Second Act Success: Business Tips & Career Change Advice for Women
Shannon Russell | Business Coach for Women and Author of Start Your Second Act
Welcome to the Second Act Success Podcast, a top 2% globally ranked show designed to help ambitious women like you who are ready to change careers, start a business, and create a fulfilled life you deserve. Hosted by Shannon Russell, business coach for women, author, and entrepreneur, this podcast helps you transition from employee to entrepreneur with clarity, confidence, and a strategic action plan.Listen and Learn:- How to quit your job and start a business that lights you up- Strategies for career change after 40 and designing your second act- Business planning, marketing, and personal branding tips for women- How to validate your business idea and find your ideal clients- How to use your career experience in your role as a female entrepreneur- Success stories from women who’ve turned their side hustles into thriving businessesWhether you’re planning an exit strategy, exploring midlife career pivots, or ready to become your own boss, you’ll find actionable steps, real-life inspiration, and expert guidance here on the show, so you can start your second act. Is this podcast for you? - Are you dreaming of quitting your corporate job to start your own business?- Do you want advice on launching a business, marketing your offers, designing your personal brand, and putting your business strategies in place?- Are you ready to overcome fear and turn your skills and experience from the corporate world into your second act business where you are the boss?- Do you crave a flexible lifestyle that allows you to focus on your family and your creative passions while still bringing income into your household?- Are you ready to become your own boss and build a business that is all yours?- Is it time to turn your side hustle into a full-time business?If you answered YES, then you’re in the right place and this podcast will teach you everything you need to know. 🎧 Listen to new episodes every week to help you build your second act.🔗 Book a free Second Act Strategy Call with host Shannon Russell and download free resources at https://secondactsuccess.co.Subscribe now and embark on a journey towards your second act!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 1, 2025 • 27min
Betting on Paradise: How One Couple Left Corporate Careers, Moved to Costa Rica, and Built Their Dream Life | #210
Meet Luke Shantz, a former corporate sales pro who co-founded and renovated a boutique hotel in Costa Rica, and Steph Sitt, a hospitality expert who left corporate life to rebuild and run the property. They share leaving 9–5s, buying and TV-renovating a rundown hotel, parenting through big change, filming for HGTV, and launching transformational Costa Rica retreats.
Aug 25, 2025 • 9min
Don’t Wait to Be Pushed Out: Build a Business on Your Terms and Take Back Control | #209
Are you waiting for a layoff, burnout, or bad boss to make the next move for you? In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host and business coach Shannon Russell challenges you to stop waiting and start building a business that puts you in charge.Shannon walks you through how to:Create an exit strategy from your 9–5 jobStart a side hustle using your existing skillsBuild a bridge from employee to entrepreneurReclaim your purpose after a career setbackSet goals and take action toward your Second Act successIf you're a midlife woman who feels undervalued at work or fears being pushed out, this is your wake-up call to future-proof your income and finally create something that no one can take away from you.🎯 It’s not about starting over. It’s about starting forward—with clarity, confidence, and control.👉 Learn more about Shannon’s Second Act Accelerator program: secondactsuccess.co/courseSHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/209----------------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)
Aug 18, 2025 • 24min
"I'll Never Fire Myself!" - Losing Her Job Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Her - Meet Betsy Pepine | #208
What happens when you get laid off, divorced, and find yourself at rock bottom all at once? For serial entrepreneur and real estate powerhouse Betsy Pepine, it sparked a second act that changed everything. In this inspiring episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell chats with Betsy about how she went from being a single mom with two toddlers and no job to building a thriving real estate empire, including a brokerage, title company, mortgage business, property management firm, and a nonprofit.Betsy shares how losing control in her corporate job pushed her to build a life she could own...literally. She opens up about her “boxes” metaphor from her book Breaking Boxes, finding purpose through her nonprofit Pepine Gives, and her lessons from mentor Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank.If you're a woman ready to quit your 9-5 and start a business, this episode is your sign to take control of your future.SHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/208Connect with Betsy Pepine:https://www.pepinerealty.com/about/betsy-pepine/https://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Boxes-Dismantling-Metaphorical-That-ebook/dp/B0D6CM2JSL----------------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)
Aug 11, 2025 • 8min
Back to Business: How Moms Can Start a Business While the Kids Are in Class | #207
No distractions, no excuses! How you can start your business, while the kids are back to school. In this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host and business coach Shannon Russell shares actionable tips for moms and working women who want to start a business while the kids are in school. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom or juggling a 9–5, this episode will show you how to maximize your time, create a 90-day business plan, and build a business that fits your life.You’ll learn how to:Set up your CEO schedule during school hoursUse your career experience to guide your business ideaCreate a simple business plan without the overwhelmSet realistic 90-day business goals before the holidaysGet the support you need to go from employee to entrepreneurNow is the perfect season to launch your second act and start building your dream business—one school day at a time.👉 Learn more about Shannon’s Second Act Accelerator program to help you get your business built and launched in 90 days: secondactsuccess.co/courseSHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/207---------------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)
Aug 4, 2025 • 26min
Midlife, Menopause & Momentum: How Jenny Waters Helps Women Thrive With Wellness | #206
Are you struggling with energy, brain fog, or feeling stuck in midlife? This episode is for you.In this powerful episode #206 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell chats with Jenny Waters, a former engineer who turned a family health crisis into a mission-driven wellness business. Jenny shares her raw and relatable story of perimenopause, her husband’s autoimmune diagnosis, and how she reclaimed her health—and her confidence—through transformational nutrition.Now a certified Transformational Nutrition Coach and founder of Jenny Waters Wellness, she helps women in midlife reduce inflammation, balance hormones, and build a second act filled with energy, purpose, and passion.🎧 Tune in to learn:The signs of hormone imbalance and how to advocate for your healthWhy midlife is the perfect time to launch a business or second actHow Jenny went from engineer and youth director to YouTube wellness coachPractical ways to fight fatigue, manage stress, and feel like yourself againThe small changes that can lead to lasting transformationThis episode is packed with hope, practical tips, and proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story—and thrive in your next chapter.SHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/206Connect with Jenny Waters:https://www.youtube.com/@jennywaterswellnesshttps://www.jennywaterswellness.com/https://www.jennywaterswellness.com/thrivehttps://www.instagram.com/jennywaterswellness/_____--------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)
Jul 28, 2025 • 37min
The Moment I Quit: How One Bold Move Led to a Thriving Leadership Coaching Business with Lindsay White | #205
Have you ever hit a breaking point at work where you just knew—you were done? In this powerful episode #205 of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell sits down with leadership coach and HR strategist Lindsay White, who shares the moment she abruptly quit her 20-year corporate career with no plan... and never looked back.Lindsay opens up about the toxic leadership that pushed her out of her corporate job, the toll it took on her health, and how she turned that career crisis into a successful business through High Voltage Leadership. You’ll hear how she leaned into her experience, built her coaching certification, and launched a podcast and consultancy that helps leaders build better cultures and become the kind of bosses people want to work for.This candid conversation dives into:How to know when it’s time to walk away from your 9-to-5Turning HR experience into a purpose-driven businessCreating a people-first culture in small businessThe emotional side of quitting a job without a backup planWhy your second act can be the best one yetWhether you're thinking about leaving your job, dealing with burnout, or dreaming of building something of your own—this episode will inspire you to take the leap (with or without a plan).🎧 Listen now and get ready to produce your best life!SHOW NOTEShttps://secondactsuccess.co/205Connect with Lindsay White:https://www.highvoltageleadership.ca/https://www.highvoltageleadership.ca/podcasthttps://www.instagram.com/highvoltleadership/_______--------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)
Jul 21, 2025 • 31min
Plan Your Third Act: Financial Freedom and Reinvention After 50 with Katana Abbott | #204
Is it too late to start over at 50? Absolutely not.In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, Shannon Russell is joined by Certified Financial Planner, midlife millionaire coach, and host of Smart Women Talk Radio, Katana Abbott. Katana shares her remarkable story of resilience—from personal trauma to building a thriving financial planning business managing over $100 million.Katana reveals why your third act can be the most purposeful and profitable season of your life. You’ll learn how to identify your financial gaps, understand your Social Security options, and create a smart retirement strategy—even if you’re starting later than expected. She also explains her “5 Money Personalities” framework, how to overcome limiting beliefs around money, and what every woman should know before walking into retirement.🎁 Plus, Katana shares a free resource: The 5 Biggest Money Mistakes Women Make and How To Fix Them. Don’t miss it!🎯 Takeaways from this episode:Why your past struggles can fuel your purpose and financial futureThe 4% rule explained (and how much you really need to retire)How to create guaranteed lifetime income—even without a pensionWhen and how to claim Social Security the smart wayHow to design a purpose-driven third act doing what you loveWhy financial planning isn’t just for men—and how women can take control confidentlySHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/204📬 Access Katana’s free ebook and learn more: https://katanaabbott.com5 Money Mistakes - https://smartwomensempowerment.org/sign-up/https://www.linkedin.com/in/katanaabbott/https://x.com/katanaabbotthttps://www.facebook.com/KAWealthCoach---------------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)
Jul 17, 2025 • 13min
From Career Rut to Business Ready: How the Second Act Accelerator Helps You Quit Your Job and Launch a Business in 90 Days | #203
Tired of the Sunday Scaries and dreaming of quitting your 9-5 to start a business that lights you up? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do it alone either. In this episode, Shannon Russell shares the behind-the-scenes details of her signature coaching program, the Second Act Accelerator, a 90-day proven framework that helps women leave their careers and build the freedom-filled business they’ve always wanted.You’ll learn exactly what’s inside the program, including step-by-step lessons, business planning templates, 1:1 coaching, biweekly group calls, and a community of like-minded women ready to support your leap from employee to entrepreneur. If you're craving flexibility, fulfillment, and financial freedom, this episode will show you how to make your second act your best one yet.Learn more or enroll now: https://secondactsuccess.co/courseEpisode Takeaways:Why your first career isn’t your final act—and how to pivot with purposeWhat’s included in the Second Act Accelerator (and why it’s priced for accessibility)How this blended learning model combines coaching, courses, and communityReal results and reviews from past clients who made the leap successfullyA mindset reminder that your experience is your superpowerSHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/203---------------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)
Jul 14, 2025 • 35min
Starting a Business as Healing: Medical Professional Suzy Wraines Turned Trauma into Purpose | #202
Is starting a business part of your healing journey? For Suzy Wraines, it absolutely was. In this powerful episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, Suzy shares her inspiring story of how she went from a military medic and veterinary technician to a trauma-informed business coach for medical professionals.Host Shannon Russell talks with Suzy about the emotional toll of transitioning out of healthcare, how unresolved trauma can resurface in entrepreneurship, and why your nervous system plays a surprising role in business success. Suzy also shares how she now empowers nurses, PAs, and therapists to pivot into consulting, coaching, and service-based businesses of their own.Whether you’re a healthcare provider, military veteran, or creative professional feeling the call for something new, this episode is a must-listen.Key Takeaways:How trauma can silently affect your ability to grow a businessWhy entrepreneurship can trigger subconscious fears—and how to work through themTips for transitioning from healthcare to heart-centered businessWhat foundational steps to take when starting a business from scratchHow Suzy runs her business and podcast while living full-time in an RVSHOW NOTES:https://secondactsuccess.co/202Connect with Suzy Wraines:https://www.startingabusinesssimplified.com/podcast startingabusinesssimplified.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)
Jul 7, 2025 • 16min
5 Things To Do Before Starting a Business | #201
Thinking about quitting your 9-5 and launching a business? Before you hand in your resignation letter, this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast is your essential pre-launch checklist. Host Shannon Russell, a career transition coach and former television producer, walks you through the 5 things every woman should do before starting a business.In this powerful episode, you’ll learn how to: ✅ Get clear on your why and purpose ✅ Validate your business idea and target audience ✅ Prepare your personal finances and plan startup costs ✅ Identify your transferable skills and stand out in your niche ✅ Create a smart, strategic exit plan from your corporate jobIf you're a woman ready to transition from employee to entrepreneur, this is the roadmap you need to start strong, save time and money, and build a business that truly lights you up.🎧 Tune in now for the step-by-step clarity you need to confidently move from your job to your dream business!SHOW NOTEShttps://secondactsuccess.co/201--------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)
