If the idea of “falling in love” with your business makes you roll your eyes a little…same. But hear us out:

In this episode, Kira talks through what that phrase actually means: building a business that feels worth showing up for, especially when life is doing the absolute most.

This episode is part pep talk, part leadership reality check, and part “hey girl, your mission statement can’t just live in a Canva deck.” We’re talking all about mission & vision, trust, leadership identity, and how to build a team culture that’s unified, bought-in, and honestly… a little cult-like (in the best, non-creepy way).

Key Takeaways:

• Your mission and vision aren’t “set it and forget it”. They need revisiting as you evolve.
• Trust on a team is more than just you trusting them, it’s you building systems that help them trust you.
• The strongest leadership doesn't involve copy/paste from LinkedIn or Shark Tank, but rather owning who you are and leading from that.
• A “cult-like” team culture comes from shared commitment to the mission (not surface-level perks and vibes).
• Your business will reflect back what you put into it, and alignment + authenticity are what make it

This one’s your reminder that you don’t need a new personality to lead well...you just need to lead on purpose!

Take a peek behind the curtain of the podcast’s brand-new direction that’s less “HR rulebook,” more “let’s talk about the wonderfully unpredictable humans running your business.” Kira shares the personal burnout story that cracked her leadership wide open, why mental health and real support systems aren’t optional, and what authentic leadership actually looks like when you stop white-knuckling through it.

Kira’s story sets the tone for this new era and is an open invitation for returning listeners and fresh arrivals to buckle up and align with the honest, human-first conversations that will guide every episode from here on out.

We're so glad you're along for this ride!

People On Purpose® Trailer

Sometimes the best move in business is pulling the plug on something that’s “working” (ugh lol)

This episode is more personal than usual because I’m opening up about sunsetting our Set to Scale® membership. It’s a decision that didn’t come lightly, but one that brought me more clarity (and relief) than I expected in the chaos of it all.

I’m sharing:

• Why a membership that looked profitable on paper wasn’t sustainable in real life
• The mix of trauma, vulnerability, and strategy that pushed me to finally make the call
• What this shift means for how Paradigm is serving clients moving forward
• How you can think about your own offers when it’s time to pivot or let go
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If you’ve ever had to retire an offer, or are staring down a decision you know you need to make, this one will definitely hit home.

Let's answer one of the most common (and complicated) leadership questions: Should I hire someone I’m friends with?

I'm sharing hard-won lessons from client stories and my own team, including what makes these hires work…or crash and burn. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at what being locked out of Instagram for a month taught me about boundaries, balance, and why your socials aren’t everything.

• Why hiring friends can work and when it absolutely doesn’t
• How to tell someone you care about they’re not the right fit
• The hiring rubric every founder needs to stay objective
• Why your leadership style is the real dealbreaker

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In this episode, I’m joined by copywriter Andrea Shah for a conversation about messaging that works and feels like you. We’re talking about what drives buyers to say “yes,” how to balance fear-based marketing with real connection, and why your website copy matters just as much (if not more!) than your brand design.

Andrea shares:

• How her career went from corporate translation gigs to website copy for creative business owners
• Why she chose the solo path instead of scaling a team and what she’s learned about leadership along the way
• How wedding pros (and any creative entrepreneur) can use buyer psychology to sell with empathy, not pressure
• Tips for setting realistic timelines, booking clients on a waitlist, and handling slow seasons without panic
• Her two quick wins to improve your website copy today (it’s easier than you think)

Andrea Shah is a conversion copywriter who helps wedding professionals and other creative business owners turn their websites into working sales tools. With a background in brand voice, website strategy, and buyer psychology, Andrea’s specialty is writing copy that feels personal, powerful, and clear. She’s a Diet Coke enthusiast, market research nerd, and firm believer that you don’t have to scale a team to build a successful business.

Find and follow Andrea at andreashah.com and on Instagram & Threads at @andreashahcopy.

Pay and wages are hands-down one of the most confusing parts of hiring for the leaders we talk to. You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself wondering, why you can’t just cut a $500 check to your assistant at the end of a big project,

This episode gets right to the point to clear the fog and give you a straight answer about the only two legal ways to pay an employee. This one’s short, sweet, and essential if you’re building a team.

You’ll hear:

💰 The only two legal ways to pay employees (and why “project pay” usually isn’t one of them)

⚖️ When a flat rate might actually work and when it’s a compliance disaster

📅 The payroll schedule I recommend to keep things simple, clean, and legal

🧾 How to budget labor costs without accidentally breaking wage laws

Contact Paradigm: https://the-paradigm.com/contact

After coming off an inspiring in-person team retreat, I’m sharing the real markers of success inside a small business. This episode explores the culture-defining power of clearly communicating expectations, especially around one of the most misunderstood (and overused) buzzwords in business: flexibility. If you've ever wondered why your team isn't "getting it" or how to lead with more clarity, tune in to this episode!

We cover:

• Why in-person connection still matters in remote teams (even in 2025)
• How “flexibility” can backfire when it’s not clearly defined
• The one question every leader should ask to check the pulse of their culture
• How to identify what success actually looks like in a healthy team based on your values

Listen now and grab your free HR Self-Assessment to make sure your culture is built on solid ground.

HR Self Assessment: https://the-paradigm.com/hr-self-assessment