For the corporate leader starting anew

Going solo means letting go of the stability you once knew. It’s a chance to face the pressure, redefine what work means, and discover what you’re truly capable of, on your own terms.

Today, I’m writing for those who’ve made a courageous decision. Whether you left your corporate role to pursue a new chapter, or found yourself navigating a layoff, you’re stepping into something different—and that takes bravery.

Each week, I speak with leaders like you—executives, managers, decision-makers now taking on the challenge of working independently. This shift can feel exciting, but it comes with questions, risks, and challenges that aren’t often talked about. Here are a few reflections from conversations with others making this leap. Maybe some of these will feel familiar.

Photo by Pau Casals on Unsplash

1. Navigating the loss of financial stability

The financial change is immediate and profound. You go from a steady paycheck to a fluctuating income, and it can feel like treading water without the comfort of knowing when the next wave will roll in.

You may have been used to a six-figure salary or more, and now you’re managing cash flow in a completely new way. It’s normal to feel the weight of that uncertainty, especially if your life, responsibilities, and expectations were shaped around that previous stability.

2. Rebuilding your identity

Your corporate title and structure used to tell the world who you were. Now, without that definition, it’s easy to feel adrift. You’re the face of your own brand, stepping into the light with your own name.

You’re not just proving your skills anymore—you’re finding your voice and positioning yourself in a crowded market. That’s a steep learning curve for anyone, especially if visibility or self-promotion is new to you.

But it’s also a chance to ask, “What do I stand for?” and share that with the world in a way that feels true to you. Imagine your kids asking, What did you do when you knew about the climate crisis? This is a moment to answer with the impact you’re creating.

Many I speak to love the freedom of being there for their kids, but also feel the weight of building a profitable business and the pressure that comes with it.

3. Learning to bring in business

Leading teams is one thing; bringing in business is something else entirely. Now, you’re learning to reach clients, build relationships, and stay visible—tasks that might have been handled by others before. The energy it takes to build your own pipeline, to be present, to be remembered…it’s a different kind of work.

It’s normal to feel stretched thin between getting business and doing the work itself. But if you pace yourself and lean into systems, you’ll find ways to connect authentically with clients, one relationship at a time.

4. The challenge (and freedom) of working solo

Maybe it’s that quiet you weren’t expecting or the missing camaraderie of a team. In corporate life, there’s infrastructure—a safety net of resources, people, and systems. Now, it’s just you, handling operations, marketing, client work—everything.

While this can feel isolating, it’s also a chance to rethink how you work, to experiment with tools that lighten the load. No-code platforms, AI, automation—the business world has evolved, and so can you.
Independence can mean freedom if you let it.

5. Expectations and the urgency to succeed

For many of you, success has come relatively easily in the past. You were high performers. Now, you’re a beginner again, navigating unfamiliar territory—which can bring up deep feelings of self-doubt.

There’s also external pressure—whether it’s maintaining a certain lifestyle, supporting a family, or feeling the eyes of your peers watching how you handle this shift. For some, this adds urgency, especially if traditional roles like "provider" come into play.

Many find themselves pulled in multiple directions. Some leaders try to keep a foot in both worlds, applying for jobs while growing their venture. This can create mental strain and dilute focus.

Some turn to fractional roles, carrying a version of their old job into consulting. Fractional work can offer stability, but it might make you wonder if there’s something more you’d like to bring into the world through this next chapter—a business that expresses the change you want to see.

Pause to recognize this moment

Before you move forward, take a moment to recognize what you’re going through. This transition isn’t easy. You’re rebuilding from a place of strength but also a place of loss—loss of status, of security, of a familiar structure. And yet, here you are, taking the leap. That’s something to be proud of.

Gift yourself permission to dream. What do you want in the long run? People who’ve walked this path say that if you can make it through the first year, things become clearer. This is your chance to embrace the path you’ve chosen fully. Trust that if you lean into it, you will find a way to make it work.

And if you’re ever in need of support, know that I’m here.

You don’t have to go through this transition alone.

Lastly, if you’re still in your corporate role, dreaming of making this leap, I highly recommend Corporate Escapology by Adam Forbes—a great read for anyone contemplating the jump.

Take care of yourself, and take pride in this bold move.

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Behind the scenes at IMMA

• It’s inspiring to see Seed members launching their ventures out in the open! Antonella Bortolato is channeling her sustainability expertise into waste reduction and prevention, and Mirona Nicola just started a witty newsletter, Free Falling in Public, sharing her freelancer journey and taking her comms wizardry to a new level.

• This week we welcomed Sara Moosmair as an intern at IMMA Collective together we will dive deeper into designing transformative journeys for our members. 🚀

• We redesigned our Explore IMMA sessions into a free workshop that allows you to explore where you are, where you want to go and what is holding you back. Join us for the next ones.

If you want to work for yourself but not by yourself, consider joining IMMA Collective.
We offer two paths:

🌱 Seed for those who want a guided journey to design and launch their offering and 🪴 Nature for those who want a peer-support community to proactively go after the work and clients that align with your values.