Entrepreneurship is more than just a career choice; it's a spiritual journey that demands vulnerability, resilience, and a complete shift in mindset. In this episode, I sit down with Deb Boulanger, the inspiring CEO of Life After Corporate and founder of The Launch Lab for Women Entrepreneurs. Together, we dive deep into the emotional and psychological challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly women transitioning from corporate life.
Deb’s story, takes us from her beginnings as a special education teacher to smashing glass ceilings at Gartner and ultimately becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur. We dive deep into the importance of investing in entrepreneurial education, the psychological hurdles of success, fear of failure, and the transformative power of community and mentorship.
This conversation is not just about business strategies; it's about embracing a holistic approach that intertwines professional growth with spiritual and personal development.
About Deb Boulanger:
Debra Boulanger is the CEO of Life After Corporate and the founder of The Launch Lab for women entrepreneurs, the Reliable Revenue Mastermind, and host of the Life After Corporate podcast. She helps smart, accomplished women leaders make the leap from Corporate to entrepreneurship.
Over the last 20 years, Deb has launched dozens of services that generated hundreds of millions in revenue for her clients and launched and grew a single division at Gartner, Inc. from 0 to $32 Million in 30 months. She has taught and advised hundreds of new and aspiring women entrepreneurs to use these proven strategies to test their business ideas and validate their money-making model.
Key Takeaways:
Overcoming Guilt and Shame in Entrepreneurship
The Pitfalls of Fake Progress
Understanding the Worthiness Wound
Fear of Success
Balancing Spirituality and Analytical Thinking
Show Notes:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Struggles
02:19 Guest Introduction: Deb Boulanger
05:30 Deb's Early Career and Challenges
11:01 Transition to Entrepreneurship
13:38 The Role of Meditation and Self-Discovery
18:27 Building a Business and Overcoming Fears
23:58 The Number One Mistake Women Make in Entrepreneurship
24:37 The Importance of Setting Realistic Expectations
25:55 The Dangers of Corporate Trauma in Entrepreneurship
26:15 Avoiding Fake Progress in Your Business
32:43 The Psychological Challenges of Pricing
35:11 The Great Boomerang: Returning to Corporate
39:54 Overcoming Fear of Success
45:44 Balancing Spirituality and Analytics in Business
47:51 Final Thoughts and Resources
Referenced:
Life After Corporate Podcast: https://lifeaftercorporatepodcast.com/
The Launch Lab for Women Entrepreneurs: https://thegreatdoover.com/launch-lab/
Lean In and McKinsey, Women in the Workplace Report 2022: The Great Breakup: https://leanin.org/women-in-the-workplace/2022
Women in the workplace: Breaking up to break through (McKinsey): https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace-breaking-up-to-break-through
The Artist’s Way: https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/
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