Hailey Dawood is the Owner & CEO at The Idea Hunter, where she helps corporate clients bring creativity and impact to their events to deliver memorable, high-value experiences that transform their brand presence. During Covid, Hailey was forced to completely pivot her business and that period of uncertainty laid the foundation for the 7-figure business she leads today.

Her biggest turning point? Taking a leap of faith and leaving her stable, corporate job in marketing to work for her Mom’s events company.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ The power of following your intuition during career pivots and transitions

→ How to turn career setbacks like layoffs, into major opportunities

→ Practical strategies for taking bold steps as an entrepreneur, including breaking big goals into actionable moves

📝 Free Masterclass – The Power Story Playbook: Learn how to confidently share your story, stand out at work, and unlock 6-figure opportunities → https://priyasam.com/

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CONNECT WITH HAILEY DAWOOD
🌐 Website: https://www.theideahunter.co/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailey__dawood/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hailey-dawood/

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CONNECT WITH PRIYA
🌐 Website: https://priyasam.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PriyaSam
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyasam/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyasam
👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/priyassam/

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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introducing Hailey Dawood: Entrepreneur, Content Creator & Event Industry Leader
01:11 – Hailey’s Early Career: From Accounting Internships to Marketing at Pepsi and General Mills
04:35 – Growing Up with Entrepreneurs: Lessons Learned from Family Businesses
06:51 – Pivotal Moment: Getting Laid Off and Embracing New Opportunities
10:43 – Joining the Family Business: Hailey’s First Steps in Events
13:03 – Trusting Intuition: How Hailey Discovered Her Passion for Events
16:04 – Finding the Right Fit: Turning Skills into High Performance
18:18 – Overcoming Industry Stereotypes and Recognizing Hidden Talents
20:11 – The Path to Ownership: Buying the Business in a Pandemic
24:04 – Navigating Uncertainty: Betting on Herself and the Idea Hunter Legacy
25:22 – Pivoting During COVID: Creative Solutions for Virtual Events
28:36 – Embracing Failure and Growth: The Power of a Beginner’s Mindset
31:38 – Maximizing Your Grace Period: Strategies for Skill-Building in New Roles
32:11 – Building a Personal Brand: Sharing the CEO Journey on Social Media
35:54 – Consistency and Authenticity: Keys to Social Media Growth
38:02 – Earning Support: Building Credibility in the Online World
40:25 – The Value of Coaching: Accelerating Growth through Community and Learning
41:08 – Goal Setting Masterclass: Achieving Big Dreams through Small Steps
46:27 – Real-World Examples: Turning Micro Goals into Everyday Wins
50:04 – Reflecting on the Journey: Resilience, Confidence, and Intuitive Decisions
53:06 – How to Connect with Hailey Dawood and Final Takeaways from the Episode

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What if one story could change the trajectory of your entire career?

In this solo episode, I’m sharing how I went from an $80K salary as a national news anchor to a $160K role in tech in under two years and without changing my resume or adding new certifications.

The key?
A Power Story that clearly and confidently communicated my value, even in an industry I had no prior experience in.

If you’re navigating a career pivot, preparing for job interviews, or just tired of feeling overlooked despite your results, this episode is for you. I’ll walk you through the mindset shift, the storytelling strategy, and the exact questions I asked myself to build a personal brand that opened doors I never thought possible.

🎉 Want help building your own Power Story?
Sign up for my FREE live Masterclass, The Power Story Playbook happening July 16th at 1pm EST on Zoom:
👉 https://priya-sam.mykajabi.com/july-the-power-story-playbook

In this deeply personal episode of Unleash Your Voice, I’m sharing the story I’ve never told in full: How my so-called “dream job” as a TV anchor nearly broke me. From the outside, I had it all: a high-profile role, a steady voice on morning shows, and a path I’d worked toward since childhood. But behind the scenes? It was costing me my mental health.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a role you once wanted more than anything, only to feel drained, diminished, or disconnected—you are not alone. I walk you through my journey: from delivering newspapers as a kid to anchoring the news, enduring microaggressions and toxic leadership, and finally making the bold leap into a new chapter that aligned with my worth, values, and mental health.

This episode is for anyone questioning whether they’re meant for more and needing permission to choose themselves.

✨ What you'll hear:

• The behind-the-scenes truth of my newsroom career (and what finally pushed me to leave)
• How therapy, storytelling, and community helped me reclaim my power
• Why building a Power Story isn’t just about getting the next job, it’s about remembering who you are
• Why leaving a toxic job is not failure, it can be the start of your next chapter

This one’s for anyone who feels stuck in a job that’s draining their spirit. You’re not imagining it. You’re not alone. And you deserve better.

🔗 Plus, I’m sharing my free on-demand Power Story Masterclass here to help you start crafting a story that reflects your full power, potential, and voice.

Because no job is worth your peace. And your story? It’s the key to unlocking the future you deserve.