What happens when your body knows what your mind won't admit? For Matt Keller, it took chest-tightening panic attacks in his corporate office to recognize he was on the wrong path entirely. Despite managing a $250 million budget at Walmart by age 26, something was deeply wrong.

"I used to sit at Sam's home office, looking out the window, thinking if I could, I'd rather be digging a trench than looking at another spreadsheet right now," Matt reveals in this raw conversation with host Sy Kirby. This admission kickstarted a remarkable transformation from corporate executive to landscape business owner.

The journey wasn't without humiliation. Matt shares the gut-wrenching story of a former colleague secretly photographing him mowing lawns, a moment that could have crushed his spirit but instead fueled his determination. "That lit a fire under me," he explains, his voice still carrying the emotion of that day.

Drawing on his horticulture background and corporate skills, Matt methodically built his business by converting one-off jobs into steady contracts, focusing on commercial clients over residential headaches, and leveraging his professional communication abilities to secure apartment complex contracts. His corporate experience, once seen as irrelevant in his new field, became his secret weapon.

This episode offers practical insights for anyone contemplating a career pivot, especially those considering trading white-collar comfort for blue-collar fulfillment. Matt's advice on finding your vision, staying focused, and not diversifying too quickly applies universally to entrepreneurs at any stage. For those staring out office windows dreaming of something different, this conversation might just be the push you need to make your move.

Have you been feeling that same restlessness in your corporate role? Maybe it's time to consider what's on the other side of the window. Subscribe to the Blue Collar Business Podcast for more stories of transformation and practical business advice from those who've done the work.

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