What if losing your job wasn’t the end… but the beginning of something better?

In this episode of Happy Accidents, I sit down with Michelle Schafer, one of Ottawa’s top career coaches, to talk about how being laid off not once but twice led her to reinvent herself, discover her true calling, and launch a thriving career coaching practice.

You’ll learn:

• How to turn a layoff or restructuring into an opportunity for growth
• Why career transitions often open doors you didn’t see before
• The mindset shift that transforms job loss into a career reinvention
• Practical advice for navigating uncertainty and finding your purpose
• How Michelle built a coaching business that now helps others do the same

Whether you’re going through a career change, exploring life after layoffs, or looking for inspiration to pursue your next chapter, Michelle’s story will encourage you to see disruption not as the end... but as the turning point.

🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories of serendipity, rein

vention, and entrepreneurship

📖 Learn more about Michelle Schafer: https://mschafercoaching.ca

🤝Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/

📗 Get her book Cultivating Career Growth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSFND9VF

He didn’t go to university.
He had no formal training.
He didn’t even know what a copywriter was.

But Andy Strote ended up founding two successful creative agencies in Toronto, landing massive clients like Ontario Hydro, Manulife, and CIBC — and eventually selling both companies in separate acquisitions.

In this episode of Happy Accidents, Andy shares his incredible journey from warehouse worker to creative entrepreneur, and how serendipity played a surprising role at every turning point.

🚪 From fake portfolios and mailroom connections...
🧾 To penny stocks that paid off big...
🤝 To clients who followed him everywhere...

This is a masterclass in how to recognize and act on unexpected opportunities — even when you have no clear plan.

👉 Learn how Andy:

• Landed a 6-year client deal through a casual office conversation

• Turned busyness into a business (twice!)

• Navigated two acquisition offers that landed the same day

• Sold a penny stock for $250k… after retirement

• Still uses creativity to build, teach, and give back

Whether you’re a freelancer, agency founder, or creative entrepreneur — this story will inspire you to stay open, stay ready, and bet on yourself.

🔗 Explore Andy’s books and blog:
https://www.creativeagencybook.com/

📚 Books mentioned:

• How to Start a Successful Creative Agency

• How to Become a Successful Creative Freelancer

🎧 Subscribe for more true stories of unexpected success

#CreativeEntrepreneur #FreelancerSuccess #AgencyLife #Serendipity #HappyAccidentsPodcast
#MarketingAgency #CopywritingCareer #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessGrowth #FromFreelancertoFounder

Is success about willpower… or something more unpredictable?

In this unscripted and unedited episode of Happy Accidents, Dennis flips the script and explores the surprising connection between the famous Marshmallow Test and the role of serendipity in success.

You’ll hear why delayed gratification does matter... but also why it’s not the full story. Through real-world examples (like James Dyson’s journey), his TED Talk insights, and a candid take on free will, faith, and timing, Dennis breaks down the two possible paths we follow when chasing success and how unexpected opportunities often hold the key.

This is not your typical episode. No guests. No storytelling scripts. Just a mic, a message, and a refreshing perspective on what really moves the needle in life and business.

Here's the link to Dennis's TEDx Talk on serendipity: https://youtu.be/u_F6azldLTo

#HappyAccidents #Serendipity #MarshmallowTest #SuccessMindset #DelayedGratification #Entrepreneurship #FaithAndSuccess #LifeLessons #TEDTalkInsights #TrustTheProcess