Career Confidence

Career Confidence Plot Summary

Introduction

In the fast-paced and often unpredictable world of career development, few voices stand out with the authenticity and practical wisdom of Robynn Storey. From her humble beginnings in a small Pennsylvania town to becoming a powerhouse entrepreneur in the resume industry, Robynn's journey exemplifies the grit, humor, and strategic thinking needed to navigate modern professional landscapes. She has built a multimillion-dollar business by understanding not just how to craft compelling professional narratives, but by genuinely connecting with people during their most vulnerable career transitions. Robynn's philosophy transcends typical career advice. She believes in the power of authenticity, taking chances, and knowing your worth in professional settings. Through her candid storytelling and no-nonsense approach, she invites readers to reconsider their relationship with work, ambition, and self-worth. Whether you're starting your career, facing a difficult workplace challenge, or contemplating a major professional shift, Robynn offers hard-earned insights about building confidence, cultivating resilience, and finding meaning in your professional journey—all while maintaining a refreshing sense of humor and humanity.

Chapter 1: The Hustler's Beginning: From Small Town to Business Owner

Robynn Storey's entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from an early age by observing her grandfather, a small-town bookie who embodied the true definition of a hustler. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, she witnessed how he would accept any job, any opportunity to make money, taking on side gigs alongside his factory job making tennis balls and his weekend work as a bartender. These early Saturday morning memories of collecting money and playing cards for nickels and dimes instilled in her not just a comfort with risk, but an attraction to it. This early exposure to gambling—both literal and metaphorical—shaped Robynn's approach to life and business. She learned that sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but the excitement of the game itself was the true reward. Unlike many entrepreneurs who focus solely on money, Robynn developed an appreciation for "the thrill of the game" and the passion that drives risk-takers to bet on themselves and their abilities. The transition from these humble beginnings to business owner wasn't linear or immediate. After college, Robynn worked in corporate roles, eventually reaching a six-figure salary. But despite this apparent success, she felt unfulfilled, particularly when faced with the guilt of dragging her young children to early morning meetings. In a decision that would seem reckless to many, she abandoned her comfortable corporate position to become a waitress while building her resume business on the side. Her waitressing skills left much to be desired—she admits to dropping trays of glasses and spilling red wine on a businessman in a white shirt. Yet her willingness to work any shift, take on any event, and persist through challenges demonstrated the same hustler mentality she had observed in her grandfather. She stashed away one-dollar bills "like a stripper stashes them in her G-string," slowly building up enough funds to transition to full-time resume writing. The early years of her business were lean, with her first year of full-time resume writing bringing in just $30,000. But the 2008 mortgage crisis became her unexpected breakthrough moment, as laid-off professionals suddenly needed resume services en masse. When approached by a mortgage company to write nearly 90 resume packages for their management team, Robynn embraced the challenge despite its seemingly impossible scope. This "fake it 'til you make it" moment demanded working around the clock, but resulted in more income than she'd made in years of part-time work combined. Robynn's story demonstrates that success in entrepreneurship isn't about avoiding risk but embracing it strategically. As she built Storeyline Resumes into a company that would eventually generate nearly $10 million in annual revenue, she continued to embody her grandfather's philosophy: don't be afraid to bet on yourself, because even if you don't always win, the willingness to take chances often leads to the greatest rewards.

Chapter 2: Taking Chances: The 'Fake It Till You Make It' Philosophy

When Robynn first launched her resume company in 2000, she was doing it part-time while maintaining a full-time corporate position. Her days were spent at her day job, and her nights were dedicated to interviewing clients, putting her children to bed, and developing resumes during the late hours. This double life continued for years until the mortgage bubble burst in 2008, creating an unexpected opportunity that would test her resolve and shape her future business philosophy. The economic collapse led to massive layoffs across industries, with unemployment jumping from 5% to 10% in just two years. During this tumultuous period, Robynn received a call from a mortgage company executive asking if she could write resume packages for a few employees who were losing their jobs. Without hesitation, she agreed—only to discover they needed 89 resume packages completed within six weeks. Rather than backing down from this seemingly impossible task, Robynn embraced what would become her signature approach: "fake it 'til you make it." This philosophy isn't about deception but about having the courage to say yes to opportunities that stretch your capabilities, then rising to meet them. During those six weeks, Robynn worked around the clock, sometimes interviewing clients in the middle of the night to accommodate time differences. She worked weekends and pushed herself beyond what she thought possible, ultimately earning about $30,000—more than she'd made in the previous few years combined. The experience taught Robynn that growth often happens at the edge of comfort, and that confidence can be cultivated through challenging situations. She shares the story of a client who was managing warehouse operations for a small manufacturing company when an opportunity arose to lead three large distribution centers—a position that would increase his salary from $80,000 to $175,000. Despite his qualifications, the client was hesitant, believing he would be in over his head and likely fail. Robynn encouraged him with her "fake it 'til you make it" philosophy, asking him pointed questions: What's the worst thing that could happen? Do you want to make more money? Could you learn the company's technology and act confident even when you don't feel confident? When he answered yes to these questions, he took the leap—and succeeded in his new role. Through these experiences, Robynn developed a core belief that saying "yes" instead of "no" can elevate careers to new heights. She advocates for stepping into opportunities that seem beyond your current abilities, trusting that you can grow into them. This approach has not only shaped her own journey from part-time resume writer to successful business owner but has also become central to the advice she gives clients facing pivotal career decisions.

Chapter 3: Creating Opportunity in the Resume Industry

Robynn's insight into the power of a well-crafted resume transformed what many see as a mundane document into a life-changing tool. While reviewing clients' existing resumes, she was often shocked by their poor quality, asking them, "Do you realize this is the ONE thing that YOU have the power over to make an impression on a hiring manager for a job that may change your life?" This perspective shift became the foundation of her business approach—helping people understand that a resume isn't merely a piece of paper but the key that unlocks professional opportunities. The stories of transformation through Storeyline Resumes demonstrate the tangible impact of Robynn's work. She recounts helping a 22-year-old warehouse assistant shift supervisor who had improved training programs and reduced turnover by 50% but remained stuck at $75,000 a year with limited growth opportunities. After working with Robynn to highlight his 22 different accomplishments and include metrics that showcased his impact, he quickly landed interviews and eventually received a $120,000 job offer—a $45,000 increase for a $589 investment in resume services. Even more dramatic was the case of a healthcare professional who transitioned from a $50,000 administrative role to a $300,000 position with a top medical device company within six years. Robynn's team leveraged his hands-on nursing experience and industry knowledge to position him uniquely in the medical sales field, creating a resume that helped him increase his salary sixfold for an investment of just $689. Robynn identified a common problem in the professional world—people consistently underselling themselves on their resumes. She noticed this particularly affected women, who often felt uncomfortable showcasing their leadership and accomplishments. Her approach was to help clients overcome this hesitation, showing ALL they contributed and measuring success in concrete terms. As she puts it, "While humility is a great virtue to have, there is no place for humble pie on your resume." Her business also addresses the harmful practice of "under-titling" employees to keep salaries low. She cites the example of a marketing associate who was performing executive-level work—setting strategy, managing teams and budgets, and overseeing all facets of marketing—but making only $80,000 instead of the $125,000 market rate for her responsibilities. By packaging her as a marketing leader on her resume rather than focusing on her official title, Robynn helped her secure progressively better positions, eventually becoming a Chief Marketing Officer for a $100 million company. Through these examples, Robynn demonstrates how her business creates opportunity not just by improving documents, but by fundamentally changing how people perceive and present their professional value. Her insight that "everyone has a story" and her talent for helping people effectively tell theirs has transformed countless careers while building her own multimillion-dollar enterprise.

Chapter 4: The Power of Personal Stories and Professional Relationships

Throughout her career, Robynn has discovered that the most impactful aspect of her work isn't just crafting professional documents—it's the human connections formed through sharing personal stories. Having grown up in a small Pennsylvania town with a population of about 600 people, Robynn never imagined she would one day interact with celebrities, executives, and professionals from across the globe. Yet through her phone-based business model, she has built deep connections with clients she's never met in person, learning about their lives, families, successes, and struggles. These connections have crossed into unexpected territory, including working with famous clients she legally cannot name. Her first brush with celebrity came through a personal assistant to one of Hollywood's most famous actresses—someone who had been friends with icons like Madonna, Michael Jackson, and even Marilyn Monroe. What was supposed to be a standard hour-long client call turned into a three-hour conversation as Robynn, completely starstruck, listened to stories about private jets dispatched on a whim and impromptu shopping trips to Paris. This was the first of many "famous or nearly famous" clients, including politicians, executives in the news for the wrong reasons, former child actors, musicians, and professional athletes. One particularly memorable client was a former NFL player who, after eight years in the league, had invested his money in restaurants and nightclubs in his hometown. While financially successful, his evening routine of being surrounded by adoring female fans was threatening his marriage. His wife issued an ultimatum—either choose his family or his groupies. Working with Robynn, they developed a resume that highlighted his sports career while translating his skills to new contexts, eventually leading to a position as an athletic director at a private school—a role that satisfied both his need for recognition and his family's needs. Robynn also recounts working with a Chief Operating Officer from a large telecommunications company who had been featured in Forbes magazine but was now facing corporate trouble, declining market share, and investor pressure. Rather than judging his fall from grace, Robynn approached him with empathy, recognizing that "every single person struggles in their career" regardless of their title or previous success. This attitude of non-judgment has been crucial to building trust with clients during vulnerable career transitions. These relationships have taught Robynn that career navigation is a universally challenging experience that requires resilience, adaptability, and persistence. She advises professionals to stay positive despite rejection, build strong networks before they're needed, focus on continuous self-improvement, and maintain a personal brand that authentically reflects their values and strengths. Most importantly, she emphasizes that careers rarely follow linear paths—the executive facing financial ruin today might find greater happiness in a less high-profile role tomorrow. Through these deeply personal interactions with clients across all levels of success and celebrity, Robynn has learned that authentic human connection is the foundation of both effective career guidance and business growth. Her ability to listen without judgment, offer practical advice tailored to individual situations, and maintain relationships over years has been as important to her success as her technical resume-writing skills.

Chapter 5: Building a Multi-Million Dollar Business on Empathy

Robynn's journey from struggling waitress to successful entrepreneur wasn't built on cutting-edge technology or venture capital—it was built on genuine human connection and empathy. While the resume industry might seem straightforward, Robynn recognized early on that she wasn't just selling documents; she was providing hope, confidence, and new beginnings to people during some of their most vulnerable professional moments. This understanding became the cornerstone of her business approach. The economic collapse of 2008 presented both a challenge and an opportunity that would transform her small operation. When approached to create 89 resume packages in six weeks for employees losing their jobs in the mortgage industry, Robynn didn't just see a business transaction—she saw 89 individuals whose livelihoods were at stake. Working around the clock, she delivered quality work that recognized the humanity behind each resume, earning $30,000 in those six weeks—more than she'd made in the previous few years combined. This pivotal moment taught Robynn that scaling her business would require building a team that shared her values. She began hiring writers, interviewers, and administrative staff who could maintain the personal touch that distinguished her service. Her first hire was Will, a comedy writer for television who brought humor and a fresh perspective to resume writing. Since then, she's expanded to a team of over 60 people, many of whom have stayed with the company for 5, 10, or even 15 years—a testament to her leadership philosophy of treating employees "with dignity, respect, and care." Robynn's hiring approach is distinctively human-centered: "Since Will, we only hire people with a sense of humor." This requirement isn't frivolous—it reflects her understanding that in a high-stress job helping people through career transitions, the ability to "give a laugh and have a laugh" creates a supportive environment for both employees and clients. This culture of empathy extends to how the company handles clients from diverse backgrounds. She recounts working with a client named Mohammed who had been advised to change his name to "Michael" after 9/11 to "fit in" with American workplace culture. Rather than accepting this practice, Robynn advocates for embracing cultural identity, arguing that diversity in the workplace goes beyond physical appearances to include "the rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and perspectives that different cultures bring." This stance isn't just moral posturing—it's good business, creating an inclusive service that respects clients' authentic selves. By 2022, Robynn's empathy-first approach had built Storeyline Resumes into a business generating nearly $10 million in annual revenue. The growth from her first year of full-time resume writing ($30,000) to this level of success demonstrates that emotional intelligence and genuine care can be powerful drivers of business performance. Robynn's ability to balance empathy with entrepreneurship—caring deeply about individual stories while building systems to serve hundreds of thousands of clients—has created both financial success and meaningful impact in countless professional lives.

Chapter 6: Career Confidence: Navigating Workplace Challenges

Robynn's approach to building career confidence centers on the understanding that workplace challenges are universal yet deeply personal. She acknowledges that getting fired—which happens to approximately 40% of professionals at least once—can feel devastating but is often a catalyst for growth. During the pandemic alone, 18 million Americans lost their jobs, demonstrating that layoffs "do not discriminate" and can affect anyone regardless of industry, title, or performance. To navigate these challenges effectively, Robynn advocates for preparation rather than panic. She recommends maintaining an "active resume" that documents accomplishments as they happen, building a network while still employed, collecting recommendations from supervisors and colleagues, saving emergency funds, and understanding your legal rights regarding severance and benefits. This proactive approach transforms potential career disruptions from catastrophes into manageable transitions. Robynn shares the story of a client who faced three layoffs in rapid succession after 2020. The first came when elective surgeries were suspended during the pandemic, eliminating the need for the medical devices she sold. The second occurred when her company outsourced its entire sales team. The third followed a hasty job acceptance that revealed unreasonable travel expectations and commission structures. After sending hundreds of resumes and facing countless rejections, this single mother of two was emotionally exhausted. Her turning point came when she took an unexpected action—a beach vacation with her children. This two-week respite allowed her to disconnect from the job search, reconnect with her family, and return with renewed focus. Instead of continuing her scattershot approach, she systematically reached out to her network, created targeted company lists, and leveraged LinkedIn connections for introductions. Within a month, she received a $130,000 offer in the wine and spirits industry—a field she'd never worked in before. This story illustrates Robynn's key insight: career resilience comes from flexibility, self-awareness, and strategic action. "We are not just one thing; we are many things," she explains, encouraging professionals to consider roles outside their comfort zones. A truck driver can become a dispatch manager; a marketing professional can pivot to human resources; and a medical device salesperson can excel in the beverage industry. Robynn also tackles the challenges of toxic workplaces and difficult bosses—issues that have become increasingly common as companies face pressure to "do more with less." She shares the experience of a hotel employee named Maria who worked 71 consecutive days without a break when her new supervisor failed to replace departing staff. Rather than immediately recommending resignation, Robynn advised setting boundaries while acknowledging the financial realities that prevented Maria from simply quitting. Through these examples, Robynn demonstrates that career confidence isn't about avoiding challenges but developing the skills to navigate them effectively. Whether facing unemployment, toxic leadership, or overwhelming workloads, professionals can build resilience by understanding their value, recognizing when to persist and when to pivot, and maintaining perspective about the role of work in their broader lives.

Chapter 7: The Mister Rogers Philosophy: Kindness in Business

At the core of Robynn Storey's business philosophy lies an unexpected influence—Fred Rogers, the beloved creator and host of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." Growing up just seven miles from where Mr. Rogers lived, Robynn was deeply impacted by his messages of kindness, acceptance, and compassion. While her straight-talking, occasionally profane communication style might seem at odds with Rogers' gentle demeanor, she has internalized his fundamental values and applied them to her business interactions. This philosophy was powerfully illustrated when Robynn received a LinkedIn message from a young HR professional struggling in her job search. As they conversed, Robynn sensed something deeper than career frustration and asked, "What's really going on here?" The woman revealed she had a newborn baby, no food, no money, and no family support after being laid off. Without hesitation, Robynn asked for her address and sent a large grocery delivery—diapers, milk, bread, meat, and household items to sustain them for weeks. This act of generosity toward a complete stranger exemplifies what Robynn calls the "Mister Rogers philosophy" in action. She particularly resonates with the advice Rogers' mother gave him: "When you are frightened, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." This perspective has guided Robynn to not only seek out helpers during difficult times but to become one herself, particularly for professionals navigating career crises. Despite her success building a multimillion-dollar business, Robynn spends much of her time offering free advice to hundreds of job seekers who message her on LinkedIn daily. She listens to their struggles, celebrates their victories, offers practical guidance, and sometimes simply provides emotional support during challenging career transitions. While acknowledging her own imperfections—"I have the mouth of a truck driver, I get angry, I am impulsive"—she strives to embody Rogers' values of empathy and genuine concern for others. Robynn lives by several of Rogers' most powerful quotes, including "You are special, and so is your neighbor," "The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self," and "Listening is where love begins: listening to ourselves and then to our neighbors." She particularly emphasizes his insight that "Love isn't a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now." This philosophy has proven not just morally satisfying but commercially successful. By treating both clients and employees with genuine respect and compassion, Robynn has built a business that stands out in an often transactional industry. Her approach demonstrates that kindness isn't at odds with profitability—in fact, it can be a competitive advantage when authentically practiced. As she puts it, "When you adopt this type of attitude, where most of your words, thoughts, and actions are based on kindness, empathy, and compassion, you make the world a better place. One thought, one word, one action at a time."

Summary

Robynn Storey's journey from a small-town Pennsylvania girl to a multimillion-dollar business owner embodies the transformation that happens when authentic self-belief meets strategic action. Her core message resonates beyond resume writing or career navigation—it's about recognizing your intrinsic value and having the courage to bet on yourself when others might not. Through her candid storytelling and practical wisdom, she demonstrates that career success isn't about avoiding challenges but developing the confidence to face them head-on, whether that means saying yes to opportunities that seem beyond your current capabilities or setting boundaries in toxic workplace environments. The most profound lesson from Robynn's story is that genuine human connection remains the foundation of both personal fulfillment and professional success. In a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, automation, and digital communication, her empathy-first approach reminds us that understanding people's stories—their struggles, aspirations, and unique talents—is not just good for business but essential for meaningful work. Whether you're launching a career, facing unemployment, navigating workplace challenges, or building your own venture, Robynn's blend of street-smart hustle and Mister Rogers-inspired kindness offers a refreshing alternative to conventional career wisdom: be authentic, take calculated risks, know your worth, and never underestimate the power of treating others with dignity and compassion.

About Author

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Robynn Storey

Robynn Storey is the founder and CEO of Storeyline Resumes, one of the most prominent executive resume writing and career coaching firms in the United States. With over two decades of experience in Human Resources and recruiting, Storey has built a reputation for helping senior-level professionals navigate complex job markets. She is the author of Career Confidence: No-BS Stories and Strategies for Finding Your Power.\nStorey’s company, Storeyline Resumes, has assisted hundreds of thousands of clients in securing leadership roles across various industries. Her approach combines practical branding strategies with a deep understanding of the hiring process. She is widely recognized for her influential presence on LinkedIn, where her daily insights on workplace culture, salary negotiation, and ageism reach millions of professionals.\nIn Career Confidence, Storey distills her years of experience into a guide that empowers job seekers to advocate for their worth. She challenges common hiring myths and encourages candidates to embrace their unique value propositions. Storey’s direct, transparent style has made her a trusted advisor for executives seeking to pivot industries or ascend to the C-suite.

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