Some people dream about entrepreneurship for years. Others realize they’re already acting as entrepreneurs-in-training in their current corporate role – and wonder what’s stopping them from going all in. Brooks Manley found himself in that exact spot. After wearing every “hat” imaginable at a small marketing agency, he decided it was time to wear them for his own business instead. Today, he runs Brooks Manley Marketing, an SEO company supporting small businesses. In this Q&A, Brooks shares what led to his leap – and what he’s learned on the way.
What was your NOPE moment – the moment you knew corporate life wasn’t for you?
I was working at a small marketing agency – not your typical corporate firm – and I had taken on an entire arm of the business. I was doing a little bit of everything: helping with sales and scoping, onboarding clients, delivering the work.
There was one day where in particular when I wore every “hat,” and it hit me: I’m basically running a business already. I thought, what if I just did this on my own? The only thing I really needed to figure out was the sales and accounting side.
How did you take the leap into entrepreneurship?
I floated the idea to my wife, and we ended up doing the classic pros and cons board one day. That made it real. I put in my two weeks’ notice, which actually turned into 10 weeks – but that extension was a blessing because it gave me some runway. I even had a client lined up before I officially left. It was still a huge leap in my career journey, but having that lead time gave me a chance to plan, prep, and ease into an exciting new chapter.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur – and what keeps you going?
I get to make decisions purely based on my values. I can say yes or no to clients according to the right fit, because I don’t have sales quotas hanging over my head. I can offer the services I believe in and skip the ones I don’t. That kind of freedom is incredible.
I also love the flexibility. I usually stick to a regular 8-to-5 workday, but if I want to work a different schedule, I can. I don’t have to ask permission.
And then there’s the growth factor – when you start to see your numbers tick upward and realize there’s no ceiling or parameters like the ones you have in a corporate role? That’s hugely motivating.
If you could give one game-changing piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
For those thinking about taking the leap… Just know that it doesn’t have to be some huge, high-risk move. I was lucky to be in a position where I had a little safety net, but I also planned for it. There are ways to start slow, save up, take out smart loans. People kept telling me I was “brave,” but honestly, it didn’t feel like I was risking everything. I had a structure and a plan. So don’t think you have to bet the whole farm – just be thoughtful and intentional.
And for those already on the path… Build in time to check in with yourself and the business. When you’re running your own company, there’s no manager scheduling one-on-ones or team meetings. It’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day and forget to look at the big picture. Along the way, I found out (sometimes the hard way!) that I needed to reflect more often – on my process, how I attract clients, what’s working, and what’s not. Otherwise, you never get out of the whirlwind where you’re just doing the next urgent thing. But as an entrepreneur, you’re truly building your own future, so you’ve got to make sure you’re actually shaping it the way you want to.
Brooks’ story is one of more to follow – because there’s many ways to take the leap from corporate. Stay tuned for more NOPE moments and bold moves from entrepreneurs who made it happen.