I thought I had it all figured out—steady career, financial security, and a clear path as a CPA at Deloitte. But deep down, I knew I was living someone else’s dream. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my biggest career pivot: leaving the corporate world to build BudgetDog from scratch. I share the surprising way I fell into accounting, the turning point that pushed me to walk away, and the emotional and financial hurdles I faced starting over from zero.

 

This isn’t just about career change—it’s about identity, courage, and redefining success on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt that pull to do something different but fear and security kept you frozen, my story will give you both the playbook and the push to take action.

 

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Episode Timeline & Highlights

 

[0:41 ] - Why I became a CPA (and why it wasn’t really my plan)

[4:54 ] - The chance encounter that landed me at Deloitte

[5:11 ] - Realizing the work didn’t align with my purpose

[6:34 ] - The accidental birth of BudgetDog

[8:23 ] - The moment I knew I had a new calling

[11:03 ] - The emotional cost of reinvention

[12:11 ] - From steady paycheck to financial volatility

[14:27 ] - Proving doubters wrong (and the partner who mocked me)

[16:23 ] - Letting go of external validation

[20:28 ] - Redefining success to serve family and mission

[22:45 ] - Practical steps to prepare for a career pivot

[23:29 ] - Journal prompt to discover your true calling

 

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Key Takeaways

 

1. Reinvention is Hard but Worth It – Changing careers means changing your identity, your habits, and how you handle fear.

2. Purpose Outweighs Prestige – External validation and titles won’t matter if the work doesn’t align with what truly fulfills you.

3. Prepare Before You Leap – Build an income bridge, test your idea, and ensure your pivot is both passionate and practical.

 

 

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Quotables

 

“Social media chose me—I didn’t choose social media.”

“If you doubt me, healthy or not, I will dominate anything you say.”

“Reinvention is painful, but so is staying stuck.”

“If money were handled right now, what would you build, lead, or create instead?”

 

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Links & Resources

 

• Learn more about BudgetDog Academy: https://budgetdog.com

• Watch my story about leaving Deloitte: https://youtube.com (search “Deloitte BudgetDog”)

 

 

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If this episode gave you the push to think differently about your career, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to rate, follow, and review the show—it helps more people take bold steps toward the life they want.