After years of working inside some of the most recognizable names in tech—Facebook, Twitter, Stripe—Aideen Lowe stepped outside. Not because she had a meticulously mapped plan, but because she sensed it was time to try something different. Four years later, as an executive coach, communications trainer, and founder of Loud and Clear, she brings an insider’s experience and an outsider’s clarity.
We spoke with Aideen about the journey from in-house to independent, what it’s taught her about empathy, influence, and relevance (and sales!)—and why meandering may bring the best learning experiences.
SNP: You spent much of your career in-house, leading learning and development at tech companies. What sparked the shift to working independently?
Aideen: I had been thinking for a while—what would it be like to work with multiple organizations, not just one? I’d always been curious about work that could cross industries. So, I told one or two people that I was going to try my own thing. As soon as I said it out loud, I had to commit to it. And then, of course, I had to do it. It wasn’t perfectly planned.
Now, four years in, I see the real benefit: I understand what it’s like to be on the inside. The pace, the competing priorities, the tight turnarounds. That empathy shapes how I work with clients now. I know their time is stretched, so any training, coaching, or development work has to be directly relevant. It has to be worth the time they’re carving out.
SNP: You mentioned empathy. How does your past experience shape how you show up for clients today?
Aideen: Empathy is huge. I always keep in mind that what we’re delivering—whether it’s a workshop, coaching session, or training program—is just one of many things they’re juggling. That perspective makes me really intentional about making the experience practical and applicable. I want them to walk away with something they can use right away—not something they have to figure out how to apply after the fact.
When I was in-house, I didn’t always see that clearly. Some initiatives were exciting, but not always grounded in what people needed most in that moment. Now, having stepped out of that environment, I’m much more focused on immediate, practical impact.
SNP: You talked about going out on your own, knowing it was what you were meant to do, even without a detailed plan. There’s a founder mindset in that. Where do you think that came from?
Aideen: I didn’t see it as a founder mindset at the time—but looking back, I think it was there. I’d worked at startups, often joining in the early stages when there was risk and excitement. I was drawn to that uncertainty. When I was ready to make a change, I considered going to another startup, but I paused. This time, I wanted to try something entirely new. That desire to grow and learn new skills—that’s what really pushed me.
SNP: Speaking of new skills, what have you learned, now working independently?
Aideen: A lot! Running a business was completely new to me. I had to learn how to invoice, write proposals, network, and sell. I’d been close to sales teams for years, but now I was the one doing it. And I had to think differently about audiences. Most of my career was in tech. Now I’m working with clients in completely different industries. That requires more listening, more curiosity. When you’re inside, you know the culture, the pressures, the language. There is an inherent trust there. I can’t assume I know their challenges (I don’t know them!). I have to ask, understand, and tailor everything I do. From the outside, you have to earn that trust. But that distance gives you clarity, too. You may see things others might miss because they’re so close to it.
SNP: Earlier, you mentioned selling. What changed for you in how you approach it?
Aideen: It’s just influence. It’s about listening and helping someone solve a problem. I realized the best “selling” happened in conversations, where I was really hearing what someone needed and offering a solution that fit. That’s what I used to teach salespeople. Funny how you have to relearn your own advice when it’s about you.
SNP: Many new college graduates are entering the workforce this summer. In college, you studied German and Spanish translations, thinking you’d be sitting in a room, translating texts…what would you say to that recent college graduate now?
Aideen: Trust the process. Don’t stress about having a perfect path. I thought I’d be a translator, but ultimately that didn’t fit the outgoing part of my personality. So that didn’t happen—but the detours brought me here. I moved into customer service, then training, then learning and development. None of it was linear. But each step added to who I am today. It’s okay to meander, as long as you’re learning along the way.
Aideen’s story is a reminder that the value of experience isn’t just in what you’ve done—it’s in the perspective that that experience brings. Coaches who have been in the room and are now on the outside looking in can offer something rare: empathy with clarity. Relevance with distance. Insight rooted in experience—but not limited by it. And she reminds all of us to meander every now and again, knowing that experience will provide the necessary structure and foundation.
