We had the good fortune of connecting with Leslie Levito and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leslie, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’ve always been one to work hard. For decades working hard meant putting in the time and effort to produce results. It’s the success formula that I modeled based on what my parents did and the people around me did.

That’s not to formula for success. That’s the formula for burnout and disconnection.

By 40, I was a corporate executive making the coveted 6-figure income with the all the right things– and MBA, an executive title, the money, etc. But I was stressed out. When I wasn’t at work I was still thinking about it. I was rarely present with my husband or son.

All I could think about was the next hoop I needed to jump through, the next deliverable that was coming, the next thing to do… it was never enough and I was never enough.

It all came to a head one day when my 7 year old son complained about how little he saw me told me that “I would rather be homeless living on the streets if I could actually just BE with you.”

Then I started to notice how when I played with him I always had my phone nearby to answer a work text or email. Or how at dinner I was talking about some work incident and how my life was consumed by my work stress, issues, etc

 

What should our readers know about your business?
What I am happiest about is that I am finally working and doing something that is 100% aligned with my purpose. THIS is an unbelievable way to live because there is no work and life to balance– everything I do is an expression of who I am and I get to contribute to others in a meaningful way.

Getting here was quite the journey. I followed the traditional path to success; good grades, great school, get a job and work real hard. I climbed the corporate ladder to the top. The boxes to success were checked: executive title, cool job, 6-figure income, all of that.

The tradeoff was that I was at the verge of burnout, never present with my friends or family, and I was always stressed. Plus deep inside I was drowning. I was pretending everything was ok but I was miserable and unfulfilled.

In 2014 I jumped from the corporate ladder and started freelancing and consulting. The momentum continued and I co-founded a branding agency here in LA. It was amazing to be my own boss and have tons of freedom and flexibility– I replaced my 6 figure income and only had to work 25 hours a week.

But let’s also be real. Starting a business and switching over from employee to entrepreneurial mindset is not easy. I did a ton of personal work and was very intentional about creating my future. It is a journey that can be scary AF!

In 2020, I was re-evaluating my life (weren’t we all?) and decided that I wanted to show people how to do what I did, give them the fast track so to speak. That’s how Cutclass was born. With our initial program called Out to Launch Academy, we show people how to take their work experience into freelancing, consulting, or coaching.

We all have an opportunity to create work life balance and find fulfillment, There is no one way. It’s a journey, not a destination… and I am still learning each and every day.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, great question. It would depend on who they are!

For the sporty adventurous types, I would have to get them to have the snowboarding and surfing experience all in one day! So hitting the slopes of Mountain High and then the beach over in Venice– same day!

And if they wanted to chill then I would get them breakfast at Home State, I mean who doesn’t LOVE a breakfast taco or queso? And then maybe I hike followed by lunch at Joy or getting a picnic lunch together from Milk Farm. If we were staying near my home on the Eastside then Chifa is always a winner–– Peruvian Chinese food? No Brainer. As you can see I am into eating!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There have been SO many people that contributed to my life that this section could seriously be a book! Here are the highlights:

My family has been an incredible support from Day One. My parents gave me a strong start in life and my Mom continues to be my rock. Same with my husband– his support and love have allowed me to really grow and develop. My kids Logan and Niko are the reason I continue to push forward. And my siblings have all been my closest friends and so supportive.

My business partners and besties Rochelle and Shoghak are THE BEST! I have never had such a shared horizon of what the future holds and what we are creating with other team. And OMG, I have never laughed as hard or worked as hard as with these two.

I also have really incredible coaches who help be fine tune my performance and are constantly guiding me, Thank you so much Scott, Taylor, Jordan, and Tom!

Website: https://www.letscutclass.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lets_cutclass/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-levito-mba-33270813/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.levito

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