In this episode, I’m joined by Tabatha Jones, a self-described corporate escape Sherpa, business coach, and former corporate leader who spent more than two decades leading high-performing technical teams. After climbing the ladder and checking all the “success” boxes, Tabatha reached a moment of truth: alignment mattered more than titles, money, or prestige.

Tabatha shares her personal journey of building a business quietly on the side for four years while still working full-time, creating a financial runway, paying down debt, and gaining clarity before making the leap at 50. We talk candidly about what it’s really like to leave corporate, the emotional and practical challenges of entrepreneurship, and why so many women feel stuck even when they know they want something more.

This conversation dives deep into the importance of building a strong business foundation first, starting with your why, what, who, and how, before investing in advanced programs, tools, or strategies.

We also explore the role of AI as a strategic business partner, not a distraction, and how tools like Biz Builder AI help entrepreneurs focus their limited time where it matters most. Along the way, we talk about burnout, boundaries, shiny object syndrome, and the courage it takes to choose a different path even when others don’t understand it.

If you’ve ever thought, “It’s too late,” “I don’t have time,” or “I don’t know where to start,” this episode is your reminder that you don’t need to leap blindly, you can build with intention, confidence, and support.

Key Takeaways:

1. Building before you quit: A solid foundation turns fear into confidence and panic into strategy.
2. Alignment matters: Success doesn’t mean anything if it costs your energy, health, or integrity.
3. Freedom is built in small, consistent actions: One focused hour a day compounds into real momentum over time.
4. You need a plan: Clarity around your why, what, who, and how removes hesitation.
5. Time isn’t missing, it’s misallocated: A simple time audit reveals space you didn’t know you had.
6. Entrepreneurship isn’t easier than corporate: The power comes from choosing the hard that leads somewhere meaningful.
7. Foundation always comes before acceleration: Skipping the basics creates instability no strategy can fix.
8. Progress deserves to be celebrated: Tracking wins builds confidence and keeps burnout at bay.
9. AI works best as a strategic partner, not a distraction: Used intentionally, it sharpens focus instead of creating noise.
10. It’s never too late to start: Midlife isn’t the end of the road, it’s often the clearest beginning.

Unlock the Secrets to Building a Resilient and Profitable Business at the Profit Connectors Club - https://profitconnectors.club/

About Tabatha:

Tabatha Jones is The Corporate Escape Sherpa™—a Business and Career Coach, Author, and host of GenX Remix: Midlife, Laughs & Next Acts. After 20+ years leading high-performing technical teams in Corporate America, she made her bold leap at 50 and now helps midlife women build profitable businesses before they quit their jobs. As CEO of Empowered Leadership Coaching, Tabatha guides women through her Freedom Builder System—featuring Biz Builder AI and the Freedom Builder Community—to turn clarity into clients and corporate experience into income. Known for her bold, relatable style, Tabatha is the go-to expert for women ready to escape burnout, elevate their confidence, and create freedom on their own terms.

About Sharon:

Sharon Galluzzo, Profit Growth Strategist at Profit Connections, is the author of several Amazon Best Selling books including “Legendary Business: From Rats to Riche$.” She ran a successful multi-six figure, award winning business for more than a decade before selling it for a profit. In her more than 19 years as an entrepreneur, Sharon has coached professionals across the country from franchisors and solopreneurs to businesses on the verge expansion.

http://sharongalluzzo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/sharonagalluzzo/

https://www.instagram.com/sharon_galluzzo/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharongalluzzo/

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.

Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcasts review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.