Hey Fiorella,
So last night I posted something on LinkedIn about reorganization emails versus running your own business.
Got a few inbox messages on that. (Yikes!)
One message stopped me mid-coffee this morning: "I literally had my Sunday scaries ritual - wine, Netflix, and pretending tomorrow isn't coming. Your post felt like you were watching me through my laptop camera."
(I wasn't, promise. But I've been there. Wine included.)
Here's the thing - if you spent any part of last night doing that mental math we all do... You know the one: "Only X more years until..." or "If I can just make it through this quarter..." or my personal favorite from my corporate days, "Maybe the next reorg will make things better" (Spoiler: it won't).
You're not dramatic. You're not ungrateful. You're just done pretending that being successful at something that drains you is actual success.
Can we get real for a minute?
I was having lunch with a client last week (shoutout to overpriced salads that we expense "because we deserve something nice"). She goes: "Fia, I did the math. Every month I wait to start my business costs me about $30K."
I nearly choked on my $18 kale situation.
But then she explained: "Not in salary. In the business I'm NOT building. The clients I'm NOT serving. The life I'm NOT living."
Oof. That is life math.
Because here's what we do, right? We perfect presentations for strategies we don't believe in. We navigate politics that feel like middle school all over again. We lead teams through changes that we know make zero sense.
And our own ideas? They're sitting in that notebook. You know the one. Mine was purple. Had all my "when I finally..." dreams in it.
The plot twist nobody tells you
Those skills you're using to manage that impossible stakeholder who changes requirements every five seconds?
That's actually your future superpower for handling client work.
That merger you're navigating while keeping everyone from losing their minds? That's exactly the strategic thinking
that will make your business bulletproof.
That team you're holding together with duct tape and sheer will? Those leadership skills are why your future clients
will pay premium prices.
You don't need to learn how to business. You've been running someone else's business. You just haven't been
getting the equity.
So here's what I'm doing
I'm working with exactly TWO people between October 1, 2025 and March 31st, 2026. Not twenty. Not ten. Two.
Why? Because this isn't some course where I send you videos and wish you luck. This is me, you, and building your bridge while you're still walking on it. It's the voice notes when you're freaking out. The morning breakthrough
sessions. The "holy shit I just got my first client" celebration calls.
Real talk about what this journey looks like:
October: We figure out what you actually want. Not what sounds good at dinner parties. Not what your LinkedIn
would approve of. What YOU want. (This takes longer than you think because we've gotten really good at wanting
what we're supposed to want.)
November: You'll write your offer seventeen times. I'll tell you version three was fine. You'll ignore me and keep perfecting. We'll ship version eight and it'll work.
December: First real conversations with potential clients. You'll over-prepare, under-price, and probably text me after like "Did I just blow that?" (You didn't. You were great.)
January: Something shifts. Maybe it's your first yes. Maybe it's your fifth no but you realize nos don't actually kill you.
The bridge starts feeling real.
February: You're juggling your day job and your night business and somehow you feel more energized than you have
in years. Tired but alive beats rested but dead inside every time.
March: You give notice. Not with a dream and fingers crossed. With clients. Revenue. Evidence. And a me in your
corner reminding you that you've got this.
The investment conversation
Look, I'm not going to pretend this is cheap. It's not. It's a significant investment.
But you know what else is significant? Another year of Sunday nights dreading Monday. Another bonus cycle that golden-handcuffs you to a life that looks good on paper but feels like wearing shoes two sizes too small.
One of my clients said it best: "I spent more on therapy to deal with my job than I spent on mentoring to leave it."
(She's building her own startup now. Sleeps like a baby on Sunday nights.)
The two types of people still reading
- The "this sounds amazing but maybe next year" people (I see you, I was you, next year will be the same)
- The "something just clicked and I know it's time" people
If you're number 2, hit reply with "March 31st" and let's have a real conversation. Not a pushy sales call. Not a generic strategy session where I tell you to "follow your passion" (you don't need that).
A real conversation between two humans who know that life's too short to spend it building someone else's dream.
Two spots. Six months. Your bridge to what's next.
Talk soon?
Fia
P.S. - Yes, you're scared. Yes, it's a lot of money. Yes, you might fail. But honestly? You're already failing at being happy where you are. Might as well fail forward toward something that could actually work.
P.P.S. I know firsthand that timing is everything when it comes to transformation. If now isn't your moment, that's perfectly okay - but I'd still love to stay connected through my newsletter for when the timing feels right or catch up over a virtual coffee chat.
