Janet Bartholow - The Entrepreneur's Source

Experience is supposed to shorten a job search. Right now it is doing the opposite.

In July, 28.3% of job seekers 55 and older had been looking for 27 weeks or longer. And unemployment for workers 55+ climbed from 2.8% to 3.1% that month, even as the national rate fell to 4.1%.

This is not a story about a weak resume. It is arithmetic. Six months is now the likely scenario for an experienced job seeker, not the worst one.

A six-month search does not get solved by a better resume written in week two. It gets solved by decisions made while you still have income, leverage, and time.

That is the real work: My role as your coach is to help you map your goals while you still have options not after the search has already run long.

Take the Career Threats Assessment and see where you actually stand: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment

The day after Labor Day used to mark the start of a season of movement. This year, almost nobody is moving.

The quit rate has sat at 2.0%, a third below its 2021 peak. And 5.9 million people say they want a job but have stopped looking for one.

Standing still feels safe when the exits look narrow. But a career that only moves when someone else moves it is not security. It is a bet and you are not the one holding the odds.

Instead of asking "Where can I get hired next?", ask what you actually want your life to produce? That is the shift from renting a career to owning one.

I help you explore what those options could look like with no pressure, no pitch, just a clearer picture of the possibilities in front of you.

You do not have to make a move today. But you should know what your moves are.

Start with the Career Threats Assessment and see how exposed your current role really is. https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment

A house fire is probably unlikely, but a career change isn’t. Which one have you actually prepared for?

September is National Preparedness Month.

You probably have a fire escape plan, an emergency fund, and a will you updated in the last few years. But here’s a tougher question: do you have a backup plan for your career?

Most people don’t. It means preparing for a possible layoff, knowing how much money you really need and considering whether AI could replace your skills.

According to the TES Generational Career Confidence Survey, 83% of Americans think owning a business is a real alternative to a regular job. But most people never actually make a plan to see if that could work for them.

It’s about taking charge of your future, and you can start while you’re still working, when you have options and time on your side.

Take our Career Impact Assessment: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment

And then, work with me now and prepare for what might and can happen!

AI makes Ownership More Possible. The Question Is Whether It's Right for You.

The headlines frame artificial intelligence as something coming for your job. Another way to read the same data: as evidence that the barrier to ownership has dropped further, and faster, than most people realize.

Stripe found thousands of solo operators generating over $1 million in revenue with no employees at all. That group more than doubled between 2023 and 2025, and the number clearing $10 million nearly tripled.

A one-person company is a specific life. You're the sales team, the support desk, and the person fixing things at 9 p.m. on a Friday. Some people thrive on that. Others don't.

Read More: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/blog/?utm_source=SOCI_Parameter

The real question is which version of ownership fits your goals . The career coaching process starts with you, not with a business. AI is going to keep getting better. Whether that's a threat or an opening depends almost entirely on whether you've looked at what's available to you and most people haven't looked at all.

Take our Assessment and find out if Your Current Career Aligns with Your Goals: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment

Are you staying in your job because you want to be there or because leaving feels too risky?

If it's the second one, you're in the majority. ResumeBuilder.com survey found 57% of U.S. workers now identify as “job huggers”.

The July 2026 jobs report shows why. The U.S. economy lost 23,000 jobs in July, and the unemployment rate only fell because 264,000 people stopped looking for work altogether.

Job hugging feels safe, but it isn't free. Six months of waiting quietly becomes eighteen. The raise doesn't come. The skills don't grow. And eventually the decision gets made for you.

There is a third option: Together we can explore what you want your career to look like in five years and the many options that exist for someone with your background. Is it another role, a different leadership path, or something you build and own?

Holding on isn't the same as moving forward. What's really keeping you where you are?

Take the Possibilities, Dreams and Options assessment: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment

The skills you’ve gained through dedication and service can open doors to incredible career possibilities. Join me TODAY for the National Virtual Career Fair and take a closer look at opportunities created for those with a mission driven mindset. With tools, resources, and guidance available online, this event helps you explore your options in a supportive environment. Reserve your spot today and step toward a future that matches your strengths: https://bit.ly/4pNlEGS

Learning about Ownership from Christopher Nolan’s movie The Odyssey

First day of shooting, Matt Damon hiked 25 minutes up a hill in Greece to a cave location and got there early.

Then he looked back down the path and saw the guy handling his wardrobe carrying his armor up for him — while every other actor was wearing their own. He apologized on the spot. By his account, it never happened again. (Today Show, July 14, 2026) Read More: https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/blog/?utm_source=SOCI_Parameter

It’s a small story about a movie set. This is what changes when you go from employee to owner. The load becomes yours. So does the direction.

In the TES Generational Career Confidence Survey, 80% of employees said business ownership gives a person more control over their career. Worth asking what you’d be willing to carry for it.

I can help you think that through.

Take our assessment and determine if it is time to leave your job! https://jbartholow.esourcecoach.com/assessments/?utm_source=SOCI_Assessment