In the wake of what experts are calling "The Great Resignation," a fascinating trend has emerged that deserves our attention. "The people who left their jobs during the Great Resignation launched a record 5.5 million high propensity businesses,” Gregory Larkin shares in his insightful analysis. This impressive stat reveals a profound shift in how professionals are reclaiming their careers after experiencing workplace disappointment.
At Career Steward, we've witnessed this transformation firsthand. Our clients—accomplished professionals with impressive credentials—often come to us for help with their next steps after confidence-shaking workplace experiences or transitions.
"I’m still dealing with the after effects of what happened to me," one former marketing executive told us, her voice still carrying the weight of her experience. After years of dedication to her company, a reorganization left her questioning her value.
This story isn't unique. The corporate landscape can be unforgiving, especially for high-achieving women who face additional barriers to recognition and advancement.
An Increasingly Competitive Job Market
The traditional path of moving from one employer to another is becoming more challenging by the day. The federal government's recent massive workforce reduction dramatically worsens this growing concern. According to Forbes, "approximately 65,000 federal employees have accepted a buyout offer…in an unprecedented move to shrink the U.S. government that, if it passes legal muster, will become the largest single job reduction in U.S. history."
This mass exodus of government workers means tens of thousands of highly-qualified professionals will soon be competing for limited corporate positions. With so many experienced professionals flooding an already competitive job market, traditional employment paths may prove increasingly difficult to navigate, making self-employment not just an alternative but potentially a necessity for many.
The Exodus Explained
The phenomenon Larkin identifies as "The Entrepreneur Exodus" represents a powerful response to corporate dissatisfaction. According to his article, "39% of the 656 Unicorn Startups in the US are founded by people who used to work in the Fortune 500." These startups aren't just small side hustles—they're well-funded ventures with significant growth potential.
When our clients first consider self-employment, their corporate trauma often clouds the possibilities that lie ahead. Where they’ve perceived diminished capabilities, we know the opposite to be true: those corporate experiences may actually provide valuable perspective and motivation.
The journey from corporate dissatisfaction to entrepreneurial success isn't just about escaping toxic environments. It's about reclaiming your professional identity and rebuilding confidence through meaningful work.
Larkin identifies several reasons why professionals leave established companies to launch their own ventures:
1. Skills Misalignment: "Great technologists become order takers not order makers when they work inside a non-tech industry," he notes. This frustration extends beyond technology—any professional whose expertise is underutilized will eventually seek autonomy, like our marketing executive client who’s now planning her own consultancy. “What I was good at wasn't being valued anymore,” she shared.
2. The Little Italy Effect: Success stories inspire others to take similar leaps. "People leave when someone they know left first, made more money, and fell back in love with their job," Larkin explains.
For many of our clients, the corporate experience had become unbearable. "They really made it awful for me there," one client confided. Today, she runs her own business that directly applies her expertise without the institutional barriers.
Rebuilding Confidence Through Entrepreneurship
One of the most heartbreaking statements we’ve heard from new clients is: "I don't have a career I'm proud of or can stand on." This sentiment, often instilled through years of having contributions overlooked or diminished, creates a significant mental barrier to self-employment.
Yet a mindset shift is precisely what's needed to join the Entrepreneur Exodus successfully. The professionals who've built thriving companies after leaving corporate roles didn't do so because they were immune to self-doubt—they simply refused to let the doubt define their future.
Your Invitation to the Exodus
If a career setback has shaken your confidence, you're not alone. The statistics show that millions of professionals have navigated similar challenges and emerged stronger by charting their own path. “With growing momentum, these are the most successful founders of our time, and they are reconfiguring the future of work, entrepreneurship, and the economy as a whole,” Larkin wrote.
You don't need to launch the next unicorn startup to be part of this movement. What matters is reclaiming your professional identity and sense of purpose by building something that honors your expertise and values.
At Career Steward, we're committed to supporting impact-driven entrepreneurs—especially women who've faced career setbacks—in building businesses aligned with their purpose and expertise. If you're considering self-employment but lack of confidence or clarity are standing in your way, we invite you to join our community of 1000+ purpose-driven pros. Subscribe to The Purpose Post below for weekly inspiration, practical guidance, and stories from entrepreneurs who've successfully made the leap from corporate disappointment to entrepreneurial fulfillment.
