In this episode of The Career Compass, Alisha shares a powerful and personal story about transitioning from a stable federal career to full-time entrepreneurship after an unexpected contract non-renewal. Discover how moments of uncertainty can become opportunities for growth and self-discovery.

This episode explores the emotional and professional journey of rebuilding confidence, embracing risk, and finding purpose beyond traditional employment. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot, starting your own business, or searching for direction, these lessons will inspire you to move forward—even when the path isn’t clear.

Key Takeaways:

• Do It Scared: Take action even when fear is present. Growth requires courage.
• Embrace the Journey: Stay flexible and committed—entrepreneurship is constant learning.
• You Can’t Do It Alone: Build a strong network and lean on mentors and peers.
• If It Wasn’t Meant for You, It Wouldn’t Be Yours: Trust your path and stay true to your purpose.

Plus:

• Tips on self-development for emerging leaders.
• How to stay connected to your field through part-time or contract work.
• A preview of Season 3, featuring veteran entrepreneurs sharing their insights and success stories.

Follow & Connect:

Stay inspired and get updates on new episodes by following @thecareercompasspodcast on Instagram.

Listen & Subscribe:

Subscribe to The Career Compass on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!

This episode explores how to embrace change, lean on support systems, and find purpose after job loss.

Learn practical steps for staying grounded from filing for unemployment and managing finances to reframing setbacks and reigniting entrepreneurial goals. Drawing on 25 years in HR, military, and federal service, Alisha offers real-world resilience and hope for anyone facing career transitions.

💬 Call to Action: Need support or fresh ideas? Schedule a free 20-minute chat to talk through your next steps.

(Hope, purpose, and strength are closer than you think.)

When life throws you a curveball, how do you bounce back? In this inspiring episode of The Career Compass, Alisha shares how losing her federal contract became the spark that launched her into full-time entrepreneurship.

You’ll discover:

• How to turn unemployment into opportunity
• The 3 key steps Alicia took to rebuild:
• 1️⃣ Partnering with a SCORE mentor
• 2️⃣ Refining her business plan
• 3️⃣ Building a strong support network
• Tips for balancing career and entrepreneurship
• Why authentic leadership matters

Resources Mentioned:

• SCORE Mentors – sba.gov
• Instagram – @thecareercompasspodcast

Next Up:

Alisha will be diving into stories from veteran entrepreneurs and practical advice for transitioning from uniform to business ownership.

💬 Follow, rate, and review The Career Compass Podcast — your support helps us inspire more career changers and entrepreneurs!