“You don’t have to climb the corporate ladder to build a meaningful career.”

In this episode, I sit down with Abby Thompson, founder of Bloom Marketing, to explore her journey from growing up with two hardworking parents to carving her own path across corporate, higher education, and entrepreneurship. We talk about her decade at Rolls Royce, the lessons she learned through international travel and leadership roles, and how an unexpected layoff during COVID opened the door to new opportunities.

Abby also shares what it was like to build a student-run marketing agency at Butler University, the support system that carried her through a difficult career transition, and the bravery it takes to launch your own consulting business. From making Blizzards at Dairy Queen to building marketing foundations for clients, her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power of connection.

This conversation is full of practical wisdom on navigating career pivots, leaning on your network, and building a work life that truly fits the season you’re in.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(00:59) Zigzagging influences and interests growing up

(06:49) Gaining experience at Rolls Royce

(11:39) Work in rebranding Butler University

(14:26) How supportive networks help face career uncertainty

(17:19) Finding new opportunities through connections

(20:33) Launching Bloom Marketing

(22:35) Balancing work and family

(23:24) Exciting projects at Bloom Marketing

(26:07) Put yourself out there to create opportunities

Connect with my guest:

Abby Thompson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbythompson2/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/