“You Don’t Have to Be Perfect”—How Brigitte Cutshall Turned Loss, Cancer, and Corporate Burnout into Creative Freedom
For most of her early career, Brigitte Cutshall did what many Gen Xers were taught to do: get the degree, land the corporate job, climb the ladder. It was the blueprint.
She was good at it, too—working in publishing, communications, and helping brands get their message right. But something always felt slightly off. Like her life belonged to someone else’s definition of success. A definition handed down, not chosen.
Then came cancer. Twice.
Then came layoffs.
And in the space of personal crisis and professional uncertainty, Brigitte made a decision that changed everything:
“I’m not looking for another job. I’m done with the ‘safe’ path. I’m going to create my own.”
What It Really Means to Cut the Tie
When she got laid off from her corporate role—along with a wave of others following a private equity shake-up—it could’ve been the usual next step: polish the resume, find a new job, rebuild.
But Brigitte had been through something more profound.
While juggling career uncertainty, she was also facing cancer. Again.
“When your health is threatened, your perspective changes fast. What used to seem important just fades away. I realized I didn’t want to keep chasing someone else’s idea of success.”
So she made the cut. She stepped away from the illusion of corporate security. She stopped trying to fit into someone else’s box. And she gave herself permission to do something radical: listen to her own voice.
Gemini Media and the Power of Purpose
Brigitte didn’t just want to start a business. She wanted to build something that aligned with her values—resilience, clarity, creativity, and honesty.
That’s how Gemini Media was born.
Not from a five-year plan or an MBA playbook. But from lived experience. From surviving cancer. From raising sons. From working with hundreds of voices over the years who had something important to say but didn’t know how to say it.
“I use the right words. But more importantly, I help people find their right words. And that’s where stories become powerful.”
Today, Gemini Media helps brands, nonprofits, and purpose-driven leaders craft content that actually matters. It’s not about trends or clicks—it’s about human connection.
Success Isn’t a Dollar Amount
Ask Brigitte how she defines success now, and she won’t give you a revenue goal or a job title.
“Success is doing work I care about with people I respect. It’s being able to go for a run when I want. To support my sons. To create on my own terms.”
She never wanted to be a CEO pulling in millions. She wanted to write, to build things that last, and to make a difference. That was enough—and still is.
The Hard Part: The How
It wasn’t easy.
There was doubt. There were days filled with fear. There was cancer treatment and surgery and the lingering scars of both.
But there was also hope.
“Hope is radical when everything feels uncertain. And it gave me fuel to keep going.”
Brigitte leaned on her support system—her sons, her husband, her clients. She stayed curious. She asked for help. And slowly, step by step, she built a business that let her live more fully than any job ever did.
For the Woman (or Man) in the Middle of a Pivot
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career that doesn’t feel like yours…
If you’ve ever battled something that made you question what really matters…
If you’ve ever thought “There has to be more than this”…
Brigitte would tell you:
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be honest.
Ask yourself: What actually brings me joy? What feels aligned? What tie am I afraid to cut—but probably should?
And then, slowly, let yourself do the scariest and most freeing thing of all: trust that your story still has chapters left to write.
Shameless Plug
Brigitte Cutshall is the Founder & Creative Enforcer of Gemini Media, a content development and storytelling agency based in Atlanta.
Born from Brigitte’s journey as a two-time cancer survivor, Gemini Media specializes in helping mission-driven brands, nonprofits, and creators tell stories that connect, inspire, and create real change.
💡 Gemini Media isn’t just about media—it’s about meaning. From books to strategic messaging to multimedia content, Brigitte helps you unearth the heart of your message and share it with the world.
📍 Learn more at: www.brigittecutshall.com
- LinkedIn: Brigitte Cutshall
- Instagram: @brigittecutshall
- YouTube: Real Things Living
📬 Email: bc@brigittecutshall.com
🎙️ For more real, raw founder stories like this, follow host Thomas Helfrich at Cut The Tie Apple Podcast, Cut The Tie Spotify, or connect on LinkedIn.