Mike Kim is a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author and Consultant. In this episode, Mike shares his journey from Chief Marketing Officer to full-time entrepreneur, and how he built a thriving business rooted in personal branding, content creation, and strategic clarity. Mike unpacks the power of mastering one skill at a time, how to avoid shiny object syndrome, and why he favors simplicity over complexity in business design. He also offers a practical model for balancing experimentation with sustainable growth—and previews his latest book, Own Your Brand, Own Your Career.

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekimtv/

Website: mikekim.com

Ciela Hartanov is an Organizational Consultant and Coach at humcollective. In this episode, Ciela shares her journey from leading future of work initiatives at Google to launching her own consulting and coaching practice focused on transformation and foresight. She reflects on the challenges of redefining identity after leaving a corporate role, the slow pace of business development, and building offerings that blend organizational strategy with deep personal growth—especially for women navigating complexity and change. Ciela also introduces her “Sensitivity Paradigm,” a powerful framework designed to help individuals and organizations adapt in an AI-driven world.

Links

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cielahartanov/

Darren McKee is the Founder of Darren McKee Co., where he helps entrepreneurs and sales teams master the art of selling through LinkedIn. In this episode, Darren shares his journey from delivering mail to managing sales at top coaching companies like BetterUp and Skye, to building a successful solo business that blends personal branding, social selling, and cohort-based learning. He discusses the turning points that led him to launch his business, lessons learned from pricing and scaling, and why building trust is the foundation of modern sales. Darren also offers tactical advice for service-based founders looking to grow without relying on cold calls.

Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenmckeesales/
• Website: https://darrenmckee.co/

Jess Almlie is a Learning and Performance Strategist and Founder of Almlie Consulting. In this episode, Jess shares her journey from VP of Learning and Development to independent consultant and how strategic reflection and networking helped her make the leap. During this conversation, Jess unpacks the evolution of her business, including the creation of her “coach-sulting” model and upcoming book on transforming L&D teams into strategic partners.

Jess also reflects on what she learned from a failed first attempt at entrepreneurship and how she now defines success beyond just business outcomes.

Links

• Website: https://www.jessalmlie.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessalmlie/

• Podcast, “L&D Must Change”: https://www.jessalmlie.com/podcast

• Blog, “L&D Must Change”: https://www.jessalmlie.com/blog

• Subscribe to Jess’s Newsletter, “L&D Must Change”: https://almlie-consulting.kit.com/87e0251322

Morgan Williams is an advisor and consultant to People Leaders as well as the the Founder and CEO of PeakHR, a HR consulting and training company. In this episode of Business Breakdown, Morgan shares how her unconventional path, from studying theater to becoming a Chief People Officer, informs her approach to leadership, talent, and organizational design. She dives into the importance of founder alignment, why HR is more than just compliance, and how early-stage companies can set the right foundations for culture and growth.

Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganbwilliams/
• Website: https://www.mwhrconsulting.com/

Jennifer McClure is the Founder and CEO of Unbridled Talent, LLC. In this episode, she shares her journey from corporate HR to building a thriving speaking business and the key lessons she’s learned along the way. Jennifer dives into how she discovered her passion for professional speaking, the importance of personal branding, and the critical role that relationships with peers and industry colleagues have played in her success. She also reflects on navigating major challenges, including COVID-19, and how moments of self-reflection have helped her stay aligned with her purpose.

Links

Website: https://jennifermcclure.net/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure/

Sara Canaday is a Leadership Strategist, Speaker, and Founder of Sara Canaday & Associates. In this episode, she shares her journey from insurance executive to successful entrepreneur, diving into how personal reflection, burnout, and the desire for fulfillment led her to create a leadership development training business that aligns with her values.

During the conversation, Sara discusses the importance of investing in yourself, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging AI to empower leaders. She also unpacks how she’s scaling her impact through digital learning platforms and B2C leadership development.

Links

Website: https://saracanaday.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saracanaday/

In this episode of The Business Breakdown, we sit down with Sarah Ohanesian—keynote speaker and productivity expert—who shares her journey from Chief Marketing Officer to successful entrepreneur. Sarah reveals what inspired her to launch a productivity-focused business, how she transitioned from coaching to speaking, and the key lessons she’s learned along the way. We dive into the challenges of time management, the importance of focusing on high-impact work, and strategies for entrepreneurs to scale without burnout. Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a growing team, this episode is packed with insights on working smarter, not harder.

Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahohanesian/

Website: https://www.so-productive.com/