How He Escaped Corporate and Built Freedom on His Own Terms
In this episode of Quit the Quota, Darryl Miedico and Marya Ryan sit down with Kyle Welch to unpack his journey from high-performing corporate sales leader to full-time entrepreneur. After spending 20 years in telecom, tech, and cybersecurity sales, Kyle found himself facing a major turning point when layoffs forced him to reconsider what security, freedom, and success really meant.
What started as curiosity around short-term rentals quickly turned into a complete mindset shift. Kyle shares how he went all in on building his own business after years of relying on the “security” of corporate America, despite the fear, uncertainty, and pressure that came with it. The conversation dives into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, including the stress on relationships, the doubt that creeps in during the early stages, and why mindset work became the key factor that helped him push through difficult moments when nothing seemed to be working.
Throughout the episode, Kyle breaks down how meditation, visualization, and studying mindset principles completely changed the trajectory of his life. He shares the story of landing his first client with zero experience, how referrals eventually snowballed into rapid growth, and the unbelievable opportunity that recently “fell into his lap” after building trust and relationships the right way. Darryl and Marya also explore the illusion of corporate security, why sales skills translate directly into entrepreneurship, and how taking ownership of your future creates a completely different level of freedom.
Tune in now to hear how Kyle transformed a layoff into the beginning of a completely new life—and why betting on yourself may be less risky than staying where you are.
Timestamps:
02:07 – Introducing guest Kyle Welch
05:01 – Kyle’s 20-year career in telecom, tech, and cybersecurity sales
06:48 – The layoff that changed everything
07:54 – Reaching out to Darryl after selling an investment property
09:39 – Going all in and walking away from corporate for good
11:01 – Why most people “tiptoe” into entrepreneurship
11:49 – The brutal reality of finding your first client
12:57 – The mindset work that changed everything
16:45 – The meditation habit that helped him push through uncertainty
22:40 – Why meditation used to sound “weird” to Kyle
24:25 – Revisiting old meditations and seeing personal growth
27:26 – Building a “coaching tree” that impacts other people’s lives
30:16 – Why getting laid off was actually a blessing in disguise
31:36 – “Security” in corporate America isn’t actually secure
33:39 – The reality of never truly feeling safe in sales roles
35:35 – The biggest risk: ending up exactly where you started
38:05 – Why sales skills directly translate into entrepreneurship
39:48 – Kyle’s first entrepreneurial business before corporate
41:48 – Realizing entrepreneurship was always “in his blood”
42:49 – The story of a $50K/year Airbnb opportunity falling into his lap
47:17 – The Big Bear property opportunity that changed everything
49:55 – Why “luck” is actually preparation, persistence, and mindset
51:24 – Overcoming the fear of having “no credibility” in the beginning
58:02 – Visualizing successful outcomes before every call
59:05 – Why mindset became the true “secret sauce”
59:31 – “I’d probably be a CEO somewhere right now”
01:04:28 – Why people should change before an emotional event forces them to
01:05:18 – Kyle’s final advice: “Don’t quit.”
Connect with the Host and Guest
Darryl Miedico
Email: quitthequota@gmail.com
Website: www.quitthequota.com
Instagram: @quitthequota
Facebook: Quit the Quota
Marya Ryan
Email: quitthequota@gmail.com
Website: www.quitthequota.com
Instagram:@quitthequota
Facebook: Quit the Quota
Kyle Welch
Website: www.freedombnb.net
#QuitTheQuota #EntrepreneurMindset #CorporateLife #W2ToFreedom #MindsetShift #ShortTermRental #AirbnbBusiness #SalesLeadership #PersonalGrowth
