What I Learned in My First Year Out of Corporate (The Real Truth)

One year ago, I closed my corporate laptop for the last time—and I wasn’t sure whether to expect confetti or pure chaos or maybe a sudden lightning bolt of clarity about what was next.

What actually happened?

Whether you’re standing at the edge of your own “should I leave?” moment or you're just craving more purpose in the work you're doing… I want to share the reflections, surprises, and mindset shifts from my first year out of corporate life. Not the highlight reel. The actual, raw, lay-it-all-on-the-table.

The intention is to help educate, inspire, and encourage you through whatever journey you may be walking through too. Because what’s possible in a year?

So much more than you think. (So read below, or check out the full video on YouTube or wherever you catch your podcasts)

💡 What I Thought Would Happen… vs. What Actually Did

I thought leaving would mean:

• Losing friendships

• Financial chaos

• Starting from zero

• Hustling harder than ever

• Losing my identity without a title

But here’s what actually happened:

✅ Some relationships faded—but only the ones that had already run their course

✅ We got smarter with our finances and created more freedom, not less

✅ I realized I wasn’t starting from scratch—I was starting from experience

✅ My days became fuller, not harder—more aligned, not more exhausting

✅ And my identity? It’s never been clearer

🧠 The Mindset Shifts That Changed Everything

Over the past year, I had to let go of corporate conditioning and step into something deeper:

1. Obedient Surrender

   I stopped waiting to understand the entire plan and started moving in faith.

   
   

2. Redefining Success

   I realized I get to define what “enough” looks like—and that changes everything.

   
   

3. Curiosity Over Control

   Asking better questions (of myself and others) led to breakthroughs I couldn’t force.

   
   

4. Flying Solo Isn’t Forever

   I miss having a team—but this season is teaching me to build from the inside out.

   
   

5. Faith Doesn’t Require Full Clarity

   You don’t need to see the whole staircase. You just need to take the next step.

⏳ Where I Wasted Time (So You Don’t Have To)

If I could sit down with the version of me from one year ago, I’d gently—but firmly—say:

“Stop getting in your own way.”

Here’s how I wasted time in my first year out of corporate, and what I’d do differently:

1. I played small when I should’ve owned my experience.

I told myself I was “starting from scratch”—but I wasn’t. I was starting from 15+ years of experience leading teams, building initiatives, and solving real business problems.

But I let fear convince me that I had to be humble… almost too humble. I didn’t own the credibility I already had in a new space.

What I’d do differently:

I would’ve confidently built from experience instead of shrinking back in the name of being a “beginner.” You don’t have to dim your light to start something new.

2. I built before I validated.

I spent weeks creating a full-blown webinar on the topic of burnout. The slide deck? Gorgeous. The framework? Solid. The problem? No one asked for it.

When I finally had real conversations with real people, I discovered what they were craving: help launching their own purpose-driven businesses (just like what I was doing).

What I’d do differently:

Validate first. Build second.

Talk to the people you want to serve. Ask them what they’re struggling with, what they’d pay for, and what they’re already Googling at 2am.

3. I avoided picking a lane.

I resisted the idea of niching down because I didn’t want to leave anyone out. I was proud of being versatile. I didn’t want to get bored. I wanted to serve everyone.

But when you try to serve everyone, your message becomes so fuzzy that no one really hears you. The moment I picked a clear focus, everything—content, offers, communication—became easier and more effective.

What I’d do differently:

4. I let lack of structure slow me down.

Corporate gave me calendars, meetings, deliverables, and deadlines. Entrepreneurship, at first, gave me… the back-patio and an endless to-do list. For the first few months, I lacked routine, and it showed in my output.

What I’d do differently:

Treat your dream like the job you’re building it to be. Set real work hours. Time-block your weeks. Reflect and reset regularly. (For me, it was Friday afternoon CEO hours that finally made the difference.)

5. I said “yes” to everything, because I lacked the direction in what I wanted to build.

I believed that I had to accept every opportunity, collaboration, event, and invitation—because I didn’t want to miss out or close the wrong door.

But saying “yes” to everything meant I stretched myself thin, lost focus, and sometimes said “no” to the things that really mattered—like creative rest or intentional strategy.

What I’d do differently:

💥 What Surprised Me Most

Honestly?

How many people are building businesses without knowing what good business actually looks like.

I’m not saying it to throw shade. I say it because I was shocked at how many “businesses” lacked the basics: people care, delivery follow-through, and genuine service.

We don’t need flashy—we need follow-through.

We need heart.

We need to overdeliver on the things we promise.

That, my friend, is good business.

🌱 What’s Actually Possible in One Year?

Let’s get specific.

• 30 days after I left, I signed a book deal.

• 3 months later, I launched the Unjuggle the Struggle podcast. (And we're about to hit 2000 listens after 9 months of weekly releases!)

• 6 months in, I started sharing my story from public stages. #speaker

• 8 months in, I became a Best-Selling Author.

• By month 12, I had built a personal brand, launched a business, and started helping others do the same.

And no—I didn’t have it all figured out before I started.

But I did have the willingness to trust the next step, and to keep showing up.

✨ What This Means for You

If you’re reading this and feeling that whisper—the one that says “there has to be more”—I want you to hear this loud and clear:

You are not starting from scratch.

You are starting from experience, wisdom, strength, and purpose.

You got this.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re ready to start building your purpose-driven business the right way—without figuring it out alone—I’ve got something for you.

✨ The Purpose-Driven Business Launchpad: A proven, step-by-step framework to go from idea → validation → ready-for-clients business. (Yes, even if you’re still working full-time.)

Let’s make your next year the one where everything starts to align.

🎧 Tune into the full 2-part episode of the Unjuggle the Struggle podcast:

→ “What I Learned in My First Year Out of Corporate (The Real Truth)”

Listen to Part I for the first mindset shift that changed everything, and Part II for the four shifts that followed, plus the real-time business lessons I wish I had known sooner.

Still wondering what your first step should be?

Let’s Chat! Complete an Inquiry here and we’ll connect!

You’re made for more—let’s explore what that looks like, together. 💛 I'd love to hear about the possibilities you're ready to explore! Email me directly at brittney@brittneytollinchi.com

Still looking for more clarity on this topic? I've got a free 3min quiz for you right here! Take the quiz to learn if the signs are saying you're ready for more, just in a season of exploration, or if a big move isn't what you need right now. Access it here!