Behind the Scenes of a Career Break Entrepreneur: Katrina McGhee’s 9-Year Journey

Episode 74 - Behind the Scenes of a Career Break Entrepreneur: Katrina McGhee’s 9-Year JourneyNine years ago, Katrina took a leap that made absolutely no sense on paper. She left behind a successful corporate career, launched a business helping people take career breaks, and stepped into a space that barely existed at the time.In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Katrina shares the real story of building a business around an unconventional idea. From being featured in Forbes just months after launching, to investing $15,000 in a partnership that didn't work out, to nearly shutting the business down before receiving a surprise book deal, this is an honest look at what entrepreneurship really looks like.We explore the challenges of self-trust, dealing with setbacks, finding your niche, and learning how success is often built through years of persistence rather than one breakthrough moment. Katrina also reflects on the lessons she's learned from coaching more than 200 career breaks, writing Taking a Career Break For Dummies, launching BreakSpace, and co-hosting this podcast.Whether you're dreaming of taking a career break, starting a business, making a major life change, or simply wondering if it's worth betting on yourself, this episode offers a candid look at what happens when you keep showing up despite the uncertainty.🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠Timestamps00:00 Introduction and celebrating 9 years in business04:52 Launching a career break coaching business in 201707:31 The surprise Forbes feature11:51 A costly $15,000 business mistake18:13 Learning self-trust and staying true to your vision21:19 Quitting corporate, ending a relationship, and becoming a nomad26:30 Argentina, grief, and finding clarity29:17 COVID and recommitting to career breaks33:24 The rollercoaster of entrepreneurship34:55 Nearly closing the business before a book deal arrived39:29 How collaboration changed everything42:53 The best business year yet46:08 What Katrina would tell herself nine years ago47:57 The future of career breaks and sabbaticals51:49 Final reflections and closing thoughtsReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?📞Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com