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The Corporate EscapeeFrom corporate to solopreneur real stories, smart strategies, and simple playbooks for corporate professionals building freedom. Author: Brett Trainor
Hey, Im Brett Trainor corporate escapee, business builder, and your guide to building life after corporate. After 25 years in corporate, I realized the system wasnt built for freedom or happiness. Now Im helping other corporate pros not just escape but thrive as independent solopreneurs, building multiple income streams and more control over their time, work, and life. I study whats working in the new world of solo business the models, the mindset, and the experiments that lead to freedom then bring you the best ideas, shortcuts, and stories so you can build faster and with less risk. This show covers: Real stories from folks whove escaped corporate and what theyre building now. Practical ways to make money using your corporate experience. Solopreneur strategies: consulting, fractional work, digital products, coaching, and more. Playbooks to help you design your next chapter and land your first (or next) customer. Mindset, happiness, and freedom lessons from experts, authors, and other escapees. Sometimes Ill chat with another escapee or subject-matter expert. Other times, Ill share lessons from my own journey the wins, the mistakes, and what Ive learned guiding hundreds of corporate's through their transition. If youre a professional tired of office politics, layoffs, or waiting for corporate to quit you this show is for you. Its time to escape corporate and start building your life as a solopreneur. Get Busy Living. Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Entrepreneurship Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Bet on Yourself: From Video Agency to Solo Productized Service with Neil K. Carroll
Wednesday, 12 November, 2025
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 the stories and insights hidden inside their customer relationships.If you’re stuck in corporate and wondering what you would even sell, this episode will help you see the path: start with what you already know, listen for the real problem, and bet on yourself.What You’ll LearnNeil’s escape path: agency burnout → COVID pivots → higher-ed → soloThe “Root Thread” deep testimonial approach and why it delivers strategic customer insightHow to productize what you already do without boxing yourself inWhy referrals and local networks are enough for a one-person businessHow Neil priced his offer and why undercharging early is part of the processThe 4 levers every offer should hit: save time, save money, make money, reduce riskWhy betting on yourself beats betting on corporate stabilityKey TakeawaysYour corporate title doesn’t matter—your ability to solve problems doesProductized services make selling and delivery easierCustomer conversations reveal the real value you offerSolopreneurs don’t need 100 clients—you need a few right-fit onesYou can always go back to corporate… but very few people want to once they leaveAbout Neil K. CarrollNeil is the founder of vidwheel, helping startups and small businesses capture deep customer stories through Root Thread testimonial interviews and his hardware-enabled Mini Studio (VidKit 3).He combines interviewing skill, remote production, and AI-assisted analysis to help companies extract messaging, proof, and product insight directly from their customers.Connect with Neil:LinkedIn: Neil K. CarrollWebsite: vidwheel.com
