Good Fortune

Writing about sustainable startups and interviewing Impact Founders to inspire your next impact project, startup, or side hustle. 

Good Fortune will help you:
🌱 Discover sustainable businesses
🧠 Learn from Impact Founders
🌍 Meet likeminded change makers

Founder

Swinburne Design Factory Melbourne

Developing new products, services, and experiences for the innovation world.

Working with Industry, Government, and Individuals to better understand their world and design new solutions to make it a better one.

Senior Product Development Manager

Create Kaizen

I design tools, workshops, and learning programs for tech leaders to:
- Build innovative teams
- Improve creative collaboration
- Build human-centered organizations
- Create systems to navigate uncertainty
- Develop creative problem solving practices

Strategic Designer & Facilitator

Designit

- Lead discovery research, persona building, and journey mapping for transformation projects
- Designed and facilitated AI enablement workshops for exploration and implementation
- Partnered with BizDev to identify customer needs across partner orgs
- Implemented Design Thinking to tackle creative business transformation problems

Strategic Design Lead

NOBA

NOBA partners with companies to build and launch new products, services, or business models.

I supported digital, innovation, and marketing teams in different stages of the development and launch of new products:
- Defining the value propositions and business model for new products and services
- Testing and learning through business prototyping - building and launching an alpha version of the business, gathering metrics, and iterating with real customers
- Driving a soft market launch to start growing the customer base before scaling

Business Designer

NerdWallet

- Software development planning and visibility at all levels of management
- End to end quarterly planning for cross-functional pods
- Manage communication touchpoints between Product, Engineering, Design, Data
- Agile coaching for NerdWallet feature teams
- Program Management for Content Design team

NerdWallet is on a mission to provide clarity for all of life’s financial decisions. We provide consumers with expert, personalized, and actionable guidance across a range of personal finance topics. Whether you’re shopping for a new credit card or mortgage, hoping to refinance a student loan, interested in learning more about investing, or just want to stay on top of your money, we do the homework for you, simplifying complex ideas so you have the information and tools you need to make the right decision for you.

Backed by IVP, RRE Ventures, iGlobe Partners and Silicon Valley Bank, among others, NerdWallet has been certified a Great Place to Work and named one of the Best Workplaces in the Bay Area™ 2020 by Fortune. We’ve been recognized for our stellar benefits, too, from world-class health, vision, and dental insurance to our matching 401(k) program to our generous time off and parental leave policies. 

Based in San Francisco, we have more than 400 passionate “Nerds” around the country, and we’re growing every day. Whether you’re committed to helping consumers or  excited about working for a profitable tech company or interested in growing professionally—or all of the above!—we’d love to hear from you. Check out our job openings here: http://www.nerdwallet.com/careers

Program Manager

- Project manager for Content Design team, creating graphics, illustrations, animations and editorial videos
- Certified ScrumMaster, Scrum Alliance
- Refine and streamline department processes to maintain efficiency and scalability in a fast growing startup environment
- Facilitate projects for a stakeholder team of 90 Content Strategists, Assigning Editors, Copy Editors, and Writers in team operations and communication
- Develop and oversee quantitative success metrics and key performance indicators for Content and Content Design teams
- Advise Content team on institutional knowledge, the fluid inner workings of startup company operations and their position in it

Content Operations and Project Management

Interscope Records

- Coordinated photo shoots and graphic design work for 100+ artist roster
- Oversaw and refined end to end project portals for photographers, stylists, graphic designers, etc.
- Created and resolved photography and art contracts for all creative services provided to Interscope artists
- Organized and facilitated all travel, setup and production operations  for Interscope directors, photographers, producers, and stylist  teams
- Refined organizational strategy, including artist archiving, scheduling, and soliciting promotional materials

Creative Marketing

Opus Bank

- Consulted high net-worth banking clientele, managing accounts $500k-$1mm in balances
- Spearheaded sales team who aquired $50mm in deposits since inception 10.17.2011
- Integral part of opening and growing de novo banking office
- Integrated new sales, appointment, and follow up pipelines for Opus Bank de novo offices
- Generated qualified large acquisition meetings for VP/Retail Banking Manager

Client Services

Want to build a business that makes money AND makes a difference?

I break down exactly how successful impact founders are doing it.

Through conversations with founders and detailed case studies, I uncover the strategies and tactics that actually work in social impact.

At Good Fortune, I'm creating:
🎙️ Deep-dive conversations with impact founders sharing their playbook
📧 Weekly newsletters breaking down successful impact businesses
🛠️ Free, actionable tools for bootstrapped teams (like our Tactic Cards)

Everything I make is designed to help you:
- Validate your impact business idea
- Find and connect with your first customers
- Grow sustainably while maximizing impact
- Navigate the unique challenges of social enterprise

Want actionable insights for your impact business?

→ Subscribe to my weekly newsletter
→ Download free Tactic Cards
→ Listen to the latest founder deep dives


A bit more about me and why I love doing this:
🏄 I've always been an "experience channel surfer" (look at my work history)
💭 I love finding the overlap between creativity, strategy, and impact
🙏 I want to create things that enable others to do their best work

Give me a follow 🔔 for free content and learnings shared daily, or reach out if you want to talk strategy and social innovation (whatever that means to you).

Jake Carroll

Jean Kang

Path to PM

"Jean isn’t a program manager coach solely because she’s done the role. She’s a coach because she’s done both the role AND gone the extra mile to document what she’s researched and learned masterfully. 

“Jean’s the real deal, and I couldn’t recommend her more to someone questioning how to take the next step in their career."

Founder & CEO

LinkedIn

Instructor profile: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/instructors/jean-kang

LinkedIn Learning Instructor 

Business Insider

Contributing Writer

Figma

Focus on leadership strategy and helping Product Support operate with even greater agility, clarity and cohesion

Strategic Program Manager

First Program Manager on Product Support, leading some of our most strategic organizational and company initiatives in partnership with cross-functional leaders across Legal, Product and Eng, Marketing, Comm, and Security

Senior Program Manager

CX GTM program manager responsible for how CS goes to market with Product through scaled enablement such as training, communication, and playbooks for 200+ CSMs globally across 11 offices.

Global GTM Enablement Program Manager

Chief of Staff, Women at Linkedin

UN Women

Board Member

Pinterest

Advertiser Ops & Strategy

Facebook

Client Solutions Manager

Intuit

SMB Sales

✨ PM Career Coach, x7 pivoter, helping other pivoters land amazing Program Manager roles and 🔥 thrive on the job | Founder of 🚀 Path to PM | Senior Program Manager @ Figma • Ex-Linkedin, Meta, Pinterest, Intuit

Over the last decade, I led impactful programs at companies like LinkedIn, Pinterest, & Figma.

But here’s the part that surprises people:

- I didn’t have a PMP certification.
- I’m a proud career pivoter. 
- I didn’t check every box.

What I did have was strategy, storytelling, and a clear sense of how to articulate my value.

That’s how I landed multiple 6-figure Program Manager roles at top tech companies not by following the “traditional” path, but by leaning into my superpowers. 

Eventually, I had a spark to do something different..

What if I used the same skills that helped me thrive in Big Tech… to build something of my own?

So I left to bet on myself (again). 

And what served me well in my career also helped me as a solopreneur.

I owned my story, built with intention and shared learnings in public.

I started creating content in 2023 and in 2 years, built a community of 350K+ across LinkedIn, Instagram, and my newsletter.

Today, I’m the founder of the PM Accelerator, a career transformation program where I help senior professionals land high-paying PM roles without another certification or starting over. 

My mission is to democratize access to tech careers + empower folks to design a career, business & life they love especially in this era of AI.

The Results:

→ Partnered with Google, Hubspot, NVIDIA, Adobe, Kajabi, Notion, & more
→ LinkedIn Learning Instructor with 200K+ learners
→ 100M+ impressions over the last year
→ 230K+ follow my journey on LinkedIn
→ Built a $200K+ business in 1 year 
→ 32K+ read my newsletter 
→ (soon TEDx speaker 😱)

If you want to learn the exact framework I used to land dream PM roles + help others do the same… 

📌 APPLY TO THE PM ACCELERATOR (link in bio)

In this 5-week career acceleration program, I teach you how to get interviews, land dream offers and literally thrive on the job.  

I helped 100+ students land PM roles at Microsoft, SoFi, Scale.AI, Adidas, Workday and more (many in under 4–7 weeks)

→ GO HERE: pm-accelerator.com 

📧 jean@jean-kang.com for partnerships, collaborations, and speaking opportunities

📌 Media kit: jean-kang.com

Imposter syndrome is a silent killer.

5 tips to beat it (and change your life 🔥)

—
☝🏼 Step 1: Recognize Your Fixed Mindset

Negative self-talk sounds like:

↳ “I’m not good enough.”
↳ “I always mess up.”
↳ “I’m too quiet.”

These aren’t facts—they are negative thoughts. Recognizing them is the first step.

—
✌🏼 Step 2: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Growth lives outside your comfort zone.

↳ Want to improve public speaking? Say yes to that presentation.
↳ Want to become a program manager? Raise your hand to lead that project.
↳ Want to create content? Start posting 3x a week.

The more you stretch, the more you grow.

—
🤟🏼 Step 3: Seek Meaningful Feedback

Feedback starts with you.

↳ Do a weekly retro: What worked? What didn’t? What’s next?
↳ Ask colleagues or friends: What should I do more of? Less of?

Feedback is a gift for growth.

—
🖖🏼 Step 4: Detach Your Self-Worth From Work

You are more than your job.

Grow in areas that align with your values:

↳ Nurture relationships.
↳ Pursue passion projects.
↳ Volunteer or give back.
↳ Prioritize hobbies that bring joy.

—
🖐🏼 Step 5: Add “…Yet” to Reframe

Turn self-doubt into self-belief with one word: “Yet.”

↳ “I’m not a great leader…yet.”
↳ “I’m not in my dream job…yet.”
↳ “I’m not a skilled writer…yet.”

If you can’t beat fear, just do it scared. If not you, then who?

What’s ONE step you can take today? 👇🏼

📌 P.S. And if you're into actionable tips, try out my newsletter.

I talk about leveling up your 9-to-5, building a fulfilling side hustle, and designing a life on your terms.

https://lnkd.in/gc2mu4yK

Repost to inspire someone who needs to hear it & follow Jean Kang for more 🙏🏼

Tech Creator (400k+) with 8M+ monthly views | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & Angel Investor helping you thrive at work using AI

Stop telling yourself you’re not qualified, good enough, or worthy.

Growth happens when you start 
doing the things you’re not qualified 
to do.

Surround yourself with people who fight for you in rooms you aren’t in.

I will never forget those who:

✔️ Advocated for me 
✔️ Believed in my worth 
✔️ Fought for opportunities 
✔️ Gave me credit for my work 
✔️ Praised my work to my manager 
✔️ Articulated my impact to leadership

Because of you, I’m dedicated to paying it forward.

And this is how you create a difference in someone’s life.
 __

6 ways to fight for someone (and leave a lasting impact)

☝🏼 Advocate for better terms

↳ Whether it’s pay, benefits, or recognition, use your voice to push for fairness.

✌🏼 Celebrate their successes

↳ Big or small, recognition will always be remembered.

🤟🏼 Offer nonjudgmental support

↳ Be the person they can lean on without fear of criticism.

🖖🏼 Speak on their behalf

↳ Share their achievements and advocate as though they’re in the room.

🙏🏼 Share resources or connections

↳ Share a simple introduction or resource that can make a difference in their work/life.

🤝🏼 Be their accountability partner

↳ Help them stay on track toward their goals by checking in weekly and celebrate milestones together.

Tag the people in your life who do this and show them your love 💙

P.S. I wrote down my dream of becoming a TEDx speaker (and then manifested it in just 3 months)

This Monday, I’m sharing the exact plan that made it happen. My friends called it genius.

Get it here → https://lnkd.in/gc2mu4yK

You will never forget those who took a chance on you when others rejected you.

Remote work changed my life.

More rest. Less stress.

And it works for most people:

Individuals, parents, caretakers, pet owners 🐶, or anyone in between.

WFH doesn’t just stand for:

Work. From. Home.

It also means:

- Work 💻
- Family 🙏🏼
- Health 🧘🏻‍♀️

It’s about flexibility and choice.

And with tools like Tango I’ve never been more productive.

Love how easy they made it to learn new processes and train employees efficiently (without being in the office).

Don’t believe me?

I made this quick tutorial on how to find 6-figure REMOTE jobs on LinkedIn

(it took 2 minutes)

The goal is to teach it once and never explain again 😱

👀 Find 6-Figure Remote Jobs on LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/e7SxhFdX

What’s your favorite part about remote work?

Repost if you love remote work 🙌🏼

I can’t stop thinking about this…

Never underestimate the quiet ones.

The ones who are quietly studying after work / on weekends.

Sending DMs to people they admire.

Choosing podcasts / books > Netflix.

Focused on being just 1% better every single day.

Self-education is what separates the goods from the GREATS.

Because when you choose to learn in your free time...

You’re building something no one can take away

That’s exactly how my “little” side hustle of posting on LinkedIn turned into a 6-fig business.

Allowing me to quit my dream tech job and replace my income in < 1 year.

Here’s how I approach learning something new:

1/ Get ridiculously clear on your learning goal

↳ What exactly am I trying to learn, and why does it matter right now?
↳ Write it down down: “I’m learning [X] so I can [Y] by [Z date].”

2/ Do a brutally honest skill audit

↳ Where am I truly starting from? Beginner? Intermediate?
↳ I rate myself on a 1–5 scale, then identify 1–2 focus areas for the week.

3/ Source high-quality content (not just what's trending)

↳ I follow 2–3 trusted experts who are 5 steps ahead (not 10).
↳ I choose one main format to learn from (podcast, YouTube, course, etc.).

4/ Build a non-negotiable learning routine

↳ I block 10–30 minutes daily on my calendar like it’s a real meeting.
↳ Write down key learnings every time + 1 action you can commit to.

5/ Create social accountability

↳ I tell a friend (or post publicly) what I’m working on.
↳ I set a tiny consequence if I fall off (like buying them lunch or sending $20).

If you’re not learning, you’re not growing.

What’s 1 thing you’re learning in 2025?

Drop it in the comments - I’d love to cheer you on!

PS. If you've been quietly putting in the work and you're ready for the next big leap…

I launched a 5-week program to help you land your next Program Manager role so you can be richer, happier, and thrive on the job (no PMP required)

✅ Apply now & chat with my team!
https://lnkd.in/eN_pc9rX

♻️ Repost to help more people stop waiting and start learning.

Never underestimate a person who practices self education in their free time.

What I learned about life.

It’s not meant to be easy.

It’s hard, uncomfortable, even painful at times.

Here’s what I mean:

↳ I was bullied growing up.
↳ I was fired from a job I loved.
↳ I lost my mom to cancer when I was 25.

I could’ve stayed angry but I chose to start over.

And by giving myself another ‘do over’:

✔️ I have amazing friends & mentors
✔️ I landed dream jobs at dream companies
✔️ I built a 6-figure business doing what I love
✔️ I found the love of my life (I made the first move)

It’s never too late to rewrite your story.

And know what else?

Your environment matters more than you know.

People thrive when things are clear.

Teams thrive when systems replace chaos.

Companies thrive when employees have tools to do their best work.

And I’m so grateful to partner with Jotform, an incredibly powerful and intuitive form builder to help teams operate faster and smarter (all driven by data).

With their updated Enterprise version (2.0), they're giving companies a clearer & more thoughtful way to organize/understand their data, and build systems that run quietly in the background.

I love their new admin console that centralizes literally everything (think assets and analytics), access to a curated help center + actionable guides, and ability to create visual dashboards to see what actually works (and doesn’t).

While it’s never too late to start over,
it can be too late to stay stuck.

A toxic partner costs your peace.
A bad process can cost thousands.
A role with no growth drains your potential.

If you’re looking for a solution that is truly tailored for your custom needs: better data, cleaner workflows, and a centralized source-of-truth,

I highly recommend you try out Jotform: https://lnkd.in/eQepb6wn

What’s 1 hard thing you can do today that your future self with thank you for?

Don’t be afraid to start over again. 
You may like your new story better.


Introverts love remote work.

I noticed I’m way more productive WFH.

No more dealing with:

- Office distractions
- Endless meetings
- Commuting

I’ve traded it for:

- Flexibility
- A quiet mind
- A healthier body

The truth is: people operate at their best in an environment that works for them.

It can be hybrid, in-office, or entirely remote.

For many introverts like me, it’s a dream lifestyle 🥹.

And with tools like Jotform, an incredibly powerful and intuitive form builder, I’ve never been more productive. 

I love how ridiculously simple they make online data and payment collection that enable me to build strong systems that operate in the background.

It’s no surprise that it’s literally trusted by 34M users worldwide including nonprofits, SMBs and enterprises that may need bespoke tools for gathering better data. 

Remote work isn’t just a new way of working.

It’s a new way of living. 

Did you know Jotform has AI-powered template creation that lets users generate server-wide forms from a single prompt and makes them available to everyone at work?

🔗 Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eNy3fNFP

Repost if you love remote work 🙌🏼

Leadership is not a title.

And not all bosses are leaders.

I’ve worked at some of the best companies in the world.

But you know what?

Great companies don’t = quality bosses.

If I were to go back to corporate, I would choose my boss over any paycheck.

Because no paycheck is worth your mental health 💙

__

7 Qualities of a Great Leader:

✅ Lead by example

✅ Values & respects you

✅ Have your best interests

✅ Be kind and constructive

✅ Care about you as a person

✅ Help you grow in your career

✅ Advocate for you in rooms you’re not in

A good boss is better than a good company.

Repost if you agree 🙏🏼 and follow Jean Kang for more.

a toxic boss will cost you more than any paycheck

What I used to care about (before accepting a job)

↳ Perks (Free food, swag, etc)
↳ Company name
↳ Location
↳ Title

What I care about now (after I got all the above)

★ Flexible time off (without the guilt)

★ A manager who has my back

★ Growth opportunities

★ Psychological safety

★ Exciting challenges

★ Supportive team

★ Remote-friendly

The superficial things are temporary bliss.

Prioritize your non-negotiables.

And assess your list regularly.

If you’re looking for a job, I hope you find the right role, culture and boss for you 💙.

What’s your non-negotiable? 👇🏼

Things employees don't care about
- title
- perks
- benefits
- company name
- nice office

What employees actually care about
- Flexible time off (without the guilt)
- A manager who has my back
- Growth opportunities
- Psychological safety
- Exciting challenges
- Supportive team
- Remote-friendly

Rule for life: Don’t get stuck in the wrong place

9 questions to ask to get UNSTUCK (and break free 🦋):

1. Am I learning and growing?

→ Do I feel challenged and stimulated in my current role?

2. Do I feel like I can make an impact?

→ Am I contributing meaningfully to the team and organization?

3. Do I align with the values of the company?

→ Do our shared beliefs and goals resonate?

4. Am I being valued and recognized for my work?

→ Do I feel appreciated and rewarded for my contributions?

5. Do I enjoy working with my team and my boss?

→ Are there positive relationships and support at work?

6. Am I being underutilized or overextended?

→ Is my workload balanced and fulfilling?

7. Am I feeling burnt out or stressed?

→ Is my mental and emotional health being affected?

8. Am I aligned with the company's direction and goals?

→ Do I see a clear path for my career growth within the organization?

9. Am I considering alternative career paths or opportunities?

→ Do I feel hopeful about exploring new possibilities?

It's better to admit you walked through the wrong door than to spend your life in the wrong room. Repost if you agree 🙏🏼

P.S. Grab my worksheet for finding a job you love and the best-curated big tech interview guide from places like Meta, Pinterest & Apple

🎁 Just add your email and get it for free https://lnkd.in/ef2GJX5P

Better to admit you walked in the wrong
door than spend your life in the wrong room. 

You’re gonna want to save THIS 📌

Companies like Google, Meta, & Amazon have public interview guides that outline exactly what they’re looking for.

I love democratizing access to incredible resources (and access to tech)

So here are a few of my favorite public guides (all free!) 🎁

1/ Meta Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/e-SPVNfv

2/ Amazon Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/ed9vUHbU

3/ Microsoft Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/eA69HGkF

4/ Google Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/eTmtDJrZ

5/ NVIDIA Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/ex_bQfUn

6/ Spotify Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/eA8gVRtV

7/ Uber Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/equ-Bqfk

8/ Pinterest Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/e4tERBsu

9/ Apple Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/eQwvT2Ad

10/ Salesforce Interview Guide:

https://lnkd.in/eEwyfHdH

May new doors open for you this before end of year 🙏🏼

📌 P.S. And if you're into actionable tips, try out my newsletter.

I talk about leveling up your 9-to-5, building a fulfilling side hustle, and designing a life on your terms.

https://lnkd.in/gc2mu4yK 

🙌🏼 Share this with your network to help them nail their interviews and land dream roles & follow Jean Kang for more

10 Big Tech Interview Guides

I think I get the Formula 1 hype now ✨

F1 is one of the rare sports that brings together the human and the machine ⚙️🏎️

I spent all week in Vegas with Atlassian and Williams Racing and saw up close how world class collaboration really works.

They invest in people, hardware and software to keep thousands of team members operating at their best.

Everything moves in sync so parts get to the track faster, and the car gets faster too 💨

It was surreal to watch a high performance team move in true harmony.

Who else cheered for Atlassian Williams Racing? 🙌🏼🏎️

#ad #atlassianpartner #f1

Brand partnership • Tech Creator (400k+) with 8M+ monthly views | Ex-LinkedIn, Meta, Figma | Solopreneur, TEDx Speaker & Angel Investor helping you thrive at work using AI

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The Battle

Jake Carroll

Jean Kang

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The Battle

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Likes

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