After a sudden job loss a few years ago, Susie Kuhn found herself living with her parents. She decided to take a much-needed break from the corporate grind, which she now refers to as “the pause.” Kuhn shared her story at the Women in Retail On the Road: Los Angeles event last fall.

In this clip from Kuhn’s session, she explains how taking a two-year career pause allowed her to reconnect with family, regain her physical health, and find the clarity needed to return to the corporate world as Active Group president at Wolverine Worldwide. Kuhn explored the value of not rushing into the next role and staying true to your professional strengths.

Kuhn realized she wanted to re-enter the retail workforce, but only under the right circumstances and with the right company. “I didn’t want to leave my corporate life because somebody had made a decision for me when I had worked so hard,” she emphasized. “I didn’t want my career journey that I’m very public about to stop.”

When searching for the right new role, Kuhn honed two new personal foundations: “One is discernment — that I have great judgement about what I need to do and when I need to do it. The second is fulfillment — that I will not sacrifice myself and all the things that make me happy just because of the job.”

Women in Retail Leadership Circle members can view Kuhn’s full session here as well as recordings from all previous On the Road events here.