Nicole Walters on Finding Purpose and Building an Exit Strategy to Success
When Your Job Makes You Sick
Have you ever felt physically ill at work? Not just from stress, but a deeper feeling that something isn’t right? According to business strategist and entrepreneur Nicole Walters, that’s a real phenomenon. When your workplace doesn’t align with your purpose, it can manifest in physical symptoms—what she describes as being “creatively suppressed.” Instead of staying stuck, Walters took action, building an exit strategy that transformed her life.
As a former top corporate executive, Walters left her job in a bold and unconventional way—quitting live on Periscope in front of 10,000 people. Today, she’s a highly sought-after business coach, CEO of the Inherit Learning Company, and the star of the USA Network’s reality show She’s the Boss. In a conversation on Heal Squad with Maria Menounos, Walters shared the mindset shifts and practical strategies that allowed her to make the leap into entrepreneurship, and why you don’t have to choose between financial stability and following your passion.
The Turning Point: Recognizing the Signs of a Misaligned Career
Many people dream of quitting their jobs, but Walters actually did it. The problem wasn’t that she wasn’t good at her job—she was one of the youngest, most successful people in her division. But she couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling that her skills weren’t being used in the way they were meant to be.
“You spend so much of your life hitting other people’s goals and doing what you’re obligated to do,” Walters shared. “And sometimes, you lose sight of what it is that you want to do.”
She describes a sense of unease that only grew stronger, leading her to realize that she needed to take control of her own future. But instead of impulsively walking away, she built an exit strategy.
How to Build an Exit Strategy Instead of Just Quitting
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to leave their jobs, Walters explained, is thinking of it as quitting instead of hiring yourself. Rather than taking a blind leap into the unknown, she crafted a step-by-step plan to transition into entrepreneurship.
Here’s how she did it—and how you can too:
1. Start Your Business on the Side
Instead of immediately walking away from her job, Walters began working on her business during nights and weekends—what she calls “homing from work.”
“I needed to generate revenue before I left,” she said. “So I started small—helping people with their legal and financial business setup, sharing my expertise online, and slowly building my client base.”
2. Test Your Idea and Monetize It
Rather than waiting for the “perfect idea,” Walters looked at what she was already good at and figured out how to turn that into income.
“If you are great at organizing your kids, there’s a mom out there who will pay you for those same strategies,” she explained. “Find what you’re already doing, tweak it, and offer it to others.”
3. Know When It’s Time to Leave
Eventually, Walters hit a tipping point—her side hustle was making more money than her job. That’s when she knew it was time to officially hire herself.
“I couldn’t say no to the opportunities in front of me anymore,” she said. “I had to leave—I didn’t even have a choice.”
Fear is the Biggest Barrier—Here’s How to Overcome It
For many people, fear is what keeps them trapped in a job they hate. Walters understands this firsthand but says the key is reframing the way you think about risk.
“If you don’t have an exit strategy, quitting feels like jumping into a black void,” she said. “But if you paint a picture of where you’re going, it becomes a transition—not a leap.”
Fear doesn’t go away—it’s part of the process. But when you shift your mindset from “What if I fail?” to “What if I succeed?”, everything changes.
Lessons from a Self-Made Millionaire
Today, Walters runs a debt-free, multimillion-dollar business, has built a platform that empowers women to create financial independence, and lives a life that aligns with her purpose. But she never forgets where she came from.
As the child of hardworking African immigrants, she was raised with a strong work ethic but also absorbed limiting beliefs about what was possible. Through therapy and mindset work—including EMDR therapy to break through past conditioning—she learned to embrace success instead of fearing it.
Now, she helps others do the same.
Final Takeaway: You Can Build the Life You Want
Walters believes anyone can design a career that fits their purpose while still providing financial security. Her advice? Stop waiting for permission, stop being afraid of success, and start building your exit strategy now.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it.
For more healing and wellness tips, be sure to subscribe to Heal Squad with Maria Menounos via YouTube or Apple Podcasts.
