Episode notes
https://hercomebackpodcast.com/
Episode Overview
In this episode, Michelle sits down with Gayle Todd, a Southwest Florida resident and kindred spirit, who spent decades as a software analyst and project manager for her county government — and then, at 62, quietly planted a brand-new flag. Gayle launched a pet waste removal franchise, Scoop Soldiers, as a side business while still holding down her corporate job, and two and a half years later, she's walking out the door with over 200 customers, her own territory, and retirement plans that start with running, not resting. This conversation is packed with honest talk about fear, identity shifts, asking for help, and what it really takes to build something from scratch when everyone else might expect you to coast. If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start — Gayle's answer is a clear, joyful no.
Key Topics Covered
From Bored to Bold: The Moment Everything Changed
Gayle didn't have a dramatic wake-up call — she had a slow burn. A decade after earning her master's, she found herself restless and concerned about spending another ten years in the same seat. That quiet dissatisfaction was the spark that sent her searching for something of her own.
Why a Franchise — and Why This One
With a love of animals and the reality of a full-time job, Gayle needed something she could run nights and weekends without building infrastructure from scratch. After six months to nearly a year of rigorous due diligence — interviewing three competing franchises — she chose Scoop Soldiers for one reason above all: they were a true partner, not just a franchisor.
The Cost of Building Two Lives at Once
Gayle is refreshingly honest about what those first two and a half years actually required — nights, weekends, burned personal time, a life partner who showed up to her events just so they could spend time together, and a moment, about a year in, when she nearly handed the keys back to the franchise owner. What pulled her through? Asking for help — the hardest thing she's ever done.
Shifting Identity: From Employee to Owner
After decades of building someone else's vision, stepping into ownership felt like freedom — and a little like standing at the edge of a cliff. Gayle talks about how corporate restructuring, salary caps, and position demotions were the final push she needed to stop waiting and start moving.
The Myth That Entrepreneurship Has an Age Limit
At nearly 65, Gayle is proof that "too late" is a story we tell ourselves. She shares the advice that changed her perspective on going back for her master's — and it applies just as powerfully to starting a business: you're going to be that age anyway. Wouldn't you rather have something to show for it?
Asking for Help as a Comeback Strategy
Gayle's biggest comeback moment wasn't a win — it was hitting a wall. Staffing issues, routing problems, a business that felt out of control. Her breakthrough came when she finally called her franchise support team and said, "I need help." The lesson she carries forward: ego is the enemy of progress, and the right mentors will show up when we're ready to receive them.
Connect with Gayle Todd
Website: scoopsoldiers.com
Email: gayletodd@scoopsoldiers.com
Host Michelle Thompson's book Courageously You: Seven Simple Frameworks to Create The Life You Love launches June 25!