IAM2700 – Turning a Layoff into a New Direction

The Shift from Setback to Strategy

Getting laid off can feel like a devastating blow, but for many entrepreneurs, it serves as the ultimate catalyst for a new direction. Gresham Harkless explains that while success is rarely a straight or linear path—often resembling a “plate of spaghetti”—losing a job can actually provide the clarity needed to gain a new professional trajectory. This episode highlights how those navigating career transitions can move past the feeling of a setback and begin building something meaningful by running their own race.

Leveraging Existing Skills for Business Ownership

A central theme of this segment is the realization that professional skills do not disappear when a paycheck does. Harkless emphasizes that background experience in sales, leadership, and project management makes individuals perfectly suited for business ownership, specifically within a franchise system. Because franchising is built on structure and following established processes, it provides a reliable bridge for those who are used to working within a system but are ready to become their own boss.

Practical Wisdom and the Path Forward

Drawing from over 1,600 podcast interviews and a decade of business experience, Harkless shares foundational principles for achieving success: visibility plus resources times connections. He encourages listeners who feel stuck or uncertain to view this season as a time to build rather than just a search for another employer. By exploring options through platforms like Blue Star Franchise, individuals can begin the “liftoff” of their next chapter and take the first steps toward becoming a CEO.

Previous Episode: https://iamceo.co/iam2696-the-blueprint-advantage-what-a-franchise-really-is/

• Blue Star Franchise: bluestarfranchise.com
• Browse the Franchise Inventory: bluestarfranchise.com/franchise
• Is franchising right for you? Check this out to see: bluestarfranchise.com/assessment
• Franchise CEO (A CBNation Site – coming soon) – franchiseceo.co

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Trancription:

Gresham Harkless 00:00
Getting laid off can feel like a punch in the gut. But for many entrepreneurs I talk to and I interview on my podcast, that layoff actually became the launch pad. Now, it's not always easy, not always simple, not a straight, linear path. But when they realized that they didn't just lose a job, they actually gained a direction. If you're building something meaningful, you're in the right place.

This is the I Am CEO podcast. I'm gresh, and for over a decade, I've had the honor and the privilege of learning directly from CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners just like you on how to build. After recording more than 1600 episodes, one thing has become clear. Success isn't about following someone else's blueprint. And as I like to say on the show, if you run your own race, you can't lose. Even when we feel the journey should be a straight and linear path, what I've come to find out is success is a lot more like a plate of spaghetti. So in this special segment and episode, I'm starting to curate and share some CEO hacks and CEO nuggets that I've been dying to share. Drawn from thousands of episodes with phenomenal guests that have provided awesome value on the show, but also my 10 years of business experience as well, too. These lessons are designed to strengthen the foundational principles that every business is built on and guided by a simple equation that we always go back to with our content. Visibility plus resources times connections equals success. This is practical wisdom you can apply almost immediately. So be sure to check out the show notes for more resources and next steps on how to level up. And of course, enjoy this special episode of the I Am CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 01:41

Getting laid off can feel like a punch in the gut. But for many entrepreneurs I talk to and I interview on my podcast, that layoff actually became the launch pad. Now, it's not always easy, not always simple, not a straight linear path. But when they realize that they didn't just lose a job, they actually gained a direction. Now, follow me here. Franchising gives you a bridge from where you were to where you're meant to go. Think about it. Your leadership skills, your project management, your ability to work in a system, those don't just disappear when a paycheck does. In fact, those things like your sales background, your leadership experience, those skills make you perfect for owning a franchise. It's just a matter of finding the right one. You're used to structure, you know how to follow processes. And that's exactly what franchising is built on. Now follow me here on this. Maybe this season isn't a setback. Maybe it's God's way. Whatever you believe in of saying it's time to build your own. Now, entrepreneurship isn't definitely for everybody, and I wouldn't necessarily advocate it for everybody. But I just want you to consider that maybe your next chapter isn't about finding another boss. It might be about becoming the boss. Now, if you've been laid off or just feeling stuck or not sure exactly where you want to go, let's set up a few minutes and explore your options. Head over to our website, bluestartfranchise.com and your liftoff might actually start today. It.