What makes a successful TV producer walk away from interviewing Taylor Swift to pick up her son from daycare? Shannon Russell made that split-second decision while pregnant, running through a Manhattan subway station—and it changed everything.
After 16 years producing television shows, Shannon faced a brutal reality: her dream career was stealing every first moment with her children. First birthday? Missed. Halloween? Missed. The commute, the travel, the endless hours—it all came crashing down in one pivotal moment.
Shannon opened a STEM education franchise teaching kids Lego building, coding, and robotics—despite having zero teaching background. Within 18 months, she opened a brick-and-mortar location. Eight years later, she sold it successfully and launched a thriving coaching business helping other women reinvent their careers.
But here's what's really intriguing: the transition wasn't smooth. There was a year of "floundering"—trying nine-to-five jobs, pursuing a master's degree, searching for what fit. What finally worked? Finding her "why" and making it non-negotiable. Now she's teaching Lego Serious Play to corporate executives in hospitals, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies—bringing STEM to boardrooms nationwide.
Tune in to discover why your "why" matters more than your credentials—and how to build a business around it.
Connect with Shannon Russell: Website: secondactsuccess.co
Book: Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life (Available on Amazon)
Podcast: Second Act Success
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