Former expats put down roots in Florida and relied on career coaching to help them explore their options, possibilities, and dreams to launch their second act as entrepreneurs.
Longtime business consultant Randy Stott and his wife, Jolene, spent the last 11 years living overseas in the bustling city of Abu Dhabi. During the family’s tenure in the Middle East, Randy and his team led the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which supports the sovereign wealth funds of the United Arab Emirates. Randy was head of organizing, planning, and development for ADIA. Prior to moving to the Middle East, Randy founded Uncommon Business Group Consulting. Ready for a new adventure and a slower lifestyle, the couple moved back to the United States and retired to Florida to be close to family.
After only a few months of living a life of leisure, Randy realized he wasn’t ready to retire. Randy and Jolene wanted to create an income stream to build wealth over the next 10 years. The pair decided to search for a business they could start as a team when they connected with Deborah Lutner, a Career Ownership Coach™ with The Entrepreneur’s Source.
“We lived out of the country for a long time, so we were starting from scratch when it came to developing a business network,” Randy said. “I enjoyed owning my own business. I liked the independence and the ability to grow the business myself.”
Coaching Helps Couple Find New Path
TES helps individuals explore and navigate entrepreneurship as a career path. Founded by Terry Powell in 1984, TES helps people achieve their dreams of business ownership while mitigating risks and uncertainties. Our coaches offer guidance and support throughout the launching and running of a business. Career coaching is beneficial for individuals who are seeking advice and support in their professional lives by helping them identify their goals, strengths, and skills.
Lutner began her coaching business last year after spending 20 years working in healthcare.
“I got tired of money over the mission,” Lutner said. “I spent 20 years in healthcare, where I did a lot of coaching and mentoring. I love building people up. I was always inspired by a lot of other coaches and wanted to bring that level of inspiration, motivation, and encouragement to my new role.”
Lutner started the coaching process by helping Randy and Jolene identify their Income, Lifestyle, Wealth, and Equity™ goals. They have five adult children and 18 grandchildren. Randy and Jolene wanted a flexible business that would provide them with a reliable income and stable future. After traveling across the globe for work, the couple wanted to impact the local community and lay down roots in Florida.
“From the beginning, Randy had an open mind. He was curious and willing to learn, which helped him as he explored different possibilities,” Lutner said.
Initially, the pair contemplated opening two businesses to meet their needs. But when a home health care option they were considering fell through, the couple set their sights on a consulting company with a solid reputation. Schooley Mitchell helps businesses reduce expenses in various areas, including telecommunications, merchant services, waste management, small package shipping, and utilities, without sacrificing quality or service. Attending the company’s annual conference in Jamaica gave the pair the confidence they needed to start a new future.
“Schooley Mitchell allowed me to target medium-sized businesses. My whole career, I consulted global companies. I usually got on a plane Monday, and if I was lucky, I came home on Friday. I was tired of that lifestyle. Schooley Mitchell allowed me to help my local small business community,” Randy added.
Randy will use his consulting experience to build a client base, and Jolene plans to tackle back-office administration and manage client relationships. Working together will allow them to scale the business and tackle any challenges as a team.
“Deborah was amazing. She was patient and supportive. She did a good job looking at the skills both of us had to find something that we could both enjoy,” Jolene said.
Learn More About Entrepreneurship
If you are enduring a career transition or want to generate an income after you retire, contact a Career Ownership Coach™ to learn more about business ownership. For more information about TES, visit www.entrepreneurssource.com or check out our latest guidebook, “Your Career Revolution: Reimagine and Reclaim the Life of Your Dreams.”