Junaid introduces Michelle and discusses their connection via Threads and the power of short form audio.

Introduction and Connection

Michelle shares the story of being fired in 2016 and how it forced her to pivot from healthcare to marketing.

The Catalyst for Change

Discussing her experience building the marketing foundation for a startup that was later acquired by P&G.

Building Mielle Organics

The moment Michelle decided to go all in on her own agency and how she secured her first clients.

Betting on Yourself

Advice on starting small with one client rather than building a complex website first.

The One Client Method

How to use Google Calendar and strict scheduling to balance business, family, and hobbies.

Managing Multiple Passions

Overcoming the mindset that it is too late to start a new career or business later in life.

Reinventing After 40

Quick questions on big leaps, sports analogies for business, and mindset shifts.

Rapid Fire Questions

Getting fired feels like the end, but for Michelle Thames, it was the spark for a multimillion dollar shift. From healthcare administration to launching a beauty blog and managing marketing for a major brand acquired by P&G, Michelle reveals her path to pivoting with purpose. She breaks down exactly how to turn a side hustle into a main business without overwhelming yourself. Discover the specific calendar strategy that keeps her focused and why starting with just one client is the secret to scaling. If you fear it is too late to start over, this conversation proves otherwise.

We connected through threads, which is like, what threads is alive, and threads is really powerful.

Social media platform where the host and guest connected.

Threads

It was a startup company, a beauty brand. It's called Mayo organics. They are now a multi million dollar brand.

Beauty brand where the guest worked and helped build their marketing foundation.

Mielle Organics

They have been acquired by Procter and Gamble so I really helped to set the foundation.

Major corporation that acquired the startup the guest worked for.

Procter & Gamble

My Google Calendar. I love my Google Calendar. It is what keeps me every single day.

The primary organizational tool used by the guest to manage business and family life.

Google Calendar

I'm learning Spanish. I did take Spanish in high school, but me and my daughter are actually learning Spanish on Duolingo.

Language learning app the guest uses to learn Spanish.

Duolingo

Your favorite book is the big leap. Mine too. I love Gary Hendrix.

Book by Gay Hendricks mentioned as a favorite by both host and guest.

The Big Leap

If you've seen the movie hitchhikers, or read the book Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the ultimate answer.

Referenced by the host regarding the number 42 and finding answers.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Monetize Multiple Passions and Reinvent Your Career with Michelle Thames

Michelle Thames shares her story of transitioning from a healthcare administrator to a digital marketing powerhouse. After losing her job, she leveraged her side hustle experience to land a pivotal role at Mielle Organics before launching her own agency. She discusses the power of networking, the necessity of discipline over motivation, and how to manage multiple interests without burning out. Michelle emphasizes that skills from previous careers are transferable assets and that building a business starts with service, not fancy websites.

From Fired to Founder: The Michelle Thames Pivot

Hi [Name],

Ever feel like your career path has hit a roadblock? Or perhaps you have so many passions you don't know where to start?

This week on Hacks & Hobbies, we sat down with Michelle Thames, founder of Thames Media Solutions. After being unexpectedly fired from her job, Michelle didn't just survive – she thrived, building a multi-million dollar marketing career and agency.

She's sharing actionable insights like:
*   **The 'One Client Start' Method:** How to land your first client without needing a perfect website.
*   **Calendar-Driven Freedom:** Her disciplined approach to managing multiple passions and business ventures using Google Calendar.
*   **Reinventing After 40:** Why it's never too late to pivot and leverage your unique experience.

Michelle's journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks can be the greatest opportunities.

Listen to the full episode here: [EPISODE_URL]

Don't let fear hold you back. It might be time to bet on yourself.

Warmly,
Junaid Ahmed

Hi Michelle,

Thank you SO much for being on Hacks & Hobbies! Your story about turning a career setback into a thriving marketing empire is truly inspiring. I especially loved hearing about your 'One Client Start' method and how you use your Google Calendar to balance everything.

I've already shared the episode with a few friends who needed to hear your message about reinvention.

Here is the link to the episode: [EPISODE_URL]

I'd be honored if you'd share it with your audience as well. Let me know if you need any specific graphics or copy to help with that!

Thanks again for your time and wisdom.

Warmly,
Junaid Ahmed

So glad you joined Hacks & Hobbies, Michelle!

Hi Michelle,

Just wanted to follow up and see if you had a chance to share the episode with your audience. It's been getting a fantastic response!

If you're looking for content to share, here are a few links:

*   **Direct Episode Link:** [EPISODE_URL]
*   **Audiogram/Short Clip:** [LINK_TO_AUDIOVISUAL]
*   **Social Media Graphic:** [LINK_TO_GRAPHIC]

Remember, your story about pivoting after being fired and building from one client is a powerful message for so many.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do to support the promotion!

Best,
Junaid Ahmed

Sharing Michelle's 'One Client Start' Method!

Hi Michelle,

Hope you're having a great week!

I wanted to send one final thank you for being such a generous guest on Hacks & Hobbies. Your insights on career reinvention and entrepreneurial strategy were incredibly valuable.

I've been thinking about potential future collaborations – perhaps a live Q&A session on LinkedIn focusing on the 'One Client Start' or a deep dive into calendar management for multi-passionate creators? Let me know if that's something that interests you!

Here's the episode again for easy sharing: [EPISODE_URL]

Wishing you continued success!

All the best,
Junaid Ahmed

Future Collaborations & Thank You!

Ever felt like your career hit a dead end? Or that your many passions are pulling you in different directions? Join us for a live LinkedIn Audio Event with Michelle Thames, founder of Thames Media Solutions. 

Michelle shares her incredible journey from being abruptly fired from her corporate job to building a multi-million dollar marketing empire. She’ll reveal her 'One Client Start' strategy – how to get your first paying client without a fancy website – and her essential Google Calendar system for managing multiple passions. 

If you're over 40 and think it's too late to pivot, or if you're a multi-passionate entrepreneur struggling with focus, this is the conversation you need. 

**Why RSVP?**
*   Learn actionable steps to transition careers.
*   Discover how to monetize your diverse skills and interests.
*   Get practical advice on time management and client acquisition.
*   Ask Michelle your burning questions live!

Don't miss this chance to gain clarity and inspiration to bet on yourself.

Live Q&A: From Fired to Founder - Reinvent Your Career with Michelle Thames

Michelle Thames, founder of Thames Media Solutions and host of the Social Media Decoded podcast, shares her powerful story of career reinvention.

After being abruptly fired from her healthcare administration job, Michelle didn't just survive; she thrived. She leveraged her side hustle, a beauty blog, and her strategic marketing skills to help grow Mielle Organics (later acquired by P&G) before launching her own successful agency.

In this episode, Michelle breaks down:

*   **The Catalyst:** The moment she was fired and how it sparked her entrepreneurial journey.
*   **The 'One Client Start' Method:** Why focusing on that first client is more important than a perfect website.
*   **Calendar-Driven Freedom:** How Google Calendar helps her manage multiple passions and business ventures.
*   **Reinventing After 40:** Overcoming the mindset that it's 'too late' to start over.
*   **Leveraging Experience:** How skills from previous careers are transferable assets.

If you're feeling stuck, considering a career pivot, or juggling multiple interests, this episode will provide the inspiration and actionable advice you need to bet on yourself and build your own empire.

**Timestamps:**
0:00 Introduction
1:51 The Catalyst for Change: Getting Fired
4:00 Building Mielle Organics
6:16 Betting on Yourself: The First Client
8:53 The 'One Client Start' Method
10:48 Managing Multiple Passions with Google Calendar
13:56 Reinventing After 40
19:51 Rapid Fire Questions

#CareerPivot #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #SideHustle #PersonalBranding #Reinvention #HacksAndHobbies

From Fired to Founder: Pivot Your Career & Monetize Passions | Michelle Thames | Hacks & Hobbies

What if losing everything was the spark you needed to build your dream life?
In this episode, Michelle Thames reveals how being fired from her healthcare job became the catalyst for a radical reinvention. Discover how she transformed a side hustle into a thriving business, built a digital marketing agency with her husband, and became a sought-after speaker and podcast host. 
Michelle’s story is a masterclass in betting on yourself, embracing your passions, and turning setbacks into your greatest advantage.
What You'll Learn:

Why getting fired can be the best thing that ever happened to you


The power of starting small and building one client at a time


How to balance multiple passions without losing focus


The mindset shift every woman over 40 needs to thrive in business


Why you don’t need to be everywhere to build visibility


Timestamps:

00:02 — Fired & Fearless: Michelle’s turning point


02:10 — From Side Hustle to Full-Time: The birth of a business


04:30 — Building a Brand: Lessons from a multi-million dollar startup


07:15 — Betting on Yourself: The moment Michelle went all in


10:00 — Balancing Passions: Strategies for multi-passionate entrepreneurs


13:20 — Reinventing After 40: Advice for late bloomers


16:00 — Quickfire: Biggest leap, mindset shifts, and visibility mistakes


Guest Links:

Website: [Michelle Thames Media Solutions](#)


LinkedIn: [Michelle Thames](#)


Instagram: [@michellethames](#)


Book: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks



Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Junaid Ahmed

Hacks and Hobbies

Books & Resources

From Fired to Fearless, How Reinvention Built a Multi-Passionate Empire - Michelle Thames