305. How to go from Founder back to Employee (Without the Shame), with Laurie MacPherson

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning workplace podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture . This week, we are tackling a massive, silent trend affecting thousands of professionals: The Great Reentry .

During the pandemic, thousands of people left their corporate jobs to seek purpose and flexibility in self-employment . But now, six years on, a quiet crisis is happening . Thousands of founders are realizing that business ownership is lonely, financially straining, and exhausting—and they are trying to return to the traditional workforce . The problem? They are drowning in shame, hiding their businesses, and navigating the job market completely wrong .

To help us simplify the science of this messy transition, we are joined by Laurie MacPherson, a brilliant career and LinkedIn mentor who specializes in helping mid-to-senior-level women find their next roles . Laurie delivers a masterclass on how to overcome the internal struggle of "going back," why the modern job market punishes founders who apply blindly, and how to de-risk yourself to recruiters .

🔥 What We Cover in This Episode:

What is 'The Great Reentry'? Laurie breaks down the stark reality behind the post-COVID freelance boom, the isolation of working from home, and the silent shame that keeps former founders from admitting they need a job .

The 437-Applicant Trap: Why firing off cold CVs to job boards is a losing battle for former business owners, and why your next role is sitting directly inside your network .

How to Handle the "Why Are You Leaving?" Question: Laurie shares her exact, bulletproof interview scripts to reframe your business history as a badge of courage rather than a failure .

The BOLD & REAL Frameworks: A deep dive into Laurie's signature acronyms designed to help you own your achievements, tailor your applications like a master tailor, and show up authentically on LinkedIn without sounding like a corporate robot .

The 100 Rejection Challenge: How flipping the script on sales outreach can completely remove the sting of "no" and accelerate your career breakthrough .

🎙️ Key Takeaway Quote from Laurie MacPherson:

"It takes courage to start a business, and it takes equal courage to recognise it's not working and make a change. Frame it as a brave chapter, not a failure. Say it, then stop talking."

🔗 Connect with Laurie MacPherson:

Website: lauriemacpherson.com

LinkedIn: Laurie MacPherson

Instagram: @_laurie_macpherson_

📬 Connect with Al & Leanne:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork

Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott

Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne

Email: [email protected]

Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat

🧠 Mental health support:

UK & ROI — Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org

UK — Mind: Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk

US — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org

Australia — Lifeline: Call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au

Global helplines: https://findahelpline.com

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