Leaving Wall Street

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have Susan Peterson Wisnewski describing her journey from investment banker to author.

Here’s Susan!
Briefly describe your first act.

I’ve had several acts – the first was a stint in the world of finance. I was an investment banker and sold bonds to financial institutions specifically credit unions, regional banks and pension funds for over a decade. Sounds glamorous but a woman in the 1980’s & 1990’s was not welcomed on Wall Street especially if she was successful. I tired of not only the stress from my job but the added stress of not feeling welcome by an all boys club.

What triggered the need for change?

The trigger for change was the secret desire to write – its always been there but well hidden.

Where are you now?

I have one book published and the second just about completed – it’s going through the rewrites, critiques, and edits with a third about halfway done. Two more are flying around in my brain!

Do you have advice for anyone planning to pursue a second act?

My advice for anyone contemplating a second act is what inspired me to do it – “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, the relationships we are afraid to have, and the decisions we waited too long make.” I don’t want regrets.

Any affirmations or quotations you wish to share?

The one quote that I read just before I reached a milestone birthday was this: “…silence is not a natural environment for stories. They need words. Without then they grow pale, sicken, and die. And then they haunt you.” Diane Setterfield, The Thirteenth Tale. Not wanting to be haunted a moment more I pulled out my I-Pad and began writing and haven’t stopped.

Blurb from Secrets in San Remo

This is a story about the trials and triumphs of life and love. When Maggie McCormick finds herself unemployed and over 40 can she rebuild her career and find love at the same time? This poignant tale is a vivid page-turner which will keep you entrapped within the magic of its beautifully woven storyline.

Where to find Susan…

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Joanne here!

Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey, Susan. Secrets in San Remo sounds delicious…I’m putting it on my TBR list.

4 responses to “Leaving Wall Street”

As one of the newbie’s on Second Act, I enjoyed reading about your switch from Wall Street to author. I have the desire to write, just need the time and the commitment to write more than blogs and poems. This quote should give me more incentive: “If you had started doing anything two weeks ago, by today you would have been two weeks better at it.”
― John Mayer

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I also left Wall Street. First tried Corporate world, liked it much better, but eventually quit because all I wanted to do was write. Ironically, I often get slammed on writing about misbehaving bosses, which some readers do not think realistic. They believe all men of power and CEOs behave properly all the time. I’m sure you’ll roll eyes with me on that. Wall Street was crazy misbehaving when I was there. And corporate world wasn’t much better..