About this episode
Tom Mirabella left corporate at 30 and never looked back. Seventeen years later, he’s built Wingman into a 25-person business by doing what corporate rarely rewards: solving problems fast, betting on relationships, and staying obsessively close to customers.In this conversation, Tom breaks down his escape story, why “local + in-person” is making a comeback, and how Wingman’s franchise model flips the typical franchise script — where the franchisee focuses on relationships and sales while the central team handles fulfillment and delivery.If you’re stuck in corporate and can’t see a path out, this episode gives you a practical look at what “building your own lane” can really look like — without pretending it’s easy.Join the Escapee Collective: TheEscapeeCollective.com What You’ll Learn• Why Tom left corporate early (and what corporate policies taught him about ceilings)• The side-hustle-to-business path: how one small project turned into real clients• How to think about risk when leaving: your monthly “number” vs. replacing a salary• Why entrepreneurship can swing from best day to worst day in 30 minutes — and how to handle it• The “digital mayor” concept: becoming the trusted local hub in your town• Why Tom believes physical locations + community presence still win in a digital world• A modern franchise approach: franchisee sells + builds relationships, HQ team delivers• Why customer service and trust are the real differentiators in crowded marketsKey Quotes• “The problem’s now. Two weeks from now, it’s worse.”• “As an entrepreneur, you can have the best and worst day within a half hour.”• “I want you to be the digital mayor of your town.”• “If you do what you love, the money follows.”Mentioned in This Episode• COBRA and how Tom thought about early-stage risk• Networking groups, chambers, community events, and “planting seeds”• Using a podcast as a lead generator (and why it worked)Connect with Tom• Email: Tom at wingmanplanning.com• Website: WingmanPlanning.com• Social: Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / LinkedIn (search “Wingman Planning”)
