Career Pivots - From Corporate Burnout to Consulting Freedom

Career Pivots - From Corporate Burnout to Consulting Freedom

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Holly Knoll, founder of The Consultant Code and host of The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast. Holly shares a raw and honest look at what it actually takes to build a career on your own terms. After starting her career at Accenture and working her way through major companies like Target Corporation, Sephora, and Taco Bell, Holly found herself in a breaking-point moment that forced her to rethink everything. Getting fired from a role that was never the right fit became the unexpected catalyst for building her own consulting business...one that’s now evolved into a thriving recruiting and placement firm in the tech space. Along the way, Holly opens up about navigating male-dominated industries, burnout, starting over (more than once), and what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes. At the heart of this conversation is a simple truth that success isn’t linear and sometimes the hardest moments are the ones that push you exactly where you’re meant to go. In this episode, we talk about: * A spring-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (and why worms deserve more credit than we think) * What a consultant actually does and why the term is so misunderstood * Holly’s early career in tech and project management * Navigating leadership as a woman in male-dominated spaces * The moment she knew a job wasn’t the right fit and what happened next * Getting fired and using it as fuel to start her own business * The reality of entrepreneurship: risk, uncertainty, and resilience * How mindset, energy, and alignment play a role in business growth * Surviving the pandemic as a business owner (and starting over again) * Pivoting from solo consulting to building a recruiting and placement firm * Why freedom is a driving force behind entrepreneurship Connect with Holly: Podcast: The Everyday Entrepreneur Podcast [https://www.hollyknoll.com/the-everyday-entrepreneur-podcast] Instagram: @hollyknoll [https://www.instagram.com/hollyknoll/] Connect with Grit, Grace, Growth: Email: support@gritgracegrowth.com [support@gritgracegrowth.com] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that success doesn’t have to be a straight line to still be the right one.

How Unconventional Plans Help Us Lead With Purpose

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Olivia McGraw, a wealth strategist with Unbridled Wealth whose story is anything but conventional. Olivia shares a powerful and wide-ranging journey that spans military college, international humanitarian work, and a complete career pivot into financial strategy. From attending The Citadel (one of the first generations of women navigating its male-dominated culture) to living in East Africa during and after periods of conflict, Olivia’s experiences have shaped a deeply resilient and purpose-driven perspective on life. After years working in the nonprofit sector and living abroad in places like Burundi and Rwanda, Olivia eventually found her way into the financial world in an unexpected way. What began as curiosity turned into a passion for helping others create long-term financial freedom through strategic planning and education. At the heart of this conversation is a theme of trust—trusting the process, trusting your path even when it doesn’t make sense, and allowing life’s detours to shape something greater than you originally imagined. In this episode, we talk about: * A WrestleMania-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” (with some surprising celebrity trivia) * Olivia’s experience attending The Citadel and navigating a male-dominated environment * Living and working in East Africa * Lessons learned from poverty, resilience, and global perspective * Transitioning from nonprofit work into the financial sector * What it means to become a wealth strategist and help others build financial freedom * The concept behind “infinite banking” and alternative financial strategies * The importance of trusting the process (even when you don’t have a clear plan) * Building a life driven by purpose, adaptability, and growth Connect with Olivia: Visit: https://unbridledwealth.com/ [https://unbridledwealth.com/] Connect with Grit, Grace, Growth: Email: support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com [support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.

Rebuilding From Nothing: What It's Like to Start Over

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Monica Sample, global real estate advisor, team leader of the Monica Sample Group, and a woman whose story is the definition of "resilience". Monica shares a deeply personal journey marked by reinvention and perseverance. From growing up between Washington State and Pittsburgh, to battling addiction as a young mother and making the life-changing decision to move with nothing but her daughter and a duffel bag, Monica opens up about the moments that reshaped her life forever. She reflects on the courage it took to rebuild from rock bottom, the support of her family, and how motherhood became the catalyst for change. From there, her story unfolds through heartbreaking loss, including the death of her infant daughter Scarlet, the trauma of family grief, and the mindset shifts that allowed her to keep moving forward. Today, Monica leads a thriving real estate team, mentors new agents, gives back through Homes for Heroes, and continues building a life rooted in gratitude, purpose, and connection. Her story is a powerful reminder that where you begin does not determine where you’re capable of going! In this episode, we talk about: * A baseball-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker with Pittsburgh Pirates trivia * Monica’s journey from Washington State to Pittsburgh * Her early career as a hairstylist and salon leader * The difficult reality of addiction and the moment she chose to leave that life behind * Returning home as a single mother and rebuilding from the ground up * The role family support played in her recovery * Motherhood as the driving force behind transformation * Navigating profound grief after the loss of her daughter Scarlet * How faith, perspective, and gratitude carried her through devastating loss * Building a successful real estate career from family roots in renovation and investing * Leading a team, mentoring new agents, and stepping into leadership * Giving back through Homes for Heroes and community-centered philanthropy * Why Monica wants to be remembered not for one chapter, but for the way she loved people Connect Visit: https://monicasamplerealestate.com/ [https://monicasamplerealestate.com/] If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, follow, and subscribe! If you're interested in being a guest or have any questions, reach out to us at support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com

From Adversity to Advocacy - How Mindset Can Change Your Life

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome special guest Allison Schaberg, owner and managing partner of Consolidated Planning Group, a holistic financial planning firm. Allison shares a deeply powerful and personal story shaped by advocacy and an unwavering commitment to her family. As a mother of four adult children (three with disabilities) her life has been anything but linear. From navigating cancer, complex medical needs, and major life transitions, to building a successful career in financial planning, Allison’s journey is a testament to perspective and purpose. Through both her personal experiences and professional work, Allison has dedicated her life to helping families facing similar challenges feel less overwhelmed and more empowered. She opens up about the realities of parenting children with special needs, the gaps in available resources, and why access to the right information can change everything. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful mindset shift: instead of focusing on what’s difficult, Allison chooses to focus on what’s possible—and why she still considers herself “the lucky one.” In this episode, we talk about: * A fun spring-themed “Two Truths and a Lie” icebreaker (and why scurvy made an appearance) * What holistic special needs financial planning actually means * The hidden complexities families face when planning for lifelong care * Why there’s no single roadmap (and how overwhelming that can feel) * Allison’s personal journey as a mother navigating serious medical diagnoses * The emotional and practical realities of raising children with disabilities * Transitioning from pediatric care to adulthood—and the challenges that come with it * The importance of having the right financial structures in place (and what can go wrong without them) * Why hiring the right help can change everything * How Allison turned her lived experience into a mission-driven career * The creation of free educational resources to support families nationwide * The mindset shift that helped her move from survival mode to empowerment * Why she truly believes she is “the lucky one” Connect: Visit: https://www.consolidatedplanninggroup.com [https://www.consolidatedplanninggroup.com/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConsolidatedPlanningGroup [https://www.youtube.com/@ConsolidatedPlanningGroup] If you enjoyed this episode be sure to like, follow, and subscribe! If you're interested in being a guest or have any questions, reach out to us at support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com [support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com]

Trust the Process: Reinvention & Rocking the Party

In this episode of Grit, Grace, Growth, hosts Kim & Ken welcome their first guest, Gail Carey. She's the manager of Boston’s award-winning Hot Mess Band. Gail shares a remarkable story of reinvention (one that spans continents, careers, and unexpected opportunities). Originally from England, Gail’s life took a dramatic turn when her family moved to the United States for her husband’s job. What followed was a winding journey through immigration challenges, raising three daughters, navigating divorce, and rebuilding her life professionally. With no formal background in music, Gail eventually found her way into the entertainment industry, first booking bands and later partnering with Jason Silverman of Hot Mess. Her story is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line and that trusting the process can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. Along the way, Gail opens up about  the mindset that helped her turn adversity into opportunity. * The podcast’s first guest and a new “Two Truths and a Lie” game (with surprising music trivia) * Gail’s move from England to the United States and the immigration challenges her family faced  * Being unable to work for years after arriving in the U.S. and how that shaped her path  * Raising three daughters while navigating major life transitions * Rebuilding financially after divorce and starting over with a small income  * How Gail entered the music industry with no prior experience * The evolution of Boston’s Hot Mess Band and building a recognizable brand in the events industry * What it takes to deliver unforgettable live entertainment experiences * Why “trusting the process” became Gail’s guiding philosophy Connect: Visit: https://hotmessrocks.com [https://hotmessrocks.com/]  Email: support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com [support@gritgracegrowthpodcast.com]  If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and share the podcast with someone who could use a little inspiration.