I Walked Away From a “Perfect” Career… to Build a Career That Fits Around Life
In this episode of Work It Like a Mum, Elizabeth Willetts is joined by Natasha Doran, a former corporate professional turned franchise business owner with Get Ahead.
After 20 years in insurance and a successful corporate career, Natasha shares what led her to step away, explore new paths, and ultimately build a flexible, part-time business that works around her family life.
What We Cover:
- Leaving a “perfect on paper” corporate career
- Navigating the uncertainty of a career change
- Trying different paths (coaching, freelance) before finding the right fit
- Why franchising offers the balance of flexibility + support
- How Get Ahead supports businesses through outsourcing
- The reality of starting something new (fear, planning, mindset)
- Building a business around school hours and family life
- What roles and skills are currently in demand (VA, marketing, business support)
- The power of networking when starting from scratch
- Why ambition can look different after children
Key Takeaways:
- You don’t have to have it all figured out — trying different paths is part of the process
- Flexibility and ambition can co-exist (it just might look different)
- Franchising can be a powerful way to start a business with built-in support
- Networking is key when building something new
- Outsourcing is growing as businesses look for flexible, lower-risk support
- Investing in yourself (coaching, learning, mindset) pays off
- Career decisions don’t have to follow a traditional “ladder”
Why Listen:
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a role that looks great on paper but doesn’t feel quite right… this episode will resonate.
It’s an honest conversation about stepping away from corporate life, building something new, and creating a career that actually fits your life.
Show Links:
Connect with Elizabeth Willetts on LinkedIn here