran shares how her winding career path—from talent agent to paralegal—gave her the business, sales, and people skills she now uses as a full-time entrepreneur. After becoming a mom, she realized her demanding legal career no longer fit the life she wanted, so she started her podcast as a side hustle, monetized it through consulting and affiliates (not sponsorships!), and eventually quit her job to work for herself… all while caring for her toddler at home.If you’re a mom who dreams of starting a podcast, growing a brand, or leaving your 9–5 to work online, this conversation will show you what’s possible—without a massive audience or going viral.Key Takeaways:Every job prepares you for entrepreneurship How Fran’s past roles in admin, accounts receivable, talent representation, and law all gave her skills she now uses in branding, sales, and running her business.Building a business while still in your 9–5 How she tested her idea, validated demand, and stacked part-time income before quitting her job, plus what she put in place financially to make the leap.Running a business with a toddler at home Real talk on routines, support from her husband, working in focused 20-minute pockets, and swapping scroll time for CEO time.You don’t need to go viral to make money Fran proves you can monetize with around 2,000 followers if you have a strong brand, clear offers, and a nurtured audience.*Get the full show notes here!Leave a review for the Second Act Success Podcast here.--------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)

This uplifting discussion celebrates the transformative journeys of nine inspiring authors who published their works in 2025. Each author shares how they turned personal experiences into powerful narratives, offering insights on topics like wellness, finances, and creative expression. From feng shui to cooking, these books encourage women to embrace their second acts and assert their voices. The episode serves as a motivating reminder that it’s never too late to write your own story and pursue your passions!

If you’re a mom who feels like you’ve lost yourself in motherhood, this episode of the Second Act Success Podcast is for you.Host Shannon Russell, business coach for women and author of Start Your Second Act, sits down with former teacher turned stay-at-home mom and community builder Michelle DeKeyser, founder of Mama Genius and the Mama Genius Hub.Michelle shares her honest journey from teaching to being a stay-at-home mom to searching for community with other women, and creating her own Mama Genius community. If you’ve ever thought, “I checked all the boxes—marriage, kids, house—so why do I still feel empty?”, Michelle’s story will help you feel seen, less alone, and inspired to create your own second act.We talk about motherhood, identity, mom burnout, community, and starting a business as a mom, and how to find the courage to listen to that quiet now-what voice inside.Key Takeaways:Losing Yourself in Motherhood: Why so many moms feel stuck, burned out, and out of alignment after years of putting everyone else first.From Stay-at-Home Mom to Mom Entrepreneur: The moment she realized she needed “something more” and how she slowly transitioned into launching a second-act business for moms.Why Moms Need Community & Belonging: How Michelle created Mama Genius, a safe community for moms to be vulnerable, share ideas, and rebuild their identity beyond “just mom.”This episode is perfect for:Stay-at-home moms wondering what’s nextWorking moms who feel misaligned in their careersWomen craving community, purpose, and a second-act businessAnyone interested in personal growth, mom entrepreneurship, and identity after kidsSHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/225Connect with Michelle DeKeyser:https://connectingmamas.com/https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/mama-genius-hub/episodes/https://mamageniushub.com/---------------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)

A warm year-end reflection on gratitude, personal growth, and preparing for fresh starts. She highlights publishing a book, expanding speaking work, and running corporate LEGO Serious Play workshops. Family milestones, travel memories, and podcast achievements get celebrated. The conversation invites listeners to slow down, note wins, and plan intentional next steps for their second acts.

Dani Cee, a former Chief Marketing Officer who left a 20-year corporate career to found the Happy Life Agenda and help women design values-aligned second acts. She shares why she walked away from the 9–5, the journaling and faith practices that created clarity, her four-pillar framework—openness, clarity, connection, purpose—and practical steps for building a happier, family-friendly career.

Feeling out of alignment in your life or career? In this episode, host and business coach for women Shannon Russell sits down with Dina Berrin, former fitness pro and staffing leader turned intuitive life coach, to share how she transformed a long corporate chapter into a purpose-driven second act. Dina reveals how tarot, numerology, astrology, and her original charm reading method help clients dissolve limiting beliefs, reconnect with their authentic selves, and step into their full potential. If you’re a woman in midlife craving a career change, a more soul-aligned business, or a clear path to your next chapter, this conversation is your roadmap.Key TakeawaysCareer Change & Second Act: How Dina moved from fitness and staffing to a thriving practice as an intuitive life coach.Alignment Over Hustle: Practical ways to spot when you’re out of alignment and how to realign your life and business with your values.Tools That Transform: How tarot, numerology, astrology, and charm readings create powerful breakthroughs and action steps.From Side Hustle to Full-Time: Building skills on the side while in a 9–5—and knowing when to leap into your own business.Confidence & Clarity: Reframing “failure” as data, strengthening intuition, and making courageous choices during career transitions.Year-Nine Numerology Insight: Why releasing what no longer fits sets you up for a strong next cycle—and a more authentic second act.SHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/222Connect with Dina Berrin:https://dinaberrin.com/https://www.instagram.com/dinaberrin/---------------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)

What if a layoff is the nudge you needed to quit corporate, start a business, and design a second-act career you actually love? In this inspiring conversation on episode #221 of the Second Act Success Podcast, Aransas Savas—innovation leader turned coach, community builder, and host of The Uplifters—shares how losing her role at Weight Watchers became the catalyst to redefine success, create flexible income, and prioritize a life that fits.We dive into career change after layoffs, how to leverage your network, and Aransas’s framework for building “courage capital” so you can take bold, confident action—whether that means launching a business, starting a podcast, creating a community, or pivoting roles. If you’re craving purpose, freedom, and fulfillment, this episode is your roadmap to a second act.Key TakeawaysCareer Pivot After Layoffs: How Aransas transformed a corporate layoff into a second-act career with more freedom and meaning.Courage Capital: A practical framework to build self-belief, take risks, and make bold moves in business and life.From Corporate to Creator: Lessons from innovation, research, and service design that translate into entrepreneurship.Network Power: Why your network, mentors, and community accelerate a successful career transition.Iterate to Clarity: Use rapid prototyping and feedback to validate offers, events, and new business ideas.Holistic Success: Rethinking compensation—time freedom, family presence, and well-being vs. a predictable paycheck.Show Notes:https://secondactsuccess.co/221Connect with Aransas Savas:https://www.aransassavas.com/https://www.aransassavas.com/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/aransas_savas/-------------------------------------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)