🎬 A 3-Decade Job to Self-Employment Playbook: Earn More, Work Less, Exit Earlier (Issue 186)

An 8-week Exit from Your 9-to-5 Job (Issue 199)

I often see a common business planning mistake. Too many courses, coaches, and entrepreneurs leap straight into defining the specific business and creating a plan. That skips a critical exploration that I use with my students and clients when we work together. There’s a reason I emphasize this point in my LinkedIn bio [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornett/]: “Escape Career Burnout, Rebuild Your Confidence, and Reinvent Yourself Without Starting Over.” I also use it in my description of this newsletter and podcast: “I help midlife professionals leverage their expertise to create a self-employment plan that helps them escape their 9-to-5 jobs without starting over.” Launching a new business and quitting your 9-to-5 job is already hard. Starting over from scratch makes it even harder. I see people try that, and that’s one reason so many new businesses fail. * The tech employee who wants to open a coffee shop, but has no experience with a brick and mortar business, the food industry, or even being a barista. * The sales guy who wants to open a restaurant, but has never been a chef or even worked in a restaurant before. * The police officer who dreams of running a bar, but knows nothing about the logistics and experience of doing that. I’m not saying that it is impossible to reinvent yourself completely, escape your professional past, and do something entirely new. Almost anything is possible with time and hard work, of course. However, it will take longer to acquire the new skills, knowledge, and experience. It will take longer to get things right and start generating enough revenue to survive. That’s hard and a little scary when you have bills to pay and your bank account is dwindling. That is why my 8-week Exit Blueprint builds on a foundation that does not require you to start over. We begin at the very first level of identifying and capturing your undeniable existing expertise. * What are the natural talents that you’ve always had since childhood? * What valuable knowledge have you acquired through your education, employment, and personal life? * What useful skills have you developed through your work and life? * What experience have you gained that can be applied to your future entrepreneurial plans? Next—before we even get into exploring a business model—we uncover your life goals, what you want most in the end, and what you enjoy doing. * Looking back on your personal and professional life to identify flow state moments. * Capturing when you feel most competent and confident. * Peeling back the layers of work responsibilities to see what you actually enjoyed doing. * Paying attention to the interests and passions you’ve had for most of your life. * Describing and defining your ideal lifestyle (e.g., how you want to spend your days). * Visualizing and defining your ideal end state after the next 20-30 years. * Identifying the next best move to put you on the path to reaching your ultimate goals. My progress pyramid structures the course and coaching engagement. We collaborate to build it up from the foundation all the way to the top with the ultimate goal of a functional and fulfilling self-employed business model and plan. 🎧 Note: I discuss this in more detail in the podcast episode audio. So, scroll up, hit play, and listen. In this episode, I take you through the exercises and questions I use to help my clients build that first foundational layer. I will share more details for each subsequent layer in the model over the coming months. By the way, I will offer The Exit Blueprint in multiple formats. One might be more interesting to you than the others. * Private coaching [https://invinciblesolopreneurs.com/#twooptionsavailable] (one-on-one) * Cohort courses [https://forms.gle/4f4Q6WcNgTtw4auH6] (small groups) * Workshops (online and in-person) * DIY course (on your own) I’m planning on running the first cohort course later this year, and will probably offer it again about twice a year in the future. If you’re interested in the course or a different format, please sign up to be notified [https://forms.gle/4f4Q6WcNgTtw4auH6] about the specific dates. I’d love to work with you on your business idea! From corporate exec [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornett/] to entrepreneur [https://larrycornett.coach/], Larry Cornett is a coach who helps you leverage your existing expertise to design a self-employment business that funds the life you want. Escape the 9-to-5 grind by creating your Exit Blueprint to freedom! ➡️ Ready to build your blueprint? Book a free call today [https://schedule.larrycornett.coach/free-call] to claim your spot. Get full access to The Exit Blueprint at newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The Exit Plan You Can Create While You Still Have a Job (Issue 194)

Summary of this Episode Note: I only used Lumo AI [https://lumo.proton.me/] to summarize the transcript from the audio of me talking in this podcast episode. I did not use AI to create my outline notes (wrote those by hand in a notebook), and I did not use AI to write some sort of script. It is just me talking in one take. So, scroll up and hit play to listen to the full details of the what, why, how, and next steps of this strategic change. In this episode, I’m announcing a strategic shift away from the “Invincible Solopreneurs” brand, which I’ve found to be too limiting for the movement I want us all to build. I talk more about this in the podcast audio. Through extensive community feedback, survey responses, and conversations with friends and advisors, I realized that “invincible” felt unrealistic and “solopreneur” alienated those wanting more traditional businesses that hire employees. Instead, I’m introducing The Exit Blueprint, a comprehensive framework, guide, and playbook designed specifically for late-career professionals (primarily Gen X and elder Millennials) who are tired of the corporate grind but aren’t ready to fully retire (or may not have a large enough financial nest egg, yet). The goal is to guide experienced and ambitious people in designing a lifestyle business that gives them autonomy, purpose, and time freedom before they leave their 9-to-5 jobs. I want to ensure a safe and validated transition into their “second act” while they are still receiving a paycheck and don’t feel time and financial pressure. 10 Key Takeaways from this Episode * Rebranding Rationale * The “Invincible Solopreneurs” name is missing the mark because it feels unrealistic (can anyone truly be invincible?) and exclusive (solopreneurs only). * I think it was failing to resonate with those seeking empowered entrepreneurship rather than a solitary struggle. * My Core Audience * The Exit Blueprint targets late-career professionals (e.g., mostly Gen X, some elder Millennials) who are too young to retire financially but increasingly facing ageism and burnout in the corporate world. * Strategic Timing * The best time to build an exit plan is while you still have a steady income. * Panic-driven actions after a job loss rarely lead to well-designed businesses. * I created this business planning framework for people who’ve been working hard for 15-20 years, are approaching burnout, and are ready for something better for their lives. * Life-First Design * The blueprint flips the model: Design your ideal life and lifestyle first, then create a business model that supports it, rather than letting a job dictate how you work and live. * The Power of Autonomy * Time freedom is true wealth. * It gives you the ability to choose when and how much you work, when you play, and how you spend your days. * Avoiding Ageism * Becoming your own boss is the only way to completely eliminate the risk of age discrimination in your career. * You will never fire yourself. * You will never underpay yourself. * Different Options for You * I will offer The Exit Blueprint system in multiple ways; some will be more appropriate than others, depending on your needs and situation. For example… * Private one-on-one coaching * A cohort course with like-minded peers * In-person workshops (welcome back to IRL events!) * Weekend retreats in great locations like Lake Tahoe, California, or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. * Escaping Corporate Fatigue * The push for creating this exit plan stems from the exhaustion of working on meaningless projects, dealing with repetitive corporate patterns, and lacking control over compensation. * I think we also grow weary of having no control over who our boss is, and the coworkers we have to work with. I sure did. * Validation Before Taking the Leap * The process emphasizes testing and validating business models while still employed, allowing for aggressive creativity without financial desperation. * There is no need to quit your job and lose a steady paycheck until you are sure your new business is going to work. * Empowerment Instead of Invincibility * This new identity focuses on being an “empowered entrepreneur” (e.g., resilient, adaptable, and in control) rather than the impossible standard of being “invincible.” Self-employed Life Is So Different Monday mornings during the summer hit differently when you’re self-employed. No more Sunday Night Scaries. No more Monday Morning Blues. Monday mornings during my corporate career felt like an endless series of school-year Mondays, but with no summer break. It just went on, and on, and on… As an independent business owner, I feel a sense of boundless freedom and endless options to choose what I will do with each day. Sometimes I work. Sometimes I play. But each morning starts slowly, the way I want it to. Each day unfolds with the choices I’ve made (not something an employer has decided). I can’t even begin to describe how that freedom feels after decades of not having much choice. I hope you get to experience that feeling soon (like my clients do). That time freedom is the greatest gift of all, and it changes everything! Want to talk with me about designing your own Exit Blueprint to leave your 9-5 job and start your own thing? You can book a free call [https://schedule.larrycornett.coach/free-call]! From corporate exec [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornett/] to entrepreneur [https://larrycornett.coach/], Larry Cornett is a coach who helps you leverage your existing expertise to design a self-employment business that funds the life you want. Escape the 9-to-5 grind by creating your Exit Blueprint to freedom! ➡️ Ready to build your own blueprint? Book a free call today [https://schedule.larrycornett.coach/free-call] to claim your spot. Get full access to The Exit Blueprint at newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

🎬 A 3-Decade Job to Self-Employment Playbook: Earn More, Work Less, Exit Earlier (Issue 186)

During my hike through the forest this weekend, I recorded some thoughts about empowerment and what it means for each decade of your life. Some people may find it odd that I simultaneously coach my clients on how to get ahead in their careers and also how to exit the 9-to-5 grind to enjoy self-employment and semi-retirement. However, I see an overall arc to our lives from our 20s to our final years that includes your education, traditional employment, the freedom of a lifestyle business, and maximizing your enjoyment of your final years on this planet. It all centers on empowerment My empowerment strategy lets you squeeze the most out of your earning years and the most life out of your later years. * Empowered people have more career opportunities than others do. * Empowered people feel confident and courageous in their jobs. * Empowered people demand what they deserve from their working lives. * Empowered people create a path to greater freedom and fulfillment. * Empowered people get more of what they want out of life. * Empowered people live larger and refuse to settle for less. Summary of what I share in the video * The Unifying Thread of Empowerment * Career coaching and self-employment coaching may seem contradictory, but they share one goal: putting you in the driver’s seat of your working life, whether that’s climbing the ladder or exiting to creating your own path. [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/create-your-own-career-ladder-issue] * From Invincible to Empowered * My business branding is evolving. * It’s less about feeling invincible and more about being so skilled, visible, and respected that you become more empowered. * You become an opportunity magnet [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/quick-tip-your-resume-wont-sell-you] (I’ve talked a lot about this before). * Power Means You Can Walk Away * When you’re truly empowered, you stop tolerating bad bosses [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/is-a-bad-boss-slowly-killing-your], toxic environments, and unreasonable demands. * During my long career [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornett/], I have watched talented people push back and win because employers couldn’t afford to lose them. * The Value of Inside Champions * Throughout my career, former colleagues and advocates [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/dont-be-lost-in-obscurity] pulled me into companies and made the interview processes almost effortless. * That kind of network [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/a-non-sleazy-way-to-network-issue] doesn’t happen by accident. * You have to earn it, expand it, and nurture it. * You Will Have Peak Earning Years * Research shows earning potential peaks [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/youd-better-ride-that-wave-issue] and then declines. * Senior roles become scarce, and age discrimination [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/shining-a-light-on-ageism-maureen] is real (especially in tech). * You need to maximize your earnings while this brief window is open. * Same Hours, Very Different Pay * Would you rather earn $100K or $300K for the same eight hours/day? * Push hard for what you deserve. * Do not tolerate a one-way relationship with your employer. Get as much as you give. * The same goes for building a business. Maximize your revenue return for your time and energy. Don’t waste time on low-value activities. * Bank It, Don’t Burn It * Live leaner [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/when-will-you-have-enough] during your highest-earning years. * Invest aggressively, create a financial safety cushion, and start working on self-employment plans [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/p/how-to-build-a-lifestyle-business]. * You’re buying your freedom through self-employment and better budgeting. * Your 20s Are for Foundation Building * Get educated * Find your people, make good friends, discover love, and find your life partner [https://newsletter.invinciblelife.me/p/our-secret-to-a-long-lasting-relationship]. * Start figuring out your professional path. * Enjoy this time! Don’t rush the exploration phase. * Your 30s and 40s Are Peak Earning Decades * This is your primary earning window. * Push hard, climb fast, and earn maximum value for your efforts. * Build your network [https://newsletter.invinciblecareer.com/p/the-surprising-value-of-weak-ties] (it’s one of your most valuable resources). * Quietly line up your self-employment plan and runway, so you can flip that freedom switch earlier than most do. * Your 50s+ Are for Living Large * Transition into self-employment [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/p/the-easiest-business-to-start-issue] that leverages your expertise and everything you already know. * Work when you want, where you want, and how you want. * Play a lot! I’m so glad I took the self-employment path and semi-retired early so I can enjoy my freedom and as much time as possible with the people I love. * Take care of your health [https://newsletter.invinciblelife.me/p/fitter-in-my-50s-than-i-was-in-my] and enjoy the last half of your life while you still can. * Life is short! Don’t save your bucket list [https://newsletter.invinciblelife.me/p/dont-save-your-bucket-list-for-your] for a decade where you can’t physically cross items off anymore. What are your thoughts on this? Leave a comment if you have a question. Schedule a free call with me [https://schedule.larrycornett.coach/free-call] if you’d like to discuss your unique situation and brainstorm some ideas for getting more of what you want out of your life and lifestyle business. From corporate exec [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cornett/] to entrepreneur [https://larrycornett.coach/], Larry Cornett is a coach who helps you leverage your existing expertise to design a self-employment business that funds the life you want. Escape the 9-to-5 grind by creating your Exit Blueprint to freedom! ➡️ Ready to build your blueprint? Book a free call today [https://schedule.larrycornett.coach/free-call] to claim your spot. 📘 Check out my Invincible Solopreneurs Daily Journal [https://brilliantforge.com/#solopreneurjournal]! Get full access to The Exit Blueprint at newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

🌟 Refocusing to Meet Your Needs (Issue 180)

The name of this podcast and newsletter has been missing the mark, so I need your help! “Invincible Solopreneurs” has been about freedom, independence, defining your second act, quitting your job, leaving bad bosses, and living life the way you want. But something's not clicking. The name doesn't seem to match what most of you actually want. So, I dive into that in this episode. Scroll up and hit play to listen to the details. Some things I’ve heard over the years * It’s not really about “building a business”, per se. It’s about starting your own thing that makes enough money so you can quit a job that is no longer serving you well. * You want to fund your freedom. You want to control your time. * You are tired of job hopping and interviewing. * You are tired of dealing with bad bosses and toxic managers. * You don’t want to scale something into a massive corporation. You want to create something reasonable and sustainable. * You don’t want a job—or even a business—to be the center of your universe. You want to focus on your life first, then define a model that supports that. * The word “invincible” may not resonate with you. * The word “solopreneur” may not resonate with you. The name I created was a fit for my brand and my other newsletters and podcasts. But a name like this isn't about me. It shouldn’t be about me. It’s about you, what you are seeking, and what you want. So, this change is about serving you better. And I would love to hear from you about what that means. More of what you want I want to refine the focus of this newsletter and podcast to give you more of what you want. I want to explore the right topics, have the right guests on the show, and share the kind of advice that meets your needs and gives you what you need most. If you’ve been following this newsletter and podcast, I know you care about: * Your freedom * Your independence * Having flexibility * Having time to lead the life you want * Being more than your job and profession * But… you still need to make a living and pay your bills * And you want to stretch your retirement dollars because you’re worried I know you're not really looking for a side hustle. You already have a job, and the last thing you want is more work. Instead, I think you're looking to define your second act (i.e., the next chapter of your life). You are in this in-between space that I was in, and many of my friends are in now. You’re feeling too old to keep getting hired, but you’re too young to retire. * Many of us hit this point in our 50s. * Of course, it’s more salient in some industries and professions than others. * You’re smart, ambitious, and adventurous. * You’re pretty savvy financially, and you’ve had some good successes. * You’re experienced enough that you don’t really like being told what to do. * You no longer have patience for BS, bad leadership, and corporate nonsense. * After decades on this path, you’re ready for something new. But you aren’t quite sure what that looks like yet. * You’re active and healthy, so you know you have a lot of years ahead of you. * You don’t want to fade into the sunset, sit on the porch, golf every day, or sit around playing cards. * You have a retirement plan, some investments, and some savings But, it’s not enough to support your lifestyle and carry you through for the next 30-40 years. * You want to generate an income that lets you cover your expenses and stretches your retirement dollars. * You sure ask heck don’t want to work 8 to 12-hour days, 5 days a week, anymore. You’re done with that. * But what does that mean? What does that look like for you? That, dear reader, is the whole point of this podcast and newsletter. Helping you explore, define, design, and plan your ideal second act so the last half of your life is as exciting and fulfilling as you can make it! What name best captures the essence of this? I know that “Invincible Solopreneurs” isn’t doing the job. I’m not married to any specific name or brand. * I care about the mission. * I care about this movement. * I feel so passionate about it that this is exactly what I’ve done with my own career and life. So, what should the new brand communicate? What should it promise? * It could be something that sounds like a fresh new chapter in your life. * The second act of your career and life. * Maybe how this isn’t your parent’s career path, and it’s certainly not their model of retirement. * Something that sounds like independence and autonomy. * Something that evokes a sense of excitement, adventure, and freedom. * Maybe something that hints at financial independence, but isn’t about getting rich (i.e., there’s more to life than money). Here’s where you come in. I’d love to get your input! A few questions for you I created a short questionnaire [https://forms.gle/kGrPUHo7HdrWgREW6] to get your thoughts on this renaming exercise. It has five questions and should only take about 2-3 minutes to complete. As one of my readers and listeners, I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks! Next steps * You can join my free community [https://forms.gle/N9AWe5AukUNuiF7WA] if you’d like to discuss this in more detail with me and the other members. * After getting input from all of you, I’ll explore the ideas and come up with a few options. * In a few weeks, I should be able to share the new naming ideas with you and see what you think. * Nothing is going to change right away. I want to make a decision that reflects your wants and needs. * And the overall mission and movement doesn’t really change. It just becomes more focused on what you want. Reading & resources (mentioned in the podcast episode) * What is Coast FIRE? [https://walletburst.com/coast-fire/] * Retirement calculator [https://www.calculator.net/retirement-calculator.html] (what will you need?) * Gen X is facing a retirement crisis [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/04/gen-x-is-facing-a-retirement-crisis-reports-show.html] * “Company of One - Why Staying Small Is the Next Big Thing for Business [https://bookshop.org/p/books/company-of-one-why-staying-small-is-the-next-big-thing-for-business-paul-jarvis/c16bb7b795cff89f?ean=9780358213253&next=t]” by Paul Jarvis * “Free Agent Nation - How Americans New Independent Workers Are Transforming the Way We Live [https://bookshop.org/p/books/free-agent-nation-how-americans-new-independent-workers-are-transforming-the-way-we-live-daniel-h-pink/80fea0e43480cf7e?ean=9780759522312&next=t]” by Daniel Pink Would you like to discuss your goals and plans with me? You can always schedule a complimentary call [https://tidycal.com/cornett/free-business-call]. Larry Cornett is a business coach [https://larrycornett.coach/] who works with ambitious people to help them reclaim their power, become more invincible, and create better opportunities for their work and lives. Do more of what you love and less of what you hate! Check out his new Invincible Solopreneurs Daily Journal [https://brilliantforge.com/#solopreneurjournal]! Would you like to help support my newsletter and podcast, but don’t want to commit to a monthly fee? Check out my ☕️ Buy Me a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/cornett]. I’m a solopreneur, and coaching and writing are how I provide for my family. Thanks for your help! Get full access to The Exit Blueprint at newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

🌟 How Moving to Portugal Helped a Solopreneur Cut Costs and Enjoy a New Life (Issue 174)

Have you ever considered moving abroad? Do you dream of running a business in a more affordable location to improve your quality of life? If so, you will enjoy my guest for this episode, Casey Kelly. We had a great conversation about how and why she moved from Texas to Portugal, and the unique challenges of establishing and operating her small business from there. About Casey, in her own words: “I help people navigate complex, dynamic, multi-stage processes to get the outcomes they want. How? Two ways. First: I help AI-native and AI-enhanced SaaS companies plan and execute GTM, thought leadership, and customer success story content to drive sales, differentiate the brand, and generate investor interest. Second: I help Americans who want to move to Europe plan and execute their research effectively, so they can find the right destination for their needs, without wasting money or time.” Summary of what we discussed (scroll up and hit play to listen to the details) * Motivation to relocate – Casey’s research on elder‑care costs sparked a desire to leave the U.S. and explore a more sustainable lifestyle abroad. * Choosing Portugal over Spain – Portugal offered a clear, early‑adopter digital‑nomad visa, whereas Spain’s process was vague and slower. * Business restructuring – Casey wound down her U.S. S‑Corp and re‑established herself as an independent contractor in Portugal, relying on a local CPA to navigate tax and registration requirements. * Banking hurdles for Americans – U.S. reporting obligations deter many Portuguese banks from serving expats; success required persistent outreach and leveraging peer recommendations. * Cultural adjustments – Portuguese social etiquette, respect for hierarchy, slower pace of life, doing business, etc. * Language challenges – Portuguese is linguistically more complex than Spanish, with nuanced pronunciation, extensive formality levels, etc. * Work-style challenges – Maintaining U.S. client relationships requires flexible hours to accommodate time-zone differences, navigating time pressure, blocking vacation time, and clearly communicating availability. * Community building & information curation – Frustrated by noisy social media groups, Casey created the “We’re Moving to Europe” Skool community and Substack newsletter to centralize resources for Americans considering relocation. * Practical relocation checklist – Emphasizes defining non‑negotiables (e.g., healthcare, accessibility, friendliness, medication availability, income needs) before selecting a country or visa type. * Mindset shift – Moving abroad forced Casey to abandon the “always‑busy” U.S. work culture, adopt a slower rhythm, and prioritize personal well‑being over constant productivity, illustrating how our environment shapes our work habits. Where to find Casey * Her online community, “We’re Moving to Europe [https://www.skool.com/were-moving-to-europe/].” * Her Substack publication, “We’re Moving to Europe [https://weremovingtoeurope.substack.com/].” * Her LinkedIn profile [https://linkedin.com/in/caseykellybarton] Would you like to review your business plans with me? You can always schedule a complimentary call [https://tidycal.com/cornett/free-business-call]. Larry Cornett is a business coach [https://larrycornett.coach/] who works with ambitious professionals to help them reclaim their power, become more invincible, and create better opportunities for their work and lives. Do more of what you love and less of what you hate! Check out his new Invincible Solopreneurs Daily Journal [https://brilliantforge.com/#solopreneurjournal]! Would you like to help support my newsletter and podcast, but don’t want to commit to a monthly fee? Check out my ☕️ Buy Me a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/cornett]. I’m a solopreneur, and coaching and writing are how I provide for my family. Thanks for your help! Get full access to The Exit Blueprint at newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe [https://newsletter.invinciblesolopreneurs.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]