Legacy Planning: How to Stay Relevant After Leaving Your Business
-with insights from Mark Chamberlin, Orange County's "Give Back Advocate"
Why So Many Former Business Leaders Struggle with What’s Next
For decades, you were somebody. You built a business, led teams, and made big decisions. Your phone rang constantly, your inbox was full, and your opinion mattered.
Then one day, you stepped away—whether by choice or by force.
And suddenly…
- The calls stop.
- The emails slow down.
- Your name no longer carries the same weight.
You went from “Who’s Who” to “Who’s He?”
So Now What?
This is where legacy planning becomes critical—not just for financial security, but for maintaining your impact, influence, and purpose after your exit.
Mark Chamberlin knows exactly how that feels. After 40 years in high-tech, working for companies everyone has heard of, he was let go at 61.5.
Instead of fading into the background, he reinvented himself—not by chasing another corporate role, but by intentionally designing a life of meaning, contribution, and freedom.
"I was on a call on a Friday afternoon at the end of the month with my VP. And son of a gun, HR was on the call. So that's not necessarily a good thing. I was let go and I was bummed for about a day."
Then, a friend gave him a wake-up call:
"Mark, what you really need to do is not jump back into the game, doing what you've done for a long time for less money. Really think—what would you enjoy doing?"
If you’re a business owner stepping away from your company, legacy planning can help you shape your next chapter, ensuring you remain relevant and continue making an impact.
Learn more about Mark Chamberlin
Listen to Mark share his experience with Carrie Richardson on the What's Important Now Podcast here!
Watch the full video interview here:
Here are the steps Mark took towards legacy planning and how he's created an active retirement filled with purpose and passion.
Step 1: Stop Chasing Your Old Identity—Create a New One
One of the hardest parts of leaving a leadership role is realizing that past achievements don’t automatically translate into future opportunities. Many former executives believe their reputation will carry them forward, but the reality is, the world moves fast.
People are not as interested in what you did as they are in what you’re doing now.
Mark quickly understood that sending out résumés or trying to fit back into the corporate world wasn’t the answer. Instead, he focused on creating value in a new way.
"If you go on LinkedIn and post a video, people see that you have energy, that you’re proactive, that you’re doing things. That’s what gets you opportunities, not sending résumés into a black hole."
This isn’t about erasing your past—it’s about evolving. If you were once a CEO, what are you now? What do you stand for? What problem are you solving?
Legacy Planning Insight:
Your next chapter starts when you stop living in the shadow of your old title and start writing a new story.
Lesson:
Relevance isn’t given—it’s built.
Step 2: Leverage the Network You Built (But In a New Way)
The relationships you’ve built over the years don’t disappear when you exit your role. But they do require nurturing. Many former business leaders struggle because they continue to network with the same “What’s in it for me?” mindset.
That’s the wrong approach. The key to staying relevant isn’t asking for favors—it’s providing value.
"Once I turned 50, I realized almost all opportunities came through networking. Instead of trying to get another job, applying through a website where nobody really knows you—when somebody does, that makes all the difference in the world."
So how do you shift from seeking opportunities to attracting them?
- Share your insights. Your lessons and experiences still matter. Write articles, post on LinkedIn, and engage in conversations.
- Become a mentor. Speaking at industry events or advising younger professionals keeps you in the game and builds influence.
- Join exclusive circles. Mastermind groups, industry panels, and advisory boards keep you in rooms where decisions are being made.
Paterson Lifeplan Strategy:
For those looking for structured guidance in this next phase, a Paterson Lifeplan can provide clarity on how to align personal goals with meaningful work.
Lesson:
Your network is your leverage, but only if you keep it engaged.
Step 3: Build Authority by Teaching What You Know
If you’ve spent years leading a business, you’ve acquired knowledge that others would pay to learn. The problem? Many executives underestimate the value of their expertise.
Mark’s breakthrough came when he started mentoring.
"One of the people who's in charge of young alumni reached out to me and said, 'Mark, would you be interested in doing a webcast on negotiation skills? We have a lot of young alumni in their 20s and 30s.'"
He agreed, and that one opportunity snowballed into speaking engagements, consulting gigs, and greater industry recognition.
The truth is, people trust experts who teach rather than just talk. If you’re looking to stay relevant, consider these avenues:
- Coaching and consulting. Guide other business owners through transitions, exits, or scaling challenges.
- Speaking engagements. Keynotes and corporate training sessions position you as a thought leader.
- Content creation. Writing a book, starting a podcast, or building an online course helps you package your knowledge in a scalable way.
Lesson:
Your knowledge isn’t valuable until you package and share it.
Step 4: Redefine Success—Beyond Just Money
For many business leaders, success has always been measured by revenue, profits, and financial growth. But what happens when you don’t have to work anymore?
That’s when it’s time to rethink what success means.
Mark made an unconventional choice—he decided not to monetize everything he did.
"People keep telling me to monetize my gigs, and I say no. If I do things for free, I can take myself out of anything, anytime, if I don’t like it."
Instead of tying his happiness to financial compensation, he pursued work that truly excited him.
Paterson Lifeplan Strategy:
For those looking to align purpose with fulfillment, a Paterson Lifeplan can help clarify what truly matters in this next stage.
Lesson:
The second half of life should be about impact, not just income.
Reinvention Is an Active Process
If you’ve built a successful career but now feel “Who’s He?” syndrome creeping in, it’s time to get back in the game—on your terms.
Mark Chamberlin's 4-Step Formula for Staying Relevant After Your Exit:
✅ Create a new identity—you are more than your old title.
✅ Leverage your network—but in a new way.
✅ Teach what you know—authority comes from sharing.
✅ Redefine success—focus on fulfillment, not just money.
"You don’t really have to have a plan. If you have some energy and you're proactive, things will happen."
What’s Next? Listen to the Full WIN Podcast Episode featuring Mark Chamberlin
Mark Chamberlin shares more wisdom on the WIN Podcast.
Know someone going through this transition? Share this post with them!
Curious About A Paterson Lifeplan?
If you're exploring legacy planning and want a structured roadmap for what’s next, a Paterson Lifeplan can help guide your transition.
Ian Richardson, partner at Fox & Crow Group, is a certifed Paterson LifePlan Guide - you can book some time to talk about the LifePlan process here.
