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