Pam didn’t always picture herself as an entrepreneur. In fact, for most of her career, she was what she called a “company girl” – embedded in the corporate world and rising through the ranks. But sometimes, the path you think you’re on takes a surprising and fulfilling turn. After leaving a role that seemed like her dream job on paper, Pam found clarity, space to breathe, and a new direction she hadn’t expected. Today, she leads PS SQUARED Advisors, a boutique consulting firm that helps organizations align culture, employee experience, and talent strategy in ways that actually deliver on their promises to people. Here’s how she made the leap.
What was your NOPE moment – the moment you knew corporate life wasn’t for you?
At the time, my last corporate role was everything I thought I wanted. But when I got laid off, I realized I was mentally and physically exhausted. I was fortunate to have severance and the ability to take the summer off, so I didn’t think much about what was next; I just focused on getting healthy.
As fall rolled around and I started to look for new roles, I didn’t intentionally say NOPE to corporate. It unfolded naturally. A former colleague called about a role leading Talent Management, and I was also talking with headhunters about various open roles. I’d get excited on the calls, but afterward, I just felt drained. I realized I was trying to get back into something I had just worked so hard to recover from.
If you had told me six years ago that I’d be running my own firm, I never would’ve believed you. But the more I looked for the “right” corporate job, the more I realized that it no longer fit the next chapter I wanted for myself.
How did you take the leap into entrepreneurship?
It started with a small project from a colleague. It wasn’t quite a full-time role, but she needed help and asked me to send over a project proposal. I had never written a proposal before – thank goodness for Google! One step led to the next. Honestly, it’s not that hard to set up your own business – just a few hours online and a small fee.
At first, I thought consulting would be an interim gig while I figured out my next full-time role. But then someone else asked me to design and facilitate a workshop. And then another opportunity came in. One thing led to another, and here I am, 5 years later!
While I haven’t closed the door on the possibility of going back to corporate, there are definitely parts I don’t miss. For example, the higher I climbed in a company, the more hesitant I became to speak up. Now, I feel fearless. I’m not chasing a promotion – I’m focused on giving the best advice and doing what’s right. That shift is incredibly freeing.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur – and what keeps you going?
I love the variety. The entrepreneurial journey reawakened a curiosity in me that had been dormant. In corporate, I kept my skills sharp, but the work became very repetitive. Now, I have the time and space to keep learning, to try new things, and to grow.
After years of working with a wide range of clients, I’ve come to realize that I’m not the right fit for everyone – and not everyone is the right fit for me. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s a good thing. Doing work that aligns with my values and finding clients that match my approach makes it all so much more meaningful.
If you could give one game-changing piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
You don’t have to say NOPE forever. Sometimes just saying NOPE for now is enough to test the waters of entrepreneurship. That mindset can take a lot of pressure off.
Here are a few more lessons I’ve learned:
- Map your network. Not just for drumming up business, but for a range of support. Who do you already know? Who can you turn to for advice? Where are your knowledge gaps? As an example, when I first started, I didn’t know much about marketing and had no one in that space I could call. I had to find those connections.
- Invest in tools that support you. There are so many great (and affordable) tech options now. One of my smartest moves was getting a tool called Harvest to track my time. It helps me understand how I’m spending my energy and where my value lies.
- Know your non-negotiables. One of mine is controlling my calendar. I love setting my own schedule, but if I’m not intentional about blocking time, the whole week fills up before I know it.
- Check in regularly. Every September, I carve out time for a deep dive into my business and life. I look at where I’m headed and ask myself: Am I still growing in the ways I want to – personally and professionally? It’s so easy to get caught in a cycle of just getting things done. But taking time to reflect helps me stay aligned with my bigger goals.
Pam’s path may be unique, but she’s one of many carving a new direction – more stories to come!