All it took was a pandemic.
To set the scene, it’s Q4 2020 amid a global pandemic, and I have just made major changes in my personal life before the dust had even settled there, a previous CEO/mentor contacted me about a new opportunity. He opened the conversation by asking me if I was happy in my current role. I wasn’t exactly unhappy, and the world as a whole was surrounded by uncertainty; even so, I think the exact response I gave to my former mentor was, “I am smart enough to listen when you call me…” The short version of the story from here is that after meeting several members of the team I threw dust into the wind and decided why not just change EVERYTHING in my life and take a new job too! I naively thought this would be a 5(ish) year gig for me, so imagine my surprise when 18 months in the company was sold. As we were working through due diligence and I was considering what the next chapter might be for me, I hired an executive coach to help me think through everything and prepare me for whatever that next step was.
Selling again?
The close date for the company sale comes and goes, and rather than my role being eliminated it was retained to help with the integration, and just 10 months later it was announced the company was selling again. At some point in all of this, I started talking with my coach about the parts of my job that I love and don’t want to give up (developing people; and solving problems). The parts of my job that I would be OK with never doing again (all things payroll), and from this, the conversation of consulting came up… initially, this was just more of a “what if” statement. Having been raised by a female entrepreneur and my sister having owned her own business for several years, perhaps this was in my blood from the beginning, but I had always thought the corporate ladder was what I wanted. I had always set my targets on a salary, a title, an experience and I checked them off as I moved up the ladder, but still had more targets ahead of me.
It started as a joke.
Then, one day, on a call with my family, my sister asked if I had ever thought about working for myself…to which I initially laughed and we threw out ideas and brainstormed, but it was all just “in good fun”. Then something happened and the idea continued to tickle my brain, and I brought it up to my coach, and we began exploring that as an option… and suddenly the “non-negotiable” list of things needed for my next corporate role began to get longer and the idea of starting my consulting firm started taking shape.
The vision turned into reality.
Eventually, as I continued mapping out what I envisioned my future career to look like, on a whim one day I spent a few hundred dollars and registered an LLC because of what it would hurt, and Progress Amplified was born. Talk about timing; it wasn’t a week later that I was at lunch with a friend and was asked if I would be open to HR consulting on the side, which has now turned into my 9-5!
Every experience matters.
I have spent more than 20 years in Corporate America and in HR; I have worked in several different industries (hospitality, manufacturing, printing, consumer goods, data; chemicals, etc), and although I won’t lie and say I have loved every minute of it I can tell you that I wouldn’t trade the stories and experiences I have collected or the people that I’ve met along the way. I am confident that every role, boss, company, project, implementation, and challenge has prepared me for the next chapter.
Seize opportunities.
And as I hum along to the tune of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” I invite you to embrace change, seize opportunities, and embark on this adventure with me. Because in the end, it’s not just about the destination – it’s about the journey, the lessons learned, and the stories shared along the way.
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About The Author
Michaela is a seasoned human resources executive with over two decades of experience, known for her exceptional track record in developing and implementing strategic HR initiatives that fuel organizational growth and elevate business profitability. Renowned as a collaborative business partner, trusted advisor, and adept leader, Michaela brings extensive expertise, strategic foresight, and proven leadership acumen to every endeavor. Committed to cultivating individuals and organizations to their utmost potential, she plays a pivotal role in driving excellence and ensuring organizational success.
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