The Work Seminar

Before Brian hired employees to support his three businesses, he was a solo practitioner in the payroll and financial services space for six years. 

And in today’s bonus episode, we’re tapping into Brian’s 10+ years of experience helping self-employed clients get off the ground. Brian dives into the realities of starting your own business, including: 

• How to prepare for entrepreneurship before making the leap.
• Passion vs. practicality in starting a business.
• The extra work that self-employment demands.
• How to register a business name and weigh the pros and cons of different business entities (namely a sole proprietorship or an LLC — don’t worry, we explain each).
• What additional taxes and liabilities you may face, and how to pay yourself.
• How to bring on extra help if business is booming, and whether those workers are contractors or employees. 

***And just to be on the safe side … This episode does not contain or constitute legal advice. You should really contact a CPA or business attorney if you want advice about your (aspirational or realized) business.*** 

Resources mentioned

1871 

Where to find Brian & his businesses

Brian on LinkedIn

InFocusPayroll.com

GoodBookin.com

Brian @ InFocusPayroll.com

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Laura’s multipotentialite mother inspired so much in her life: a love of learning, culture, language, and academic achievement. 

But a few years into her PhD in Victorian literature, Laura doubted that a tenured professorship was within reach. Or that it was the lifestyle she wanted. 

Thanks to intensive soul-searching and working with a coach, she gained clarity into potential careers, finished her dissertation earlier than the bulk of her cohort, and began her transition to marketing.

Between working for a small nonprofit, a large professional services firm, and a few other employers, Laura has become a well-regarded content marketing strategist and ghostwriter for executives. When the pandemic hit, Laura struck out on her own for more flexibility, including time to augment her daughters’ online learning. 

Laura’s future includes big plans for building a content marketing agency, working abroad for five or six years in Europe, and writing a novel. All ambitions her mother — her mentor — would surely be proud of.

Laura’s recommended books for a career switch

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck 

Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant 

Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard & Tom Yorton

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Secrets to Winning at Office Politics by Marie G. McIntyre 

Workplace Poker: Are You Playing the Game, or Just Getting Played? by Dan Rust 

The Power of Bad: How the Negativity Effect Rules Us and How We Can Rule It by John Tierney and Roy F. Baumeister

H3 leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick and Mark Burnett 

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Laura’s recommended content marketing resources

Content Marketing Institute 

Content Marketing Profs 

LinkedIn Learning Content Marketing Courses

Other resources mentioned

The Versatile PhD

MentorCoach

Where to find Laura & Sharp Storylines

Laura on LinkedIn

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Halfway through her doctoral program, Megan knew pursuing a professorship wasn’t the right path. She loved her studies, but seeing how her work could be applied in industry cemented her decision to look outside higher ed for career prospects.

Enlightening conversations with friends and colleagues in the tech scene led Megan to discover the then-nascent user experience (UX) field. One particular chat crystalized UX research as the perfect area for her to focus on. And focus there she did. 

After nine years in UX research and research management roles, Megan was as (initially) surprised as anyone to move into talent development. But her belief in a growth mindset, her evolving identity beyond a UX and psychology practitioner, and an opportunity to stretch herself all aligned. 

Now Megan relishes helping fellow leaders develop their skills and teams, along with finding a sense of accomplishment and balance. 

Books & other resources mentioned

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

JoinLearners.com  — a UX career resource

The Calm App or Headspace for starting a mindfulness practice

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Before Joe founded and sold Content Marketing Institute, wrote six books, and returned to entrepreneurship with The Tilt, he exemplified the liberal arts stereotype: a master’s in hand and uncertainty ahead.  

After earning his MA, Joe decided against a PhD and opted instead to find work in internal communications. But that plan hit a snag when hiring managers balked at his lack of experience. 

He turned to temping, and six months later landed a full-time role that blossomed into a career in marketing and communications. 

Joe’s known for positive attitude, lifelong learning, and commitment to goal setting (and achievement). Those traits helped him reach a VP spot in the media industry and then pivot to build two successful, education-focused companies.  

And, of course, Joe’s grad school days spent mastering the art of ethical persuasion, coupled with exploring his passions and strengths while a student, played no small role in his career achievements. 

Joe’s Books & Other Resources 

The Will to Die, Joe’s debut mystery and thriller novel

Content Inc. 

Epic Content Marketing

Killing Marketing, co-written with Robert Rose 

Content Inc. podcast

This Old Marketing podcast with co-host Robert Rose

Where to find Joe & The Tilt

@JoePulizzi on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook  

thetilt.com

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Dr. Chris Brooks was in the thick of his dissertation when he co-founded Brown Venture Group, a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latinx, and Indigenous technology startups. On top of that, he worked a full-time job and took his commitments as a spouse and father of four seriously. 

But what sounds like extreme sacrifice to us was “being obedient to my calling” to Chris. And that calling? Creating a new case for human flourishing in communities of color. 

Chris believes venture capital can move marginalized groups out of poverty and into living wage jobs, making that human flourishing possible. 

Christian theology — particularly Eastern-rooted theology — and economics are, to Chris, intertwined and inextricable. His doctorate and lifelong study of theology are indispensable to his entrepreneurship and devotion to economic justice. 

Books & other resources mentioned

Unsettling Truths by Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah

The Mystery of Capital by Hernando de Soto

Black History for White People podcast

Where to find Dr. Brooks and Brown Venture Group

Dr. Brooks on LinkedIn

Brown Venture Group website, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook

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Boredom at her job, coupled with aspirations to become the next Maxwell Perkins, inspired Heather to enroll in an MA in writing and publishing program. 

While she spent time in educational publishing during grad school, a move to the West Coast after graduation meant fewer employers in her field of choice — and field of study. 

In short order, Heather landed at Amazon, which serendipitously served as her intro to marketing. She soon discovered that the discipline offered the creative outlet and variety she craved in a career. 

Over the years, Heather’s explored different aspects of marketing and found her niche in web copywriting, the persuasive content that encourages readers to take some form of action. In 2019, she struck out on her own to found HD Copywriting. 

Now Heather imbues her work with the skills she honed in those writing workshops and courses. And she’s revisiting her Perkins ambitions as she regularly chips away at her debut novel. 

Freelancing resources mentioned

Creative Class podcast

Being Freelance podcast 

Copywriting resources mentioned 

The Copywriter Club

Copyhackers and Joanna Weibe

Copy School, a Copyhackers course

Where to find Heather and HD Copywriting

HDcopywriting.com

@HDCopywriter on Instagram

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Jonathan’s pursuit of an MFA was “totally mercenary.” After making little headway in his career or with his oil paintings post college, he realized his penchant for writing could be lucrative (and creative). 

Several years later, with his master’s finished, Jonathan was at a work party when his boss made an offhand remark that sparked another epiphany: If he kept working for others, he’d likely never get a larger piece of the proverbial pie. Within a few months, Kranz Communications was born.

The early years demanded learning the ins and outs of copywriting, networking, and marketing his own business while taking whatever work he could get — and often at low rates. But his tenacity paid off. 

Jonathan’s income tripled between his first and second year solo. And he has earned a solid reputation in his space, landing big-name accounts, speaking at marketing events, and leading workshops at conferences and for clients. 

Twenty-five years on, the deliverables and technology have changed. But Jonathan’s preference for charting his own path has remained.

Books & other resources mentioned

Tested Advertising Methods by John Caples

Ogilvy on Advertising by David Ogilvy

Ugly Things Magazine 

Where to find Jonathan’s content and creative works

Kranz Communications website

Writing Copies for Dummies by Jonathan Kranz

Our Brothers at the Bottom of the Bottom of the Sea (YA novel) by Jonathan Kranz

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A self-described “case study in never deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up,” David found himself working in counseling before and after completing his MA in religion. It wasn’t the right fit, but at the time, he couldn’t quite articulate the underlying reasons why. 

Then four years after grad school, his career moved in mysterious ways. The state changed its professional licensure requirements for counseling, meaning David could either pursue a second master’s in a field that he had no passion for or look elsewhere for employment. 

Instead of starting with what existing skills he could transfer to a new job, he contemplated where an introvert like him could flourish. A little freelancing and a web development certification later, he began a career in software development that has grown into management. 

Had David not put in the work of self-discovery that culminated in an introversion epiphany, he might not have found a career that suits his personality and strengths.

Books & other resources mentioned

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Where to find David’s freelance and non-work writing

David’s Freelance Portfolio

Unobtrusive Lucidity — David’s thoughts on faith, art, and culture

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Amanda’s passion for public finance harkens back to her undergrad days. Yet before grad school, she had never intended to pursue applied public policy work. 

Her interest in social theory and the effects of capitalism in international aid and development led her to pursue an MA in geography. After finishing her thesis on post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in Haiti, she landed a job researching Illinois’ public pension systems.

Soon, she was neck deep in public finance questions reminiscent of her scholarship. Reveling in that work led Amanda to reconsider her future career. 

And when she discovered that University of Illinois at Chicago’s PhD in urban planning and policy program included faculty with geography and public finance experience, she found her doctoral calling. 

Now her work at UIC’s Government Finance Research Center continues the thread of helping people understand where their money goes—and how it’s being used. 

Had Amanda not been open to a job in applied policy, she might never have found industry work she loves. 

Note: Apologies in advance to listeners without strong Illinois or Chicago ties. We delve into the weeds a bit — just a bit — of Land of Lincoln and Windy City taxes and finances. But to the locals: Enjoy! 

Resources mentioned

Amanda and Daniel Kay Hertz’s TIF Explainer

How I Built This podcast

Where to find Amanda and the Government Finance Research Center

AmandaKass.blog

Amanda on Twitter

UIC’s Government Finance Research Center

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Anthony had every intention to work as a professional anthropologist. But after finishing his PhD and teaching for a few years, that desire changed. 

His decision to leave higher ed led to a different higher calling: joining the priesthood of the Coptic Church. 

Once again, Anthony thought he’d found meaningful work he couldn’t imagine leaving. But three years after his ordination, serving in the Coptic Church turned out not to be a long-term calling. 

After two previous career “certainties,” Anthony doesn’t approach UX research the way he did academia or the priesthood. Now, work is work. 

UX doesn’t have to bring meaning and fulfillment into his life. He’s, quite happily, found other ways to achieve that.

Book mentioned

Thread of Blood: Colonialism, Revolution, and Gender on Mexico's Northern Frontier by Ana María Alonso

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