The $9M Deal That Pushed Megan Maloney to Build Her Own Empire

After years of leading high-stakes tech transformations, Kathleen Megan Maloney took a leap from corporate constraints to entrepreneurial freedom. A pivotal betrayal on a major project lit the spark, but it was her first independent pitch that sealed her identity as a business owner. Now, through her quality consulting services, Kathleen helps medium to large organizations implement “right the first time” systems that deliver real results. As part of our Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight series, Kathleen’s journey is a testament to trusting your instincts, embracing the “no’s,” and rewriting the rules with conviction and clarity.

Hi, Kathleen Megan Maloney! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?

I service medium to large organizations helping them build a Quality program that delivers right the first time!

Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.

My first presentation to a potential customer.  It was such a high - the entire process from booking the appointment doing the presentation, negotiations are still underway.  Doing this for myself and my business is the best feeling in the world.  Even the NO's are a blessing, because it means I am working the process!

Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.

I left an amazing organization for an opportunity that sounded incredible.  Starting a large scale transformation for a large state project.  I was told I would be given the reigns to run the project.  That was not the case, I could run the project however I wanted, as long as they ran it.  After negotiating the 9$ million dollar renewal, I decided I would rather really do it for myself.  One week later I quit to start my own business.  I should thank that company, but it's too early - I hate to be lied to.

Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?

I started using Tosca in 2013, this is an automation tool that requires no programming, it incorporated AI in the testing process.  I was able to take an organization from 300 defects in production a day, to less than 10 a month.  It changed the way we did regression!  Quickly!  It is still the best product, however, like HP they are pricing themselves out of the market.  

We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.

I learned a very hard lesson in 2020.  The company I was working for was doing an upgrade - it was not going well at all. It was red, every status report was more fictional than a Disney story.  I spoke the truth loudly.  People were not happy, I was given control over the project and got it back on track.  The CIO left and a new one came in.  He was a tyrant, he made me have a panic attack - which rarely happens.  In the middle of him yelling at me I told him I had to go, he did not appreciate me taking a moment to regroup.  I should have quit at that moment, instead I finished the project, got a small bonus then got fired after we went live.  

It taught me, go with your gut.  Had I quit, they would have paid me to stay through the end - 2 months.  NEVER again.

I stayed for my team, for the project, to see something through, but I was ignoring my self preservation.

What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?

I hire for attitude not skill.  Everything can be taught, except attitude!

What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?

Don't wait.  I put this off for all the wrong reasons.  If you don't take the leap, you will never win!

Want to dive deeper into (guest name) work? Check out the links below!

• Visit Maloney and Associates, LLC's website: maloneyassociates.net
• Connect with Kathleen Megan Maloney on LinkedIn: Kathleen Megan Maloney
• Grab a time to chat with Megan