Every once in a while, I get a guest on Never Been Promoted who reminds me what it really means to take the leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship. My conversation with Jason Abell, the president of Rewire, was one of those moments. He left behind a 20-year career in mortgage banking to start a coaching and development company. It wasn’t an easy move, but his story proves that sometimes, you just have to trust yourself and take the plunge.
Jason didn’t have it all figured out when he started. In fact, most of us don’t when we start something new. But what stood out to me is his unwavering belief in the power of getting into motion and trusting the process. So, let’s break it down into a couple of points that really stood out during our chat—lessons anyone can learn from, whether you’re already running a side hustle or still dreaming about leaving your 9 to 5.
1. You Can’t Steer a Stationary Bike: Start Moving
One of my favorite parts of the conversation was when Jason hit me with a simple yet powerful analogy that I’ll be borrowing from now on: “A bicycle is a lot easier to steer once the wheels are moving.” That’s the crux of it. A lot of people sit around waiting for the perfect moment, for everything to line up. But Jason didn’t wait. He knew that even if his next step wasn’t perfect, it was better than standing still.
Back in his mortgage banking days, Jason had a good gig going. It paid well, and he had some level of fulfillment. But deep down, he knew that coaching was his real passion. It was that voice in the back of his head saying, “You’re meant for something more.” And for years, he ignored it, thinking that stability was enough. But eventually, he couldn’t push it aside any longer.
The move wasn’t seamless, though. It was slow at first—like trying to balance on a stationary bike. But once Jason got into motion, things started to happen. He started Rewire without knowing exactly where it would go, but because he was willing to make a move, the direction became clear.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Momentum matters: Don’t wait for the “right” time. Get into motion, even if it’s small steps.
- Stop overthinking: Action brings clarity, not endless contemplation.
- Leverage what you have now: Use your current job or side hustle to fund your bigger dreams—Jason called it using your employer as your “angel investor.”
2. Be Bold, Even When You’re Unsure
One thing Jason made clear during our conversation was this: confidence isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting that you’ll figure it out. When he walked away from a 20-year career in mortgage banking, he wasn’t sure how it would all pan out. But he knew one thing: he had to go all in.
“You’ve got to jump over the stream, not just tiptoe on the edge,” Jason said, describing that critical moment when he decided to leave behind his steady paycheck. It wasn’t just about taking a risk; it was about fully committing to it. There’s no halfway in entrepreneurship. You’ve got to burn the bridges behind you and make sure there’s no easy way back.
Jason didn’t start Rewire with everything in place. In fact, the company didn’t fully know what it was going to become. He even admitted that they didn’t have all the details hammered out when they began. But that didn’t stop him. The thing about entrepreneurship is that you figure it out as you go, and Jason leaned into that uncertainty.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Commit fully: Half-measures won’t cut it. If you’re in, be all in.
- Ignore the naysayers: Whether it’s friends or family, there will always be people who question your choices. But their fears aren’t your problem.
- Declare your intentions: Once Jason announced he was leaving mortgage banking for coaching, there was no turning back. It held him accountable.
3. Reflections from the Interview
Listening to Jason’s journey brought up some personal reflections. I think a lot of us—whether we’re running our own businesses or still in corporate—get stuck because we’re afraid to make bold moves. Jason’s story is a reminder that fear is natural, but it can’t be the thing that holds you back.
His first customer? It came from someone who already knew his value. That was another takeaway. You don’t have to go looking in far-off places for your first client. Often, it’s someone close to you who already trusts you. For Jason, it was a sales guy he had worked with in mortgage banking. It’s proof that walking the walk in your current role can open up opportunities you never expected.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Start with what you know: Your first customer is likely someone already in your network.
- Trust the process: You won’t have everything figured out right away, but that’s okay. Keep moving forward.
- Boldness is underrated: Playing it safe won’t get you where you want to be.
- Confidence comes from action: You don’t need to know everything before you start. Just get started.
- Your network is everything: The people around you—whether they’re friends, family, or colleagues—are your biggest resource.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from Jason’s story, it’s that waiting around won’t get you anywhere. There’s no perfect moment, no “right” time to start. It’s about taking bold steps, trusting yourself, and learning as you go. Whether you’re looking to start your own business, grow a side hustle, or take a career leap, the time to start is now. Don’t wait for everything to align.
Jason’s journey is worth a listen. He shares some amazing insights that can help you push past your fears and make things happen.
CONNECT WITH JASON:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rewirejason/
Website: https://www.rewireinc.com/ (Company)
Website: http://sadiesgift.org/ (Personal)
Email: jason@rewireinc.com