Entrepreneurs Type

Among all pivot types, Entrepreneurs stand out for their willingness to create something new rather than fit into an organizational structure. These eight individuals, either alone or with a co-founder, turned experience, credibility, and values into self-defined ventures. Their stories share one common denominator—agency. Whether driven by a desire for autonomy, frustration with organizational limits and values inconsistent with their own, or an urge to build meaning through creation, they all chose to steer their own ship.

Entrepreneurs build livelihoods aligned with personal vision and values. They start businesses to design work that reflects their values, energy, and purpose. From digital growth and analytics to coaching, distilling gin, and research, their work converges around the same truth: success is self-defined.

This synthesis draws on eight stories: Serena Huang, Hallie Bregman, Joanna Bloor, David Gabriel, Liz Jurcik, Grace Leung, Stacia Garr, and Bryan Clapper.

What They Pivoted From—and Why

Most of these founders came from corporate and consulting environments where their creativity, independence, or sense of purpose began to feel constrained.

• Corporate leadership and analytics: Serena (GE, PayPal, Kraft Heinz) and Hallie Bregman (corporate people analytics) both wanted to have a bigger impact.

• Thought leadership and advocacy: Joanna shifted from years of coaching others to a pause of her own—realigning identity and mission around “power confidence.”

• Organizational development and consulting: David left corporate organization development leadership for executive coaching and rural reinvention.

• Strategic workforce and data roles: Liz’s departure was prompted by misalignment of values and a post-illness reassessment of what mattered.

• Digital marketing and tech: Grace turned layoffs into opportunity, testing entrepreneurship through digital growth and AI education.

• Research and intellectual leadership: Stacia left Deloitte to co-found RedThread Research, prioritizing independence and collaboration.

• Technology and product engineering: Bryan left Silicon Valley to craft gin—a creative business built around lifestyle and legacy.

Across all eight, purpose replaced predictability. For some, burnout or health issues made the cost of staying too high; for others, freedom, flexibility, and creative expression outweighed security.

The Transformation Process

These pivots were not spontaneous—they were intentional, often preceded by long stretches of reflection, planning, and experimentation.

Catalysts of Change

• Discomfort with bureaucracy and diluted impact.

• Life or health events reframing priorities.

• Desire for creative autonomy.

• Emotional or philosophical exhaustion with corporate politics.

Phases of Transformation

• Cocooning and Reflection: Many took structured pauses to realign identity and purpose.

• Testing and Iteration: Some had experimented through side projects and consulting before formalizing their businesses.

• Partnership and Collaboration: Stacia’s collaboration with Dani Johnson shows how shared values can power sustainable ventures.

• Identity Rebuilding: Some pivots involved redefining success away from title or income toward fulfillment and contribution.

Entrepreneurs in this group reframed independence not as isolation but as a conscious act of design—engineering the life and business that best fits who they wanted to become.

Current Directions

Each Entrepreneur has crafted a distinct model of autonomy and contribution:

• Purpose-Driven Thought Leaders: Serena is building “Data with Serena,” extending her people analytics expertise through authoring a book, speaking, and advisory work. Her book The Inclusion Equation integrates inclusion, well-being, and data science.

• Boutique Consultants: Hallie runs her own firm helping organizations embed analytics into business strategy, merging DEI and workforce insights.

• Potentialist-in-Transition: Joanna is redefining leadership and feminine power through storytelling, reframing self-worth as “power confidence.”

• Executive Coaches and Guides: David blends corporate OD experience with ICF coaching, helping leaders align purpose and impact.

• New-Generation Entrepreneurs: Liz co-founded a workforce strategy consultancy and advocates for inclusion of hidden disabilities in work.

• Solo Digital Creators: Grace runs a digital growth and AI consultancy, pairing strategy with education and content creation.

• Collaborative Researchers: Stacia co-leads RedThread Research, producing trusted, independent research rooted in integrity.

• Lifestyle Entrepreneurs: Bryan left tech for craft distilling, balancing creativity, learning, and legacy in his gin microbusiness.

Their directions range from global impact to hyper-local craftsmanship, yet all align around autonomy, mastery, and purpose.

The Role of Learning

For Entrepreneurs, learning is both foundation and differentiator. Their new ventures draw heavily on deep expertise built over decades, but every story also shows humility—the willingness to learn again.

• Formal Learning: David earned coaching certifications; Serena synthesized research into her book; Liz is returning to university to deepen HR understanding.

• Self-Directed Exploration: Grace devoured books and experimented online; Bryan learned distilling science through UC Davis and trial; Hallie honed business development and client acquisition.

• Collaborative Learning: Stacia built RedThread on shared inquiry; Joanna treats reflection itself as a form of meta-learning.

Learning here isn’t about credentials—it’s about evolution, curiosity, and staying relevant through reinvention.

Advice to Others

The Entrepreneurs’ collective wisdom blends practicality with purpose:

• Have a financial cushion (Hallie, David, Liz). Independence takes planning.

• Clarify your mission and values (Serena, Stacia). Purpose must guide decisions.

• Test ideas before leaping (Grace, Bryan). Experimentation builds confidence.

• Collaborate intentionally (Stacia, David). Shared vision multiplies strength.

• Balance health and work (Liz, Joanna). Sustainability beats hustle.

• Tell your story boldly (Joanna). Visibility and self-definition matter.

• Stay adaptable (Grace). Identity can evolve without losing integrity.

Each underscores that entrepreneurship is a commitment—to learning, resilience, and self-knowledge.

Variations by Gender

• Women (6 of 8): Their ventures often emphasize relational leadership, inclusion, and personal authenticity. They balance ambition with wellbeing and purpose, building community around their work. Many highlight integrating compassion and human-centered design into business.

• Men (2 of 8): Their pivots focus on independence and legacy—David through coaching, Bryan through craftsmanship. Both model redefinition of success around lifestyle and contribution rather than growth or scale.

Together, their narratives show gendered differences in focus—women build connection-centered enterprises, while men lean toward purposeful craftsmanship and mentoring.

Variations by Age Cohort

• 30s (Grace): Characterized by experimentation, agility, and building income diversity early.

• 40s (Serena, Hallie, Liz, Stacia): Driven by expertise, values alignment, and a desire to lead on their own terms.

• 50s (Joanna): Using deep professional identity to reframe leadership, voice, and feminine power.

• 60s (David, Bryan): Focused on legacy, lifestyle balance, and mentorship.

Age shapes pace and motivation: younger entrepreneurs embrace experimentation and visibility; older ones emphasize purpose, sustainability, and personal meaning.

Closing 

Entrepreneurs in this study prove that autonomy is not the opposite of collaboration—it’s its evolution. Their pivots were born not from disillusionment but from insight: a recognition that systems change when individuals model new ways of working.

They illustrate entrepreneurship as a continuum:

• From data to dialogue (Serena, Hallie, Stacia),

• From healing to advocacy (Liz),

• From reflection to reinvention (Joanna, Grace),

• From experience to legacy (David, Bryan).

Across industries and ages, they share a core belief: work should serve life, not the reverse. Their collective message—build something that reflects who you are becoming, not just what you’ve been.