When Frances Cortez was first laid off from her corporate job, becoming a business owner was the last thing on her mind. Like many women in accounting, she had spent years following the expected path; earning degrees, climbing the corporate ladder, and playing by the rules.
But when the rules changed and a stable job was no longer an option, Frances had to face something even more daunting: a complete mindset shift.
The Trap of the Employee Mindset
If you’ve ever worked in corporate or public accounting, you’re familiar with the employee mindset. It teaches us to wait for instructions, seek approval, and define success based on someone else’s goals. It rewards compliance and discourages risk. And for many women, it becomes second nature.
But when you step into entrepreneurship or independent practice, those same beliefs start to hold you back.
Frances shared that in her early days of working for herself, she still saw clients as “bosses” and herself as someone who needed to follow their lead. It wasn’t until she reframed her role, from working for to working with, that she began to fully own her value and step into leadership.
Reclaiming Ownership of Your Work
One of the most powerful lessons from Frances’ journey is this: you’re not working for someone else anymore. You are the decision-maker, the strategist, the visionary. And that shift requires more than changing your schedule. It demands changing your identity.
This can feel uncomfortable at first. You might question your worth or fear making mistakes. You might even consider going back to a “real” job. Frances admits she faced those temptations more than once, but each time, she realized she couldn’t go back. She had tasted the freedom of choosing her clients, owning her time, and aligning her work with her values.
Making the Shift (Without Burning Out)
If you’re stuck in employee mode while trying to grow your own business, here are three mindset shifts that helped Frances (and could help you too):
1. See Yourself as a Partner, Not a Provider
You’re not just delivering a service. You’re partnering with your clients to help them grow and succeed. That means your input matters. Your boundaries matter. Your leadership matters.
2. Prioritize Yourself Without Guilt
Frances spoke openly about how hard it was to put herself first. Like many moms, she was used to doing everything for everyone. But when she started carving out time for her own vision, she was able to grow and help others grow too.
3. Build a Support Network
You don’t have to know everything or do it all alone. Frances leaned on mentors, colleagues, and trusted advisors. That support gave her confidence and clarity when the path felt uncertain.
You’re Not Alone
The good news? You’re not the only one navigating this shift. And you’re not supposed to figure it out on your own. Whether you’re building your first practice or scaling your business, there are women just like you who’ve walked this road.
And there’s a place where those women gather.
If you’re ready to let go of the employee mindset and step into your power, we’re here for you. Join us at https://cpamoms.com/start and start building a business that works for you, not the other way around.