Have you ever had a job you just couldn’t stand? The kind where every day felt like a grind, and deep down, you knew you were capable of so much more? My guest, Shannon Kuykendall, didn’t just think about it—she acted on it. And not in the way most of us would imagine. She didn’t quit. She let herself get fired. Yeah, you heard that right.
That’s what kicked off her entrepreneurial journey. It sounds unconventional, but it worked. Sometimes, when you’re stuck, you don’t need a gentle nudge—you need a push off the cliff. Shannon took that plunge, and today, she runs a successful digital marketing business. Her story is a real reminder that sometimes we need to walk away from something before walking toward what we’re meant to do.
Why Letting Yourself Get Fired Can Be a Smart Move
Shannon was working as a sales assistant for a dental software company. “I hated the job. I hated my manager. It was below me,” she shared. And instead of sticking it out or quitting in a blaze of glory, she played it smart. She started looking for another job while subtly disengaging from the one she had. Eventually, they fired her, but by that time, she was ready.
She didn’t just walk out of a bad situation—she took control. It’s the kind of boldness that every entrepreneur needs. Sometimes, you have to be willing to close one door to open another, even if it feels like a free fall.
Shannon let herself get fired, not as a sign of defeat, but as a strategic move. She wasn’t willing to stay in a role that didn’t match her skills, but she also wasn’t reckless about it. She had a plan, and when the time came, she made her exit on her own terms.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t waste years in a situation that doesn’t suit you.
- You don’t have to quit. Sometimes, letting yourself get fired gives you the time to plan your next step without burning bridges.
- Play the long game. Shannon didn’t just walk out; she made sure she was ready to pivot before taking that leap.
From Freelancing to Running a Full Business
Shannon didn’t wait long after getting fired. She built her first website, hopped onto freelance platforms like Upwork and Guru, and began landing clients. In no time, she was running a virtual assistant business.
But she didn’t stop there. What started as freelance gigs evolved into a full-fledged digital marketing agency. Shannon figured out pretty quickly that trading time for money wasn’t the best way to scale, so she shifted to monthly retainers and larger contracts. Instead of getting paid by the hour, she started building lasting relationships with clients who valued her expertise.
Her transition from freelancer to agency owner wasn’t without its bumps, though. There were hiring mistakes and client losses along the way. But through it all, she adapted, learned, and grew stronger.
What I Learned from Her Experience:
- Freelancing can be the gateway to something bigger. You don’t have to build an empire overnight. Start small, but don’t stay small.
- Know your worth. Shannon started off charging $25 an hour. By the end, she was charging $3,000 a month per client. Don’t be afraid to raise your rates as you grow.
- Mistakes happen—learn from them. Shannon’s business wasn’t immune to setbacks. She hired too fast, lost clients, and had to pivot. But every mistake became a lesson.
Shannon’s journey from freelancing to owning a full-service agency is a reminder that there’s no “right way” to build a business. You figure it out as you go. The key is to keep going, even when things go sideways.
Reflections from the Interview
Talking with Shannon made me realize that success isn’t about having all the answers from the start. It’s about being willing to make decisions, even when they’re uncomfortable, and learn from every experience. Whether it’s getting fired or scaling a business, Shannon showed me that the real value comes from trusting yourself and being adaptable.
As entrepreneurs, we can get caught up in the idea that we need to have everything figured out before we take action. Shannon’s story proves the opposite—you learn by doing, and sometimes by failing.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- You don’t need a perfect plan to start. Shannon built her business by figuring things out as she went along. The only way to learn is to do.
- Value yourself and your time. Don’t stay stuck in a job that doesn’t suit you. And once you’re on your own, don’t sell yourself short.
- Scaling a business is about finding the right clients. Not every client is a good fit. Shannon focused on building long-term relationships with clients who aligned with her goals.
- Be ready to adapt. Mistakes will happen, but how you respond to them determines your success.
- Entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. Shannon’s story is still unfolding, and that’s what makes it exciting.
Final Thoughts
Shannon’s journey isn’t some romanticized version of entrepreneurship. It’s raw, real, and filled with both wins and losses. But what I admire most about her is her willingness to take control of her life—even when it meant getting fired—and build something better for herself.
I think we can all learn from that. We spend so much time holding onto things that don’t serve us, whether it’s a bad job, a client we don’t like, or even a business model that isn’t working. Shannon’s story is a reminder that sometimes the best thing you can do is let go.
CONNECT WITH SHANNON KUYKENDALL:
Website (Company): https://linkherin.com/