What happens when you spend 30 years climbing the corporate ladder only to realize it is leaning against the wrong wall? In this episode, Karen sits down with Tabatha Jones, executive coach, outplacement specialist, and self-proclaimed Corporate Escape Sherpa. After decades leading high performance teams in the telecom industry, Tabitha rebuilt her entire career at 50, not as a cute pivot but as a full on reinvention.
From 4% to 19%: The Wake Up Call
Tabatha spent 10 years as a project manager, leading three separate teams and some of the largest projects in the telecom industry. When a reorg forced her to reapply for her own job, she aimed higher and applied for the manager role. The offer came back with a 4% pay increase. She turned it down on the spot. Within 15 minutes, the CFO pulled her into an office and asked what it would take. She left that room with a 19% raise and a senior manager title. That moment taught her something she carries into every client relationship today: if you do not advocate for yourself, no one else will.
Building While You Are Still Employed
In 2018, Tabatha sat in a leadership conference and heard a whisper that became a scream: why are you not leading this? She went home, hired a business coach, and started building her coaching practice alongside her corporate job. It was hard. She had to make sacrifices. But by the time she gave three weeks notice in 2021, she had a business ready to go. That is exactly the model she teaches her clients now. Do not leap without a parachute. Build the parachute while you still have a steady paycheck.
The Imposter Syndrome Antidote
One of Tabatha’s signature tools is the “50 things you are most proud of” exercise. Every new client is required to complete it before their first session. The average woman comes back with 15 to 17 items. Why? Because women are list checkers. They accomplish something, check it off, and move to the next thing without ever stopping to acknowledge what they have done. When clients finally sit down and write out their accomplishments, from raising good humans to rescuing dogs to leading teams, something shifts. One client recorded her list into voice memos and played it on her commute every morning. That is how you start rewiring the narrative.
Owning Your Worth
Tabatha coaches women to stop giving all the credit to their teams and start owning their role in driving results. She hears it constantly: does not that sound cocky? Her answer is always the same. If you do not say it, someone else will. And the man interviewing before you is probably saying it and more, taking credit for things he may not have even done. Whether you are negotiating a raise, pitching in an interview, or setting your coaching rate, knowing your worth is not arrogance. It is survival.
Why Now
Tabatha’s message is simple: it is never too late. She knows someone who started a business at 60. She works with nurses, educators, tech professionals, and corporate leaders who are all discovering the same thing. You do not have to sit at a desk until you die. You can start building something you love while you are still collecting a paycheck. Get your debts paid down, build a runway account, find the right foundation, and go.
About Tabatha Jones
Tabiaha Jones is an executive coach, outplacement specialist, and the Corporate Escape Sherpa. She spent over 30 years in the corporate world, including 20 years leading technical teams in the telecom industry, before leaving at age 50 to build her coaching business full time. She works primarily with midlife women who want to launch coaching or consulting businesses while still employed. She offers individual four month coaching programs and a group membership community with AI powered business building tools.
Connect with Tabatha:
Ready to write your list of 50? This conversation is your invitation.
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