Michael Harn brings 24 years of experience in wireless and telecommunications to his work as a Career Ownership Coach® with The Entrepreneur’s Source. Having experienced five layoffs himself, he understands the uncertainty that can accompany a career transition. Today, he helps experienced professionals explore employment, business ownership, or a combination of both through a no-cost coaching process. In this interview with The Leaders 360, Michael shares his journey and practical advice for people considering what comes next.
From Corporate Leadership to Career Ownership
We were interested in learning how Michael Harn’s experience in the wireless industry influenced his current work, so we asked him how more than two decades in the field helped shape his perspective on career ownership and professional transitions.
Michael Harn: I spent 24 years in wireless and telecommunications, eventually working in a role that supported more than 3,000 store owners and operators. Over that time, I experienced five layoffs. I know what it feels like to have built a career, developed valuable skills, and still find yourself facing a decision you did not expect to make.
After my final layoff, I began asking a different set of questions. I wanted to understand how I could use everything I had learned in a way that gave me more say over my future. That exploration led me to The Entrepreneur’s Source and, eventually, to becoming a Career Ownership Coach®.
What drew me to The Entrepreneur’s Source was the opportunity to help people through a structured, no-cost process of education, awareness, and discovery. Having faced career uncertainty myself, I appreciated having space to explore before making a decision. Today, I help experienced professionals step back, identify what matters to them, and examine possibilities they may never have considered.
Finding Clarity During Career Change
We wanted to understand how Michael Harn helps individuals navigate career uncertainty, so we asked what he focuses on first when someone is unsure about their next professional move.
Michael Harn: I ask them to describe what they want their next chapter to provide. People often begin with a job title, an industry, or a salary target. Those details matter, but they do not tell the whole story. We also talk about how they want to spend their time, what kind of financial stability they need, and what they want to build for the longer term.
That conversation gives us something useful to measure options against. A role can look attractive on paper and still leave someone with the same frustrations they were trying to escape. Likewise, an unfamiliar path may deserve a closer look once they understand how their existing skills could apply to it. The goal is to make the decision with more clarity, rather than react to the first available opportunity.
Challenges in Career Transitions
Having worked with many professionals exploring new opportunities, we were interested in his perspective on the most common challenges people face during career transitions.
Michael Harn: One is the pressure to have an answer immediately, especially after a layoff. A person may need income quickly, and I would never dismiss that reality. But urgency can make it harder to distinguish an immediate need from a long-term goal. Someone may take a job to meet today’s needs while continuing to explore what they want next.
Another challenge is recognizing transferable skills. Experienced professionals sometimes describe themselves so narrowly that they overlook what they have learned about leading people, serving customers, managing operations, solving problems, or developing teams. Those abilities can be valuable in settings that look very different from their previous job.
Exploring Business Ownership
Since Michael Harn helps individuals explore business ownership as a potential path, we asked whether he believes entrepreneurship is the right solution for everyone.
Michael Harn: No. Business ownership is one option, and it needs to make sense for the person’s goals, resources, and circumstances. Some people go through an exploration process and decide to pursue employment with a clearer understanding of what they want. Others consider building an additional income stream while they continue working. Some decide that ownership is the right next step.
My role is to help people learn enough to make an informed choice. I do not want someone to pursue a business because they are frustrated with a job, any more than I want them to rule it out simply because they have never pictured themselves as a business owner.
Evaluating Business Ownership
We wanted to learn what factors professionals should consider before deciding whether business ownership is a realistic option for their goals and circumstances.
Michael Harn: Start with the life you want the business to support. How much time could you devote to it? What income would you need, and when? How much financial runway do you have? What responsibilities are you willing to take on? Then learn how a particular business actually works, including its costs, staffing needs, day-to-day demands, and risks.
I also encourage people to separate their first impression of an industry from the role they would play as an owner. Someone may say, “I don’t know anything about that service.” The better question may be whether their experience in leadership, sales, operations, or customer relationships fits the owner’s responsibilities. That does not make every business a good fit. It helps them evaluate it on the right terms.
The Future of Work and Careers
As workplace trends continue to evolve, we asked Michael Harn what changes professionals should be paying attention to as they plan their careers and long-term growth.
Michael Harn: I think more people are recognizing that a career does not have to follow one uninterrupted path. They may move between employment and ownership, or combine them at different stages of life. That makes it useful to understand more than one way to apply their skills and earn income.
At the same time, new tools and changing business practices will keep reshaping roles. I would encourage professionals to stay curious about where their skills create value, even when the setting is unfamiliar. Having options starts with knowing what you can do and being willing to learn where else it might apply.
Advice for Those Facing Uncertainty
We were interested in hearing Michael Harn’s advice for professionals recovering from a layoff or experiencing burnout, so we asked how individuals can begin moving forward with confidence and clarity.
Michael Harn: First, give yourself room to acknowledge what happened. A layoff can affect your confidence, even when you know it was a business decision. Burnout can make every option feel exhausting. You do not need to solve your entire future in one week.
Then begin gathering information. Write down what you need from your next move, what you no longer want to repeat, and which skills you most enjoy using. Talk with people who have taken different paths. Explore an option far enough to understand it before deciding whether it fits.
You do not have to know exactly what comes next to begin exploring. You just need to be willing to ask questions and learn what is possible.
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