Rescoping Your Role: A Real Example of What It Can Look Like
Negotiating a schedule shift, launching a side business, and building toward a big leap - how one mom did
GOOD MORNING, everyone.
Spent the better part of the night in my nearly 2-year-old’s crib trying to get him to go back to sleep - and now rushing to get this out the door before taking him (completely unfazed by the lack of sleep and ready to TAKE the day) and my 4 year old to the zoo. A good reminder of why I’m so thankful for this day off and for not having to look remotely presentable to anyone today.
Engaging with all of you who subscribe and DM on socials (my “user research”) has been the biggest guiding star for Both& - and yesterday, I ran a poll yesterday asking what topic you most wanted to hear about.
The winning vote (by far) was:
“How to bring up a schedule or role adjustment with my boss.”
With the close second,
“How to explore consulting or my own thing before leaving my job.”
So today I’m trying something a little different - sharing a full-text interview from one of my favorite submissions to Both& that touches on EXACTLY those two topics: (now) executive coach Jessica Galica (LinkedIn here). She shared so honestly and thoroughly how she made small shifts inside her corporate job before ultimately moving into her own coaching business.
I know you’ll get so much goodness out of this.
Thanks for sharing your story with us, Jess. Maybe let’s start with this… tell me about the moment you realized you needed a change?
A decade into my career, I still felt unfulfilled. That feeling became even more pronounced when I became a mother for the first time. I had a deep longing for my kids to grow up being true to themselves—and it made me realize I wasn’t doing the same in my own career. I wanted work that felt both meaningful and aligned with who I was becoming.
What were your biggest concerns about making this change?
Financial impact and fear. Walking away from a stable, high-earning corporate salary wasn’t easy—it took mental courage and a willingness to accept the tradeoffs. My husband and I made intentional choices, including postponing major investments like moving into a new home, to give me the space to take this leap.
Preparing for a Shift
How did you prepare for your shift - what did you ask of your boss at the time?
As the author of Leap and an executive coach, I’ve studied the career trajectories of 150+ women—and I know that major career shifts rarely happen overnight. I took a strategic approach, launching my business as a side hustle in 2020 and steadily growing it over several years before transitioning full-time. Along the way, I also negotiated a 50% role at my company, giving me the flexibility to build my business while being a present parent.
What specifically did you ask for? (e.g., 4-day workweek, remote work, reduced travel)
Before leaving my corporate job entirely, I negotiated a 50% work arrangement. I proposed a structured schedule—working full days on Mondays and Tuesdays, plus a half-day on Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, I dedicated time to independent work and was unavailable for meetings. This setup ensured both predictability for my team and clear boundaries for my availability.
Who did you ask, and how did you frame the conversation?
I pitched the idea to my manager, knowing this was the first time anyone in the company had proposed a 50% role. I positioned it as a strategic business case—demonstrating how the arrangement could benefit both the company and me. The timing worked well with organizational changes, as a peer manager was taking on a larger team and could benefit from “Chief of Staff”–like support while growing into the role. By presenting it as a retention strategy rather than a step back, I showed how this arrangement could be mutually beneficial.
What pushback did you receive, and how did you handle it?
One tradeoff was stepping away from direct people management. Leadership wasn’t open to testing a part-time management model, which was disappointing—I believed I could have effectively led a team even at 50%. However, I recognized their concerns, and flexibility was my priority. I made peace with the tradeoff, knowing it was a temporary shift. A year and a half later, I returned to managing an even larger team of 10, validating that stepping away didn’t mean closing the door on leadership opportunities.
What was your final agreement, and how has it worked for you?
I secured exactly what I asked for—50% pay, continued healthcare benefits (with a higher employee contribution), and prorated holiday/PTO benefits. My workdays remained as planned, and I enforced strong boundaries around meetings. The arrangement gave me the space to build my coaching business while staying engaged in a meaningful corporate role.
Bottom Line:
I succeeded because I was willing to rescope my role, set clear boundaries, and lean on my strong performance record. By demonstrating my value to the company and making it easy for leadership to say “yes,” I was able to create a work arrangement that worked for me—and ultimately helped pave the way for my next career move.
The Transition Timeline
Tell us more about the transition from your adjusted schedule to your own business:
My transition unfolded over four years. In 2020, I planted the seeds—training as a coach and researching career pivots by interviewing successful women. In 2021, I downshifted to a 50% role. In 2023, I published my book and returned to a full-time leadership role managing a team of 10. By 2024, I was ready to resign and fully commit to my business, having built a foundation through years of coaching on the side.
What financial planning played into all of this?
Financial security played a big role in my timing. I analyzed our spending in detail and worked with a financial planner to map out our long-term goals—college savings, a future home, and more. My goal was to ensure I could make zero income for two years and still be financially stable. I took a conservative approach, which gave me confidence in my decision.
Did you take time off between “corporate work” and your own gig—or did you start something new right away?
At first, I jumped in immediately. But then I felt an undeniable pull to slow down. Leaving corporate, publishing a book, and navigating two pregnancies—including one high-risk—had been a whirlwind. That summer, I intentionally stepped back to recover from burnout and process the changes. By fall, I was ready to fully reengage. I don’t regret that pause—it was necessary and incredibly impactful.
How did you feel during those first few months?
It was a rollercoaster! At first, excitement and momentum. Then, a slower period of adjustment. When I fully committed to building my business, the highs and lows continued—big wins followed by moments of doubt. Coaching was familiar and energizing; entrepreneurship was new and uncertain. Learning to embrace both has been a journey in itself.
🚀 Starting the Business
How did you really start your own consulting?
I started with a content strategy—publishing regularly on LinkedIn and laying the groundwork for my book. From a marketing perspective, I kept it simple: I built a basic website on Squarespace. But the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that business comes from your network. Content is great, but the people who know you and have worked with you directly are the ones most likely to hire you again. Lately, I’ve leaned into this even more.
What did you invest in first (LLC formation, website, branding, networking, etc.)?
I invested in a coach. It was the biggest financial investment I had ever made in myself—and it was absolutely worth it. Having a coach helped me not only in building my business but also in navigating my corporate career. As a business owner, a coach or advisor is the first thing I recommend. They provide strategic guidance, accountability, and an impartial thought partner to help you avoid common pitfalls and stay on track.
How did you find your first client or customer?
Network, network, network! Your first client is probably already in your orbit. Start with the people who know and trust you. I also believe in service-based selling—focus on adding value and giving people a real experience of what you do. In my case, that meant offering coaching sessions to build relationships. When you lead with value, the rest falls into place.
Challenges & Mindset Shifts
What were the hardest parts of making this change?
The financial pressure was one of the biggest challenges. I was moving from a place of financial security to a situation where things felt much tighter—it was a lot to navigate. There was both the practical reality of a lower household income and the emotional weight of it: the guilt, insecurity, and self-doubt that came with prioritizing my ideal career over a stable corporate paycheck.
In many ways, the mindset shift was just as hard—if not harder—than the financial impact itself. The guilt I felt was often self-imposed, stemming from the fear that I was creating financial stress for my family. When those thoughts crept in, I reminded myself that this wasn’t just a personal decision; it was a decision for my family, too. It allowed me to spend more time with my kids, show up as a happier, more fulfilled person, and build a sustainable career aligned with my values. Most importantly, I was modeling for my children what it means to pursue purpose and fulfillment—not just financial stability.
Did you struggle with self-doubt? If so, how did you work through it?
Absolutely! Having a coach has been incredibly impactful in helping me navigate self-doubt. But the most effective way I’ve found to overcome it is simple: take action. Instead of staying stuck in doubt or overthinking, I focus on moving forward. The more I do, the less room there is for hesitation. Self-doubt fades when you prove to yourself—through action—that you're capable. Action is the best antidote to self-doubt.
What did you not expect to be challenging, but it was?
I expected challenges in generating clients and managing finances, but what caught me off guard were the operational hurdles of running my own business. Things like setting up accounting systems, choosing the right CRM platform, and handling the backend logistics were more complex than I anticipated. It’s one thing to build a business around your expertise—it’s another to manage all the moving parts that keep it running smoothly.
What Worked (and What Didn’t)
What were the smartest things you did to make this transition easier?
Hiring a coach – Having the right support and guidance was invaluable in navigating this transition.Setting clear work-life boundaries – I established a structured schedule, working from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This allows me to spend mornings with my kids, prioritize my own well-being (like fitting in a workout), and be fully present with my family in the late afternoons and evenings.
Prioritizing networking – I leaned into my existing network and made connecting a priority. Each week, I aim to reconnect with two people in my network and reach out to one new person—simply to build relationships and stay engaged.
What mistakes did you make, and what would you do differently?
Not fully leveraging my network – I placed too much emphasis on my LinkedIn community and “official content” while undervaluing the power of direct connections. If I could do it again, I’d focus on both simultaneously.
Hiring a VA too soon – I brought in a virtual assistant before I was truly ready. Early on, it’s important to handle things yourself first—to understand the processes and refine them—before delegating to a contractor or VA.
Did you set any specific boundaries to protect your time, energy, or finances?
Yes, I work from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM each day. I also (imperfectly) aim for slower Fridays and reserve Mondays for non-client work—admin, networking, and strategic planning. This creates a gentler start and end to the week, allowing me to focus my client sessions in the middle when I’m most locked in.
Tools & Resources
What specific tools, services, or resources helped you?
Legal & Business Formation: LegalZoom, local small business centers, SCORE mentorship
Career Pivot Resources: The Pivot Book & Podcast, industry-specific LinkedIn groups
Networking & Professional Support: Women’s networking groups, alumni associations, Mixing Board (for marketing/comms professionals)
Financial Planning: Financial advisors, budgeting apps, personal savings strategies
Mindset & Emotional Support: Therapy, coaching, specific support groups
Any recs for people to read, join, or look into for ongoing support?
Perspectives on work: The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd, The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff
Career pivots or “corporate crises” for women: Leap: Why It’s Time to Let Go to Get Ahead in Your Career
Platform for moms considering pauses, downshifts, or pivots in and around motherhood: Mother Untitled by Neha Ruch
Slack networking groups for women: the old girls club by Mallory Contois, Founding Women by Liz Tenety
Final Reflections
#1 piece of advice - what would you tell anyone considering this path?
Hire a coach. And leverage your network—those connections can be invaluable.
What do you wish someone had told you before you made this transition?
You can absolutely do this, but things will take longer than you expect. Patience is key.
How do you define success now, and how has it changed from before?
Before, success was all about traditional status symbols: title, income, the size of the team I was managing, and how “impressive” my work seemed.
Now, success is about:
Am I truly enjoying the work I’m doing?
Am I generating the income I want?
Can I be a more present mom to my kids?
If someone is scared to make a change, what would you say to them?
Take the time to understand the root of your fear—you can’t address it until you know what it is. And remember, sometimes the biggest risk is not taking any risk at all.
Are you open to connecting with anyone with more questions?
Absolutely!
📎 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessgalica/
📧 Email: jess@reclaimyourcareer.co
🌐 Website: www.jessicagalica.com
Want more stories like this?
You can find this one—and many more like it—at Both&. And if you have your own story of staying, shifting, or stepping away, I’d love to hear it. You can submit it here: https://egcy3k782xj.typeform.com/to/HwLsXTLt
Until next week!
Kaleana