Thinking about leaving your corporate job to start a business?

In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Ladder, Stephen Lee-Thomas sits down with entrepreneur and recruiting expert Darren Tompkins to discuss what it really takes to make the leap into entrepreneurship.

From setting an exit strategy to hiring your first employees, Darren shares practical lessons learned from building his own recruiting company after years in corporate America.

• When it's time to leave your W-2 job
• Why hiring too early can hurt your business
• How virtual assistants can create time freedom
• The biggest hiring mistakes founders make
• Why failure is part of every entrepreneur's journey

[00:00] Introduction

[01:12] Darren's background

[04:40] When businesses should hire

[09:10] Knowing when to scale

[12:30] Leaving your W-2 job

[16:05] Building a lifestyle-first business

[19:30] Using virtual assistants effectively

[22:10] Why entrepreneurs must embrace failure

[24:20] Final advice

If you're building a business or preparing to make the leap from corporate life, this episode offers actionable advice to help you grow intentionally.

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Artificial Intelligence is changing business faster than ever, but what does that really mean for leaders and HR professionals?

In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Ladder, Stephen Lee-Thomas sits down with Heather Mallette, Founder & CEO of The Decision Line, to discuss how AI is transforming Human Resources from a transactional department into a strategic business partner.

Heather shares why successful AI adoption isn't about replacing people, it's about empowering leaders, improving decision-making, and building organizations that are ready for the future.

From leadership development and organizational culture to trust, change management, and practical AI implementation, this conversation offers valuable insights for business owners, executives, HR professionals, and anyone leading teams through change.

• Why AI won't replace effective leadership
• How HR has evolved into a strategic business function
• The biggest mistakes organizations make when adopting AI
• How to introduce AI without creating resistance
• Why trust is the foundation of successful change
• How strong leaders prepare their teams for the future
• Why career growth comes from experience, not titles
• The importance of organizational culture in long-term success

[00:00] Introduction

[01:05] Meet Heather Mallette

[03:12] How HR Has Changed Over the Last 25 Years

[07:15] Why HR Deserves a Seat at the Leadership Table

[10:28] AI Will Redefine Leadership

[15:18] How Companies Should Adopt AI

[20:45] Organizational Readiness & Building Trust

[25:12] Career Growth Through Stretch Assignments

[29:42] The Future of AI, Leadership & Work

[32:15] Culture Is What Leaders Reward

[34:10] Where to Connect with Heather

Heather Mallette is the Founder & CEO of The Decision Line and a strategic HR leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations improve leadership, people operations, and business performance through thoughtful AI implementation.

LinkedIn: Heather Mallette Instagram: @heyitsheatherm Email: heathermallette@yahoo.com

Apply to be a guest: Click here!

What happens when entrepreneurship becomes a vehicle for healing, empathy, and purpose?

In this episode of Beyond the Corporate Ladder, Stephen Lee-Thomas sits down with Shabana Serang entrepreneur, nonprofit founder, podcast host, and creator of the Mercy Mindset movement.

Shabana shares her deeply personal journey growing up as the daughter of immigrants, watching her father work tirelessly to build a better life, and how those experiences inspired her mission to “spread mercy with every bite.”

The conversation explores:

• Purpose-driven entrepreneurship
• Mental health and vulnerability
• Building businesses rooted in compassion
• The power of self-awareness and self-compassion
• Balancing motherhood, mission, and personal healing
• Using food as a force for community impact

Shabana also opens up about her own struggles with mental health, entrepreneurship, and learning to navigate life through mercy and transparency.

• Why healing and entrepreneurship can coexist
• How empathy can shape business leadership
• The real meaning of “mercy mindset”
• How purpose-driven businesses can create social impact
• Why vulnerability matters in leadership

[00:00] Introduction [01:12] Shabana’s immigrant family story [03:18] Healing through food and Mercy Mediterranean [06:02] Creating Miracles for Mercy [08:11] Entrepreneurship, sacrifice, and balance [11:07] Mental health, self-awareness, and transparency [15:08] Current projects and future vision [16:42] What mercy really means [17:45] Final thoughts and where to connect

Website: https://miraclesformercy.com

You can be my next guest speaker! How to apply: https://beyondthecorporateladder.com/podcast-guest-booking#section-FkxnSoB5Fv