Leaving Corporate America to Build a Business on Your Own Terms

What happens when the corporate career you were taught was “safe” no longer feels safe and betting on yourself becomes the more secure choice?

After 25 years in the media industry, Stacey Kauffman left her executive position at a billion-dollar company to build an executive advisory business of her own. Although she had considered entrepreneurship for years, a frightening situation at her daughters’ school became the moment that pushed her to stop waiting and make the leap.

In this episode of Life Changing Money, Stacey shares how she transformed decades of leadership, sales, marketing, and business-growth experience into a successful advisory practice. She explains how she found her first clients, intentionally grew through referrals, and now helps leaders navigate disruption, strengthen operations, refine their business models, and get out of the day-to-day hamster wheel.

Tune in to hear:

Why Stacey no longer viewed a corporate career as the safest option

The personal moment that gave her the courage to leave her executive role

How she turned 25 years of corporate experience into an advisory business

The first steps she took to find clients and generate referrals

How leaders can respond to disruption from technology, AI, tariffs, and changing markets

Why business owners need stronger systems, operations, and decision-making support

The realities of navigating entrepreneurship as a single mother

How divorce changed Stacey’s priorities, identity, and relationship with success