7 Losses, One Wake-Up Call: Paige Arnof-Fenn Redefines Success on Her Comeback

Her Comeback with host Michelle Thompson, author of *Courageously You: Seven Simple Frameworks to Create the Life You Love-* — available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold Guest: Paige Arnof-Fenn , Founder and CEO Mavens & Moguls This episode features Paige Arnof-Fenn, a Stanford and Harvard Business School graduate, board member, and columnist for Entrepreneur and Forbes, Paige shares the real story behind building a four-dozen-person, multi-city agency — and the personal losses that reshaped how she defines success. Paige started her career in finance on Wall Street before rebranding herself into corporate marketing, spending years at Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola. From there she jumped into three venture-backed startups during the dot-com boom, Then came September 11th. Marketing budgets froze overnight, and Paige, laid off from the traditional path she thought she wanted, started fielding calls from former colleagues who needed help. Her husband's advice ("send them an invoice") became the accidental launch of Mavens & Moguls, a firm built without a business plan or outside funding that now spans 14 U.S. cities and international teams. The conversation turns personal as Paige opens up about losing seven family members in six years, including both parents and her stepfather, while running her business and caring for aging relatives thousands of miles away. She describes the "Whac-A-Mole" grief of that season, how it forced her and her husband — a two-entrepreneur household with no kids to lean on for support — to rethink a life built on breakfast meetings and back-to-back networking events, and the surprising business lesson that came out of it: giving clients space and following up with patience. Paige closes with practical advice for women rebuilding after a career disruption or personal loss: get clear on your lane, pick one or two platforms that are authentic to you, protect your digital reputation, and resist the urge to be everything to everyone. She also reflects on how she wants to be remembered The episode wraps with Michelle's bonus segment on the F.I.R.E. framework from Chapter 5 of her book, *Courageously You*. Feel the disappointment, Ignite your power, Reveal your passion, and Execute your path — a practical tool for anyone navigating disappointment, layoffs, or a stalled promotion. **In This Episode** ● Paige's path from Wall Street finance to corporate marketing at P&G and Coca-Cola ● Lessons from three dot-com-era startup exits ● The 9/11 moment that launched Mavens & Moguls ● Building a firm across 14 U.S. cities without a business plan or funding ● Navigating the loss of seven family members in six years ● Why “giving space” outperforms constant follow-up in business development ● Advice for women rebuilding after career disruption or loss ● Choosing the right social platform for your authentic brand ● How Paige wants to be remembered ● Bonus: Michelle's F.I.R.E. framework from Courageously You **Connect With Paige Arnof-Fenn** Mavens & Moguls: mavensandmoguls.com LinkedIn: Paige Arnof Fenn **Connect With Michelle Thompson** Website: michellethompsoncoaching.com Instagram/Facebook: @michellethompsoncoaching