This one's from the heart — raw, unscripted, and long overdue.

In this live edition of Corporate to Calling™, I sat down with my coffee on Substack to talk about what it really means to leave well and lead next. Because around here, we don't burn bridges — we build runways.

I'm sharing lessons from my own journey — from reaching the top 1% in a US Fortune 50 company to building entrepreneurial authority after a layoff that could've ended my story but instead became my launch pad. This isn't just about career transitions; it's about mindset, preparation, and protecting your peace while you rise.

So if you’ve been feeling the shift — that pull to pivot, expand, or lead differently — this episode will remind you that leaving well is just the first move in leading next.

Resources

Pre-order The Beautiful Exit™ Your 6-Week Strategic Roadmap from Corporate Success to Entrepreneurial Authority here: https://www.jrayanicole.com/offers/zv8LPiyC

Get your copy of Choice Destinations — it’s your strategic companion for the pivot you're being called to make. https://www.jrayanicole.com/Choice_Destinations

✨Connect with Host:
Jraya Nicole, Corporate Exit Mentor & Career Strategist, and Author of Choice Destinations

📥hello@jrayanicole.com
🌐jrayanicole.com
📱LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube | Substack | Facebook

00:00 Intro: My Corporate to Calling™ Story
01:09 Why Being Real Builds Authority
02:33 From Fortune 50 to Entrepreneurship
03:40 The Rise of Portfolio Careers
06:29 Planning a Smart Career Exit
08:40 The Beautiful Exit Workbook Launch
09:18 Career & Coffee Live Kickoff
09:48 Final Thoughts & Collaboration Invite

In this episode, I’m sharing how to find your career sweet spot — that intersection between your skills, value, and market demand. I’ll walk you through how to identify what’s working, where your growth edges are, and how to strategically position yourself for the next chapter of your career.

You’ll learn how to bridge skill gaps, leverage your corporate currency, and align your expertise with purpose — so you can build a career that feels good, pays well, and lasts.

Whether you’re preparing for a pivot, exploring entrepreneurship, or simply ready to move with clarity, this episode gives you the tools to move from confusion to confidence.

Resources

Get your copy of Choice Destinations — it’s your strategic companion for the pivot you're being called to make. https://www.jrayanicole.com/Choice_Destinations

🧭A Free Guide: Download the 7-Step LinkedIn Optimization Walkthrough — Align your online presence with your next move in under 30 minutes. https://www.jrayanicole.com/7-step-LinkedIn-Guide

✨Connect with Host:
Jraya Nicole, Corporate Exit Mentor & Career Strategist, and Author of Choice Destinations

📥hello@jrayanicole.com
🌐jrayanicole.com
📱LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube | Substack | Facebook

00:00 Introduction: Finding Your Career Sweet Spot
00:37 Leveraging Your Existing Skills for Career Growth
02:09 Identifying Market Demand and Career Opportunities
04:16 Bridging the Skill Gap for Strategic Advancement
04:54 Defining Your Career Sweet Spot — The Power of Alignment
05:55 Aligning Your Career with Purpose and Fulfillment
07:22 Practical Steps for Building Career Alignment
10:19 Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile for Visibility
10:47 Conclusion and Next Steps for Purpose-Driven Growth

Success shouldn't require constant hustle. If you left corporate only to find yourself working harder than ever—or you're contemplating the leap but worried about burnout—this episode is for you.

In this episode, I'm unpacking the difference between working for yourself and building something that works for you. She breaks down why so many professionals stay in the hustle of self-employment and how to shift toward sustainable entrepreneurship through strategy, structure, and smart positioning.

Whether you’re navigating a pivot, scaling your business, or redefining your next chapter, this conversation will help you move from survival mode to strategic movement — and start playing career offense instead of job defense.

Resources

Get your copy of Choice Destinations — it’s your strategic companion for the pivot you're being called to make. https://www.jrayanicole.com/Choice_Destinations

🧭A Free Guide: Download the 7-Step LinkedIn Optimization Walkthrough — Align your online presence with your next move in under 30 minutes. https://www.jrayanicole.com/7-step-LinkedIn-Guide

✨Connect with Host:
Jraya Nicole, Corporate Exit SMART™ Mentor & Career Strategist, and Author of Choice Destinations

📥hello@jrayanicole.com
🌐jrayanicole.com
📱LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube | Substack | Facebook

00:00 Introduction: The Mindset Shift That Redefines Career Freedom
00:23 Self-Employment vs. Entrepreneurship — Knowing the Real Difference
02:42 Why Self-Employment Feels Heavy: The Hidden Challenges
04:04 From Hustle to Structure: Building a Business That Works for You
07:16 Making the Leap to True Entrepreneurship with Strategy and Systems
12:18 Career Offense vs. Job Defense: How to Stay Positioned for Opportunity
14:29 Closing Thoughts: Your Next Move Deserves a Strategy