The Corporate Escapee
Stuck in corporate? You're not alone. Corporate is broken. Loyalty is dead. Layoffs are coming. And you know it. But here's the truth most won't tell you: Building your own thing is easier than finding your next corporate job. I'm Brett Trainor—corporate escapee after 25+ years—and I've helped 500+ professionals escape and build $10K-$50K/month solopreneur businesses using their corporate experience. No unicorn startups. No venture capital. Just you, your laptop, and the expertise you already have. Every week, I bring you real escape stories, practical strategies, and proven playbooks from people who've left corporate and are thriving as consultants, fractional executives, coaches, and advisors. You'll learn: How to monetize years of corporate experience in 60 days The exact steps to land your first $5K-$10K client Why finding your next job is harder than building your business How to replace your corporate salary (without the politics or layoffs) If you're done waiting for corporate to quit you, this show is your escape plan. Subscribe now. Your freedom starts here.
Show episodes
Bet on Yourself: From Video Agency to Solo Productized Service with Neil K. Carroll
Today I’m joined by Neil K. Carroll, founder of vidwheel, who took the long way out of corporate: video agency → higher-ed job → rebuilding as a lean solo business. Neil shares how a simple testimonial project for a startup turned into something much bigger—a repeatable, productized service that helps founders uncover
Download the FREE Escapee Starter Kit Episode Summary After nearly 30 years in corporate communications, Ed Patterson didn’t just leave corporate—he left the country. He and his partner planned their move to Portugal, secured residency, and designed a new life where work no longer sits at the center. We cover what it r
Guest: Bob Burg, co-author of The Go-Giver Note from Brett: This Greatest Hits episode is one of the most shared conversations we’ve ever had — and for good reason. If you’re trying to land your first clients or grow your solo business, Bob’s Go-Giver principles are a masterclass in creating value, building trust, and
Healthcare for a Company of One: A Real Alternative for Solopreneurs w/Tom Morrissey
Healthcare is the #1 concern from wannabe escapees DM Brett about. Today, benefits veteran and fellow escapee Tom Morrissey breaks down a solo-friendly health plan designed for one-person companies: Solo Health Collective. We cover who qualifies, how underwriting your business (not you as an individual) changes the gam
Beyond the Escape: How to Stay Free (and Profitable) as a Solopreneur w/ Jenni Gritters
What happens after you escape corporate? How do you make your solo business work long-term—without burning out or losing the freedom you left for? In this episode, Brett sits down with Jenni Gritters, author of The Sustainable Solopreneur and coach to creatives, consultants, and coaches who want to build profitable, fl
GenX built the systems everyone’s now trying to automate — and that’s exactly why we’re built for what’s next. In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Himmelfarb, one of the original corporate escapees, to talk about why the real opportunity with AI isn’t automation…it’s augmentation. Michael shares how he rebuilt his c
