#30: My Story & the Origin of Second First

The personal journey behind Second First’s origin and how COO support systems changed everything.

At Second First, we know that being a second-in-command in a founder-led business can feel both rewarding and isolating. Our CEO, Megan Long, knows firsthand the weight of responsibility that comes with such a role, and in our latest episode of The Right-Hand Roadmap, she opens up about her personal journey to building Second First as a haven for others in her shoes.

Megan’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to helping COOs, Directors of Operations, and Seconds-In-Command feel less alone. In 2020, facing everything from natural disasters to a pandemic, she realized how crucial it was to have a peer network that truly understood her role’s pressures. It was this experience—navigating uncharted waters with no place to turn—that sparked the creation of Second First. We wanted to build something more than a coaching framework; we wanted a community that lifts up each other through the toughest challenges.

If you've ever felt like no one understands the demands of being the "number two," tune in to hear the personal story that launched Second First and why we’re dedicated to building a strong, supportive community for second-in-command leaders.

You'll hear all about:

• 00:36 - Megan shares why she hesitated to tell her full story and discusses her gratitude for past mentors.

• 01:16 - Reflecting on the career experiences that shaped her perspective as a young entrepreneur and woman in leadership.

• 02:02 - Introduction to Megan Long and the founding of Second First.

• 02:46 - Background as a CPA and rise to COO in a founder-led company.

• 03:06 - Realizing the gap in professional development and peer support for seconds-in-command.

• 03:18 - Building a coaching framework for the second-in-command role.

• 05:15 - 2020 brings unexpected challenges: tornado, pandemic, and more.
• 06:13 - Leading the company through crisis: disaster response and financial adaptations.
• 07:28 - The pressure and personal isolation of crisis leadership.
• 08:18 - Facing depression and how it spurred her to seek support and start Second First.
• 10:10 - Founding Second First to prevent other seconds-in-command from feeling isolated.
• 11:32 - The importance of peer support for seconds-in-command and Second First’s mission.
• 13:28 - Highlighting member feedback on the Second First community.
• 13:51 - Upcoming opportunity to join the Second First membership

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Links mentioned in the episode:

• Second First Membership
• Second First on Instagram
• Second First on LinkedIn
• Megan Long on LinkedIn