Five years ago, I lost more than just a job—I lost what I thought was my identity. After years in the corporate world, I suddenly found myself untethered, unsure of my next move, and questioning everything about who I was. When work is all you’ve known, and it’s taken away, you don’t just lose a paycheck—you lose a sense of self.

Sitting in That Parking Lot...

I still remember the exact moment that fear took over. I was sitting in my car in the parking lot of City Furniture, about to attend my first-ever networking meeting. I had connected with Kelly Merbler through LinkedIn, and she was hosting an in-person event.

I had never done anything like this before. My hands were gripping the steering wheel, my mind racing with doubts:
❓ I’m 52 years old—what the hell am I doing here?
❓ I don’t know anyone. What if everyone already knows each other?
❓ What will they think of me? Do they all have jobs? Why am I even here?

The fear of the unknown was crippling—but somehow, I pushed myself to step out of the car and walk in. And that’s when everything changed.

The Moment Everything Shifted

The second I walked through the doors, Kelly Merbler greeted me like I belonged. It wasn’t forced or obligatory—it was genuine. She saw me, she welcomed me, and in that moment, she unknowingly became the first person to help me reclaim a part of myself.

What started as one terrifying networking event turned into a beautiful friendship. Not only did Kelly teach me about my strengths, but she also gave me the confidence and the platform to share my voice—to help others who, like me, had lost themselves after job loss.

Meet my mentor Kelly Merbler below.