Plot Twist: Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship
Over the last six years, there’s been an enormous boom of professionals ditching their 9-5 for more flexibility, diverse revenue streams, and to build new solutions for today’s challenges. While this path can be quite rewarding, it can also come with isolation, doubt, burnout from taking on too much, and navigating new terrain with minimal guidance.
If you’re on an entrepreneurial path or at a crossroads and wondering if it's time to make a change, you won’t want to miss this.
We’ll kick off the day with a workshop designed to help you identify your current priorities, you'll hear from people who have made the leap, and you’ll have a chance to meet and talk with other folks who are pondering the same questions as you. Speakers will lead discussions, but insights from fellow attendees will be encouraged and equally valuable.
Priya Achaibar is the CEO & Co-Founder of Thena, a system that applies technology to build life intentionally. Early in her career, she realized she wanted her work to be focused on impact and has been building toward that ever since. From consulting and leading programs in healthcare AI at GE to running operations and strategy for a growing startup, each pivot has been a deliberate move toward work that aligns with her core values. Through Thena, she is empowering professionals at different stages of their career to do the same.
Matt Handy is the Founder of HazelGray, a fractional marketing team built for founders who don't have time to waste. A former professional soccer player who hung up his boots after six knee surgeries, Matt traded the pitch for the startup world and never looked back. He's taken multiple companies from early stage to category leader across healthcare, sustainability, consumer brands, and beyond... bringing the same relentless, move-fast energy from the field to every campaign he touches.
Meredith Farley is the CEO and Founder of Medbury, an agency that helps executives and founders turn their experience into credible thought leadership on LinkedIn. Before starting Medbury, Meredith spent more than a decade in senior leadership roles at a global content marketing agency, including serving as Chief Product Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Meredith is also a member of Chief and Women Using AI and is the host of Content People, Medbury’s podcast.
Matt Bogart has produced properties for publishers like Entertainment Weekly and Rotten Tomatoes, along with developing audio content for companies like JPMorgan Chase, TikTok, and others. He has launched and overseen audio shows that have been recognized by Apple Podcasts, the Webbys, Amazon, Signal Awards, TODAY, GMA, and many others. He is currently producing This Old House Radio Hour, the fastest-growing public radio show since the launch of The New York Times’ The Daily.
The panel & roundtable discussion will be moderated by Work Friends Founder & Creator Partnerships Advisor, Meredith Jacobson. Meredith is an independent consultant who has facilitated over $10m in partnerships on behalf of brand, agency, and creator clients.