Website Spotlight: Prepare to Launch U

After years spent conquering the role of caregiver, chauffeur, chef and CEO of the family, many mothers feel ready to return to their previous positions in the workplace. But taking that leap back to work can be daunting. Now for the first time, there is a step-by-step guide toprepare women who have opted out to reboot their careers. Created by two moms who have dedicated their professional lives to empowering women, Prepare to Launch U is designed to take women from unsure to confident in 8 weeks.

“Prepare to Launch U began as a live course in Connecticut and we decided to bring it online to make it flexible, affordable and accessible to women all over the country,” explained Susan Rietano Davey, Co-Founder of Prepare To Launch U. “Our students and focus groups have been clear. They want a comprehensive course that fits their lives and arms them with personal and professional tools to return to work.”

Enrollment kicked off on August 1^st and the course begins on October 1^st. Participants can get started now by taking the Prepare to Launch U online readiness assessment, and accessing other content on their website. In addition toinstruction, inspiration and practical advice, students of the course will be offered membership in an exclusive online community where they can share, support and learn from each other.

“Women excel at being multi-tasking pros for everyone in their world- husbands, children, parents, even friends- often at the cost of their own happiness and direction,” adds Kelley Biskupiak, Co-Founder of Prepare To Launch U.  “Prepare to Launch U provides women the opportunity to slow down, re-focus and reclaim a future vision for themselves.”

An estimated 43% of women will leave the workforce at some point and the majority of the time, it’s to take care of children. Ninety percent of those women intend for it to be a temporary leave. However, for some, it becomes a permanent leave when they don’t have the skills or tools to return to work. “Returning to work is not just about hitting a button and applying for a job,” said Rietano Davey. “It’s a process”. The course breaks the process into three key components: Reclaim, Refine and Re-launch.

“We’ve found that even a brief employment lapse comes with a loss of confidence,” said Rietano Davey.  “Even the most accomplished women need guidance, encouragement and tools to navigate their return to the rapidly-changing workplace.”

The business partners met while speaking at a women’s conference and soon recognized that they had complementary skills. With seven children between them, they completely understand the challenges of raising a family and pursuing a challenging profession.

Biskupiak trained at the esteemed Coaches Training Institute, earning a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach designation. For the past ten years, she has worked with clients to help them find clarity in the chaos and develop goal-based, purposeful plans that can be implemented into their daily lives. 

Rietano Davey joined a start-up staffing and consulting firm after having her children. The firm was the first to champion flexible work arrangements. As a 20-year pioneer in the field of work-life balance, she has helped countless women re-enter the workforce and numerous client-companies adopt flexible work policies. 

“The first module of our course guides women through five exercises to learn about who they are now – which may be different from who they were when they left the workplace,” said Biskupiak. “We love watching women’s confidence grow through this module because it’s often a lack of confidence that’s their biggest barrier to success.”

To help build women’s confidence, the partners like to share with prospective students the top four things they have learned from their combined 30 years of experience in the ‘return-to-work’ field:

1. A Gap in Your Résumé is Not a Career-Killer

Your years at home are just a blip in the now 50-year work paradigm. And they weren’t wasted – you’ve managed interesting ‘projects’ and honed valuable skills during your years at home.

2. The Workplace Needs More Female-Leaders Like You

Your time at home is valuable; its impact will be long lasting. But now, it’s time you bring your passion, skills, and experience back to the workplace to drive results and change culture.

3. Employers Hire Women Who Have Been Out of the Workplace

And research shows these women perform at the same rate (or better) than their colleagues.

4. You are Not Alone

There are thousands of women out there with similar dreams to yours – and similar obstacles. Join them and join us to knock down those obstacles and realize your dreams.

In response to the interest and eagerness for the online offering to begin, the co-founders are filming a series of 12 brief videos called "Office Hours" that answer some common questions about the back-to-work process. Watch atwww.preparetolaunchu.com/office-hours.

Women can also register to receive a weekly online newsletter, follow the partners on social media and, in August, enroll for their introductory, low cost mini-course.

“We are so excited to help more women navigate the road back to work,” concluded Rietano Davey. “And the timing couldn’t be better. Now, more than ever, the workplace is craving women’s skills and their voice.”

Prepare To Launch U is the definitive women’s career re-entry course designed to guide women through the unique challenges of returning to the workforce after opting out to care for family. Co-founders Kelley Biskupiak and Susan Rietano Davey have successfully helped hundreds of women relaunch into fulfilling careers. For more information or to register for the online course visitwww.preparetolaunchu.com.