Start small,
create something big

Just Start is a 6-week cohort for curious people who want to try something new, without walking away from the stability they’ve worked hard to build.

When the rules of work change, it’s time to change with them.

There’s no doubt that work feels shaky right now—layoffs, AI, and rising pressure to perform have left you feeling undervalued, and unsure what’s next.

After years of climbing the corporate ladder and doing “what you were supposed to do”, you wonder why you’ve been working so hard for something you don’t even want.

You don’t want to start over but you also can’t ignore the pull toward a different way to work—an easeful life full of impact, schedule flexibility, and freedom.

The good news is: you don’t have to choose one thing. You can start small, experiment, and create a career that fits you.

In this program, we look at your unique skills and interests, brainstorm possible ideas, and launch a mini career experiment where you’ll build momentum through small wins, get clarity for your next step, and walk away with an aligned 1-year roadmap you’re super excited about executing.

You’re curious, creative, and multi-dimensional.

You also have a million ideas of what you could do, which makes it’s hard to decide which path feels right.

And, while you want work that has meaning, you fall victim to scrolling on LinkedIn, applying to the same jobs you’ve held before because of the paycheck or because you don’t know anyone else choosing something different.

Together, we’ll tackle three key pieces:

  1. Your idea: How to choose a high potential mini career experiment that aligns with your unique interests and skills

  2. Your finances: What you need to feel secure and confident now and if this experiment were to grow into something more

  3. Your time: How you’ll fit experimentation into your schedule

Along the way you’ll also build ties with others choosing to re-write their careers in a way that works for them.

This program is for you if…

  • You’re a curious, creative, multi-dimensional (and sometimes indecisive) human who doesn’t fit neatly into one box

  • You want to find work that’s meaningful but find yourself applying to similar roles you’ve carried in the past

  • You’ve either been spinning on lots of ideas or don’t have a fully formed one but are ready to take action

  • You have lots of skills, interests, and ideas but aren’t sure how to package them in a way that’s compelling

  • You want support and accountability from a community of other people carving their own paths and those who have already made the leap into what you want next

  • You want to build confidence to DO THE THING!

The details

We’ll meet weekly over ~6 weeks. The inaugural beta cohort of Just Start will open for enrollment in September, kick off the week of October 20th, and go through early December. The sessions include:

  • (2) 1:1 career strategy meetings with Maggie

  • 6 weekly group community calls (with lessons)

  • 1 guest speaker Q&A session

  • Matched with an accountability buddy

  • Voxer support during the program and thru the end of 2025

  • Lifetime access to your cohort via a community in Slack

  • Weekly exercises, challenges and homework to support your growth

  • An in-person celebration event for those in NYC

Cost: $349

I’m offering this program at 50% off (normally $699) since this is the first time I’m running it. If you sign up for the waitlist, you’ll get $50 off.

“I’ve gained so much clarity about my strengths, values, and next steps, and I feel much more confident moving forward.”

— Former 1:1 Coaching Client

The itinerary

  • Week 1: How you uniquely show up in the world

  • Week 2: Design your experiment workshop

  • Week 3: How to package your unique skills and interests into a compelling offer

  • Week 4: How to prioritize experimenting alongside your job (and life!)

  • Week 5: Build a financial bridge: where you are now vs where you want to go

  • Week 6: Create your 1 year roadmap to a fulfilling, freedom-based career

  • Guest speaker: To be chosen and slotted into the schedule based on the group’s wants and needs!

More than just memories,
you’ll take away…

  • Clarity on your unique strengths and personal positioning

  • A live experiment you can iterate on beyond the life of this program

  • A financial game plan that you feel confident in how to turn your experiment into a full-time offer

  • An aligned 1-year career roadmap

  • Connection to others choosing non-traditional paths

Join me on this adventure!

Hello, I’m Maggie! If you don’t know me already, I’ve pivoted my career from Consulting to Product Marketing to a portfolio career. I host events, plan retreats, host on Airbnb, and help others build a fulfilling career and life.

When I was in corporate, I struggled trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. After I started experimenting, it gave me the confidence I needed to do bigger things, like buy a house, quit my job, start a business, and launch this cohort.

I’d love to share my learnings and for us to build something of your own, together.

  • Just Start is for multi-passionate humans who want to try something new, without walking away from the stability they’ve built.

    You’re earlier on in your career decision journey, but you know you want to make a change. You may have started dabbling with ideas already or are stuck spinning your wheels but ready to take action.

    If that sounds like you, then I welcome you to join!

  • That’s ok! I’ll send out recordings of each session. However, I’d love for you to be there life for the majority of them.

  • All sessions will be hosted on Zoom so need to be in NYC! If you are in NY, I’ll plan a fun celebration event for us that are interested. If there are other people where you live in the program, you’re welcome to host something together!

FAQ

  • Nope! You just need curiosity and openness to the process.

  • Yes, you can split the payments into two payments! If you have needs beyond that, please email me: m@maggie-blackburn.com.

  • After having lots and lots of coffee chats with you on LinkedIn and IRL, I noticed a theme. You all wanted to pivot your career but weren’t sure how to make it happen. You’re also not in a place yet to completely quit and leave the job you don’t love.

    I’ve been exactly where you are, and I wish I had a community of people I could have turned to who were at the same place (or one step ahead).

    That’s what I want to build with this, and I want you to build it alongside me!