Taking the Leap: Leadership, Growth, and Reinventing Your Career
When I sat down with my longtime friend and former colleague, Yolanda Moran, for an episode of Inspiring Conversations, I knew we were in for a rich and meaningful discussion. Yolanda and I have shared years of laughter, challenges, and career highs, and it was a pleasure to dive into her journey – from her early days in leadership to the bold decision to start her own business.
Yolanda’s story is a powerful lesson in reinvention, resilience, and the importance of trusting yourself.
From High Achiever to Business Owner
Yolanda grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs. With parents who ran their own businesses, she learned early on that success was built through hard work, self-reliance, and taking ownership. It was no surprise that she quickly carved out a path for herself in leadership roles, starting with Flight Centre, where she worked her way up to Vice President of Retail Operations in Canada and later, VP of Leadership and Learning for the Americas.
Reflecting on her time there, she said, “I always say, I grew up in that company. I learned so much. The experiences and opportunities were remarkable.”
But after 18 years, she found herself at a crossroads. With a young son and the desire for more balance, she made the difficult decision to leave the corporate world and move to the Okanagan in British Columbia to start her own coaching and leadership development consultancy.
Was it terrifying? Absolutely.
But as she shared, “I realized that I thrive when I can make decisions with full autonomy that align with my values. I didn’t think I would find that freedom in somebody else’s organization.”
The Challenges of Running Your Own Business
Starting a business after decades in a structured corporate environment came with unexpected lessons.
One of the biggest? Patience.
Yolanda admitted that as a high achiever, she was used to setting goals and hitting them quickly. But entrepreneurship doesn’t always work that way.
“Even with the best plan, unexpected things come up. You have to be patient with yourself, give yourself grace, and trust the process.”
Another challenge? Going from leading large teams to being a solopreneur.
“I love being part of a team, and I still contract and collaborate, but ultimately, I’m on my own. That sense of camaraderie is something I miss.”
And then there’s the financial side. After 20 years of receiving a pay cheque every two weeks, suddenly managing cash flow, revenue ups and downs, and business expenses was a whole new world.
“The experience has stretched me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s not always easy, but I’d never trade it.”
The Power of Personal Growth and Hypnotherapy
Recently, Yolanda added a new dimension to her coaching practice: hypnotherapy.
At first, she was sceptical, but after seeing its potential, she incorporated it into her executive coaching work. And the results have been incredible.
She shared the story of a client who was crippled by anxiety when presenting to senior executives. Through hypnotherapy sessions, she was able to shift her mindset and deliver a 10-minute presentation with confidence—something that once felt impossible.
Another client, newly promoted, was struggling with imposter syndrome. Through hypnotherapy, they worked on reframing limiting beliefs and replacing them with a stronger sense of self-assurance.
“It’s not as out there as people might think,” Yolanda explained. “Think of it as a guided meditation that helps reset your nervous system and reinforce positive behaviours.”
Advice for Anyone Wanting to Start Their Own Business
Yolanda had some incredible advice for anyone thinking about stepping away from corporate life to start something of their own:
- Don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Talk to mentors and trusted colleagues before making the leap.
- Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Fill in the gaps with experts—whether it’s finance, marketing, or operations.
- Trust yourself. Things won’t always go according to plan, but if you stay true to your values and adapt, success will follow.
Yolanda’s journey is proof that reinvention is possible—and sometimes, the scariest decisions lead to the most rewarding outcomes.
If you’ve ever thought about stepping out on your own, what’s holding you back? Let’s start the conversation.
You can listen to the interview in in full here on Spotify and you can connect with Yolanda on LinkedIn.
