04.11.25
Overcoming Career Setbacks: Jodi Tollefson’s Journey from Setback to Success
By Hannah Anderson, Director of Content Strategy, FMWF Chamber
Jodi Tollefson; Photo courtesy of Beyond Realty.
Have you ever faced a career setback that made you question everything?
In 2009, Jodi Tollefson’s life was turned upside down. Eight months pregnant with her second child, she was at the peak of a 16-year career she had worked tirelessly to build—until, without warning, she was let go. The blow was crushing. She questioned everything, feeling as though she had failed her family.
But what seemed like the end of her professional life became the beginning of an incredible new chapter.
Jodi’s story is an inspiring example of overcoming career setbacks, a reminder that even the most painful challenges can lead to greater opportunities.
TURNING CAREER SETBACKS INTO NEW BEGINNINGS
Rather than letting circumstances define her, Jodi took action. She boldly shifted gears and entered the world of real estate. The transition wasn’t easy, but Jodi’s determination and resilience paid off.
By 2016, she opened Beyond Realty, a business that not only aligned with her entrepreneurial spirit but also allowed her to give back to her community in meaningful ways.
BUILDING BEYOND REALTY: EMPOWERING OTHERS THROUGH CHALLENGES
Beyond Realty is more than a business—it’s a reflection of Jodi’s mission to lift others up. Especially passionate about supporting women in the real estate industry, Jodi has become a mentor and guide for others navigating their own career setbacks.
Her story offers more than inspiration—it offers hope. A job loss doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Sometimes, it’s the plot twist that leads to the best chapter yet.
DON’T MISS JODI’S STORY AT WOMEN CONNECT: BREAKING THROUGH
Want to hear more about how Jodi turned a difficult moment into a defining one?
Join us on April 29 at the Armory Event Center for Women Connect: Breaking Through, where Jodi will share her moving story of resilience, reinvention and overcoming career setbacks. Discover how she turned a setback into an opportunity to redefine her career and life, alongside other inspiring women – Jesseca White, Sara Hand and Shameka Akpofure, followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion led by Karli Moch, founder of The Dream Project.
Whether you're facing your own challenges or simply seeking motivation to keep moving forward, Jodi’s story will leave you feeling empowered and ready to turn your own setbacks into comebacks.
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