The Corporate Escapee: On a Mission to Help 10,000 GenXers Escape the 9-5 Grind‪!‬ Brett Trainor

SummaryIn this episode of The Corporate Escapee I was a guest on the Lee Ann Pepper's Class Reunion Podcast recently and she was kind enough to allow me to share the discussion with my audience. I shared my journey from corporate America to becoming a corporate escapee. We discuss the challenges faced by GenXers in the corporate world, the rise of ageism, and the need for alternative career paths. I share my insights on fractional jobs and how they offer flexibility and freedom outside of the traditional corporate structure. I also talk about the importance of finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health. The conversation highlights the need for GenXers to explore new possibilities and embrace a different approach to work.
Key Links:Class Reunion YouTube Channel:Class Reunion Podcast: 
Takeaways
GenXers in corporate America are facing challenges such as ageism and limited career advancement opportunities.Fractional jobs offer a flexible alternative to traditional full-time corporate positions.Finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health are important considerations when exploring new career paths.There are opportunities to monetize corporate experience and find fulfillment outside of the corporate structure.Exploring new possibilities and being open to change can lead to a more fulfilling and enjoyable career.Titles
Embracing Flexibility and Freedom with Fractional JobsNavigating the Challenges of Corporate America as a GenXerSound Bites
"There are opportunities to monetize corporate experience and find fulfillment outside of the corporate structure.""Finding balance and prioritizing mental and physical health are important considerations when exploring new career paths.""Fractional jobs offer a flexible alternative to traditional full-time corporate positions."

Today, we have a very unique guest, Jesse Cole is the owner of the baseball team, Savannah Bananas. And I believe he has the blueprint for Escapees (& businesses) to stand out and separate themselves from the crowd.

When different is better than better, you want to make sure you are highlighting what makes you YOU. 

Get to know this passionate entrepreneur and learn what it takes for your startup to stand out.

We’ll talk about:
How Jesse is changing baseball through differentiation [01:12]Constraints force creativity, but you learn by doing [05:19]The blueprint for becoming the ONLY [08:10]Own the problems [08:37]Create Noise [09:26]The 3 Loves [09:55]Why do you do what you do [10:53]Different is better than better [14:01]Make sure you develop raving fans [17:01]Why you should create the ‘Wow’ factor [19:41]Focus on what you can control [24:43]What else Jesse is thinking about next [26:58]You have to keep pushing forward & do new things [29:40]Set aside time to think about the future [30:45]The one thing Jesse recommends [33:24]Resource Links:The Savannah Bananas Website (https://thesavannahbananas.com/)
About Our Guest:
Jesse Cole owns the baseball team, Savannah Bananas, which has currently sold out 32 straight games and has a waitlist in the thousands for tickets.

Jesse is also the author of "Find Your Yellow Tux - How to Be Successful by Standing Out,” and the host of the Business Done Differently Podcast.

Jesse believes to be successful you need to Stand Out and Be Different. He is passionate about creating attention, loving your customers more than your product, and loving your employees more than your customers.

Get in touch with Jesse through his LinkedIn.

If you liked this episode, please don’t forget to tune in, subscribe, and share this podcast. 

In this conversation, Ethan Bull shares his journey of building Pro Assisting, a fractional executive assistant service agency, with his wife. They started the business in 2018 after leaving their corporate jobs. Ethan discusses the challenges they faced in finding their first clients and the importance of having a financial plan and resources before starting a business. He also highlights the benefits of fractional support and services for small and medium-sized businesses. Additionally, Ethan talks about the healthcare considerations and options for entrepreneurs, particularly in New York State. In this conversation, Ethan Bull discusses the role of executive assistants in the fractional space and the benefits of building a network of fractional C-suite executives. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consistent flow of new prospects while also building long-term relationships with clients. Bull also highlights the value of being a two-sided marketplace and the benefits of working with independent contractors. He shares insights on the chief of staff role and the unique support that executive assistants can provide to both billionaires and solopreneurs. Bull concludes by offering advice on networking, taking risks, and the compounding nature of small tasks in business.
Ethan's Website: https://www.proassisting.com/
Takeaways
Ethan Bull and his wife run Pro Assisting, a fractional executive assistant service agency with 30 assistants and 60 clients across the country.They started the business in 2018 after leaving their corporate jobs and used various tactics to find their first clients, including leveraging their network and using LinkedIn.Having a financial plan and resources, such as a six to nine-month runway, is crucial before starting a business.Fractional support and services provide flexibility and cost savings for small and medium-sized businesses.Healthcare considerations for entrepreneurs vary by state, and it's important to research and understand the options available.Ethan and his wife started the Pro Assisting Academy in 2023 to help career-minded executive assistants future-proof their careers. The term 'executive assistant' in the fractional space can encompass various roles, including business partner, chief of staff, project manager, assistant/scheduler, and personal assistant.Building a network of fractional C-suite executives can be beneficial for sharing prospects and maintaining a consistent flow of new leads.Working as a two-sided marketplace, where assistants are compensated appropriately and have the opportunity to start their own businesses, can provide security and balance.Executive assistants can provide valuable support to both billionaires and solopreneurs, offering a range of services tailored to their specific needs.Networking, taking risks, and consistently performing small tasks can contribute to the success of a solopreneur or business owner in the fractional space.

In this episode, Brett Traynor shares a five-step plan to help listeners find their first customer while still working in a corporate job. He emphasizes the importance of having a second income stream and diversifying risk. The steps include checking your employment agreement, identifying the problem you will be solving, identifying your initial target market, reviewing and prioritizing your network, and developing your messaging, positioning, and initial offer. Brett also highlights the value of asking for advice and using the 20-10 strategy to engage potential customers. He encourages listeners to take action and learn from their mistakes.
Takeaways
Finding your first customer while still in a corporate job can provide a second income stream and help diversify risk.Check your employment agreement to ensure there are no conflicts of interest.Identify the problem you will be solving and focus on a specific target market.Review and prioritize your network to find potential customers or connections.Develop your messaging, positioning, and initial offer to engage potential customers.Ask for advice and use the 20-10 strategy to have valuable conversations with your network.Take action and learn from your mistakes to gain confidence and understanding in your offering. 

This episode outlines the six stages of the escapee journey for GenXers stuck in corporate and provides guidance on how to get unstuck at each stage. The stages are: awareness, pre-escape (curious, interested, fearful), taking action, learn and earn, grow, control and freedom. The ultimate goal is to reach stage six, where one has the confidence and freedom to pursue their own path. The conversation emphasizes the importance of taking action, testing, and learning, as well as seeking support from communities of like-minded individuals.
TakeawaysThere are many GenXers stuck in corporate who are unaware of their options or unsure of how to get started on a new path.
The six stages of the escapee journey are: awareness, pre-escape (curious, interested, fearful), taking action, learn and earn, grow, and control and freedom.Taking action is crucial for progress and success. It separates those who stay in corporate from those who pursue their own path.Joining a community of like-minded individuals can provide support, resources, and opportunities for collaboration.

SummaryIn this episode, Michael Haynes shares insights and guidance on how corporate escapees can build their own B2B professional service practice. He emphasizes the importance of expertise and the need to deliver advice, insights, and recommendations to clients. Haynes highlights the significance of listening and researching the market to understand target industries, customers, and decision-makers. He recommends becoming visible in the target market by leveraging professional associations and collaborating with thought leaders. Additionally, Haynes discusses the process of finding the first customer and suggests testing strategies before fully committing. In this conversation, Michael Haynes shares insights on building a professional services business. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your focus and strengths, as well as determining your target market. Building a strong network and referral engine is crucial for acquiring clients. Michael also highlights the significance of creating a content strategy and being visible where your target audience seeks information. Transitioning to sales involves understanding the challenges and priorities of your prospects and building a mutual action plan. Micro events, such as roundtables and forums, can be effective in engaging with prospects and providing value. Finally, Michael emphasizes the need for clarity and a buyer-driven approach when building and growing a professional services practice.
Takeaways
Corporate escapees have massive opportunities to build their own B2B professional service practice.Delivering advice, insights, and recommendations based on expertise is crucial in the B2B professional services industry.Listening and researching the market helps in understanding target industries, customers, and decision-makers.Becoming visible in the target market through professional associations and collaborations with thought leaders is essential for success.Testing strategies before fully committing can help corporate escapees find their first customer and refine their approach. Understand your strengths and determine your focus in order to build a successful professional services business.Build a strong network and referral engine to acquire clients.Create a content strategy and be visible where your target audience seeks information.Transition to sales by understanding the challenges and priorities of your prospects and building a mutual action plan.Engage with prospects through micro events, such as roundtables and forums, to provide value and unlock conversations.Maintain clarity and a buyer-driven approach when building and growing a professional services practice.Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:27 Opportunities for Corporate Escapees
03:04 The Importance of Expertise in B2B Professional Services
04:00 First Steps for Building a Professional Service Business
06:06 The AIR Framework: Advice, Insights, and Recommendations
07:39 Listening and Researching the Market
11:21 Finding the Sweet Spot and Targeting Customers
18:06 Next Steps: Visibility and Becoming Referable
20:36 Becoming Visible in the Target Market
21:04 Finding the First Customer and Testing Strategies
21:18 Understanding Your Focus
23:34 Building Your Network and Referral Engine
26:27 Creating a Content Strategy
29:15 Transitioning to Sales and Discovery Meetings
32:44 Micro Events and Engagement
41:06 Considering the Path of Building a Professional Services Business