After 30 years in the same industry, Mark Barbaro found himself at a crossroads. His latest corporate role had ended after just eight months, and he had a choice to make: return to the safety and stability of corporate life, or take a leap of faith and start his own business.
In this powerful episode, Mark shares his journey from corporate veteran to successful home improvement business owner. He opens up about the real fears he faced when starting from scratch at 56, the moment he had to choose between a corporate job offer and his month-old business, and the customer-first philosophy that helped him build a thriving company where 50% of his work now comes from referrals.
Mark's story proves that it's never too late to bet on yourself, that your corporate experience is more transferable than you think, and that building a business is less about having it all figured out and more about taking action despite the fear.
Whether you're wondering if you're too old to start over, afraid to leave a stable paycheck, or questioning whether you have what it takes, Mark's honest and practical insights will show you that escaping corporate is not only possible—it's doable.
About Our Guest:
Mark Barbaro spent over 30 years in corporate America working in the building materials and home improvement industry. After his last corporate role ended after just eight months, Mark made the courageous decision at 56 years old to start his own home improvement and handyman business rather than returning to the safety of corporate life.
Today, Mark serves customers throughout his community, helping homeowners with everything from simple handyman tasks to full bathroom remodels. His business has grown organically through exceptional customer service, with 50% of his work now coming from referrals and repeat customers.
Mark's approach is simple: put the customer first, figure out how to say yes, and build trust one project at a time. He's proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself and build something meaningful.
CONNECT WITH MARK:
📧 Email: saltyheronhi@gmail.com
📞 Phone: 1-732-371-1920
🌐Linked In: Mark Barbaro | LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-barbaro-32495b6/
🔨 Thumbtack: Salty Heron Handyman
READY TO CREATE YOUR OWN CORPORATE EXIT STRATEGY?
You know, I remember sitting in my car in that corporate parking lot, listening to podcasts just like this one, thinking "I wish that could be me." But here's the thing I didn't realize then: wishing doesn't build a bridge from where you are to where you want to be. A plan does.
Maybe you're listening to this right now on your commute, or during your lunch break, or late at night when everyone else is asleep and you're finally alone with your thoughts. And maybe you're thinking, "I want out, but I have no idea where to even start."
That's exactly where the Corporate Exit Strategy Call comes in. It's not about me selling you anything. It's about you finally getting clear on what YOUR path forward actually looks like. What if, six months from now, you could look back at today as the moment everything shifted? Not because something magical happened, but because you finally stopped waiting and started planning.
📅 BOOK YOUR CORPORATE EXIT STRATEGY CALL: www.stuckincorporate.com
Your future self is waiting for you to take that first step
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12 mins