March 13, 2020.

I remember the exact moment the floor fell out from under me. Within hours, my industry—meetings and events—was effectively erased.

My business was wiped out.
With no sign of returning.

I’ll be honest: there were moments of sheer panic, and lots of hyperventilating.

But once I caught my breath, I looked at the corner of my desk.

There sat a physical file folder I’d been ignoring for years. It was filled with scribbled notes about LinkedIn, personal branding, and the “crazy” idea that I could help others show up online without losing their souls.

At the time, I didn’t call it a “Next Chapter.” I called it survival.

Fast forward six years to today, March 13, 2026.

This anniversary feels different.
In 2020, I was figuring it all out…. how to head into my Next Chapter (without really calling it that…)
Today, I’m helping others with their Next Chapters.

Over the last 2,190 days, I’ve learned that my next career wasn’t about “reinventing” myself or my brand, it was about refining what was already there.  It was about taking my 15+ years of branding mastery and turning it into a career that I’ve loved!

And here’s what really hit me in those early days….

1. Reputation is a Portable Asset. Your 20+ years of brilliance doesn’t stay in the office when you leave. Your personal brand makes sure of that. Your brilliance may have been invisible inside of your office walls, but the world is your oyster when you come out of the building.

2. Visibility is an Act of Service. I used to think posting on LinkedIn was “tooting my own horn.” Now I know that if you have a solution to someone’s problem, staying invisible is actually a disservice.

3. You Don’t Need a Megaphone. The biggest myth on social media is that you have to become a loud, performative “influencer.” You don’t. Thoughtful visibility is about resonance, not reach. It’s about being sought after because you’re the clearest, not the loudest.

Whether you are heading into your Next Chapter by choice or by “pandemic-style” force, know this: the file on the corner of your desk is waiting for you to open it.

Cheers to the messy, beautiful, lucrative Next Chapter Career,
Leanne

PS. If you’re ready to build a brand and business that attracts high-ticket sales in your Next Chapter, my group coaching program has some spots open for March.  Go here to learn more and save your spot!