Employee To Boss: Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, and Business Growth Tips from Experts

Employee To Boss: Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, and Business Growth Tips from Experts

Welcome to the Employee To Boss podcast! Employee To Boss is for everyone with an entrepreneurial spirit… For those wanting to start their business, for those wanting to go all-in on their side hustle, for those wanting to start a side hustle… and for those who are business curious! Join podcast producer Hayleigh Hayhurst as she guides you through all things business. She is joined by guests from all different industries, at all different points of business to share their experiences, tips, and advice. To have a successful business, you need to know a thing or two about different industries. The reason behind this? It is called info-sponging aka learning and absorbing new information about different industries. Starting a business can be very lonely, and confusing! Each episode will end with three actionable tips for you to follow to get started with your business today! Presented by Espresso Podcast Production, a full-service podcast production company specializing in editing, marketing, and strategy. Grab your coffee and join us!

Episodes

July 15, 2025 42 mins

This week on Employee to Boss, I’m joined by Brandilyn Hallcroft, a powerhouse creative with 25+ years of experience in marketing, branding, and design. She’s the founder of Metro DesignsMetro Events, the creator behind digital shops on Etsy and Zazzle, and the heart behind Journals to Healing—a CBT-based journal collection for personal growth.

In this episode, Brandilyn shares her journey from working in early internet billing te...

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What if you stopped waiting for the perfect time and just gave yourself permission to go for it—to pivot, to be seen, and to build a business that actually fits your life? In this episode, I chat with Kieryn Wang, founder of AlmostConsulting, about evolving in both business and life.

We talk about building a career in unconventional industries (cannabis, sex tech & alcohol)and learning to stop following the rules that no one act...

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You know those conversations where you're like, “Wait—why isn’t everyone talking about this?” That’s exactly how I felt talking to Mike Shu.Mike is the founder of a super successful SEO agency, a digital nomad, and someone who’s mastered the art of direct response marketing (aka what actually moves the needle in business). And get this—he doesn’t even think most businesses under $1M/year should be doing SEO.


In this episode,...

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What do you do when the corporate ladder leaves you feeling unfulfilled—but you’re still craving structure, stability, and impact? For Carol, that answer was stepping away from a high-level advertising career, starting a jewelry brand born out of personal grief, and ultimately buying a successful subscription box business that now fuels thousands of women every month.

In this episode, Carol shares her winding path to owning Sparkle ...

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What does it take to grow a fitness business that stands the test of time? In this episode we are joined by Laura Mak Quist — a veteran in the wellness and fitness industry with over 30 years of experience coaching women through strength training, yoga, nutrition, and life transitions.

From training athletes and TV personalities to launching a fitness clothing line and now running an online studio, Laura shares how she's continu...

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What does it take to turn a niche skill into a thriving local business? In this episode I sit down with Timothy Abadilla, founder of Masterpiece Chess Academy in Los Angeles, to talk about how he went from Uber driver and preschool assistant to running one of the most active chess programs in Southern California. And spoiler alert — it’s not just about loving chess.

Tim shares his full journey from employee to boss, the creative way...

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When Jessie Gabriel told me that less than 2% of venture capital funding goes to businesses founded by women, my jaw literally dropped. And that’s just the beginning of the equity gap we unpack in this episode.


Jessie—founder of the law firm All Places—is on a mission to change that. She works with founders and fund managers to make capital more accessible and equitable, and today she’s pulling back the curtain on how money real...

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What does it take to go from making lattes to managing a thriving multi-location coffee brand? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Smith, founder and owner of Armistice Coffee in Seattle, to talk about her inspiring journey from barista to business owner—and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, trust, and growth along the way.


We dive into the behind-the-scenes of owning multiple coffee shops, the importance of hirin...

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What do you get when you blend a successful corporate career, motherhood, and a deep desire to create something meaningful? You get Motette—a modern children's clothing brand that’s elevated, intentional, and built with purpose.


In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Gold, the founder of Motette, to talk about how she left her tech and fashion executive roles to launch a bamboo-based clothing line for kids. We dive into w...

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In today's crowded online space, your story is your most powerful marketing tool. But how do you craft a brand video that emotionally connects with your audience and helps you stand out?


In this episodeI sit down with Mariana Henninger, founder of Brandmagnetic, to explore the power of emotional marketing and storytelling in business. With a background in documentary filmmaking for major outlets like Time Magazine, The Wall ...

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In the hustle of entrepreneurship, it’s easy to let your health, mindset, and personal growth fall by the wayside. But what if prioritizing those things was actually the key to building a more successful business?


In this episode of Employee to Boss, I sit down with Dev Connell, founder of Apex, a transformative community that blends personal development, fitness, and business mentorship for high-achieving women. Dev shares her ...

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Have you ever felt like you’re meant for more, but you’re not sure what that “more” is? In this episode of Employee to Boss, I sit down with Sairan Aqrawi, an engineer, leadership expert, and business coach who helps professionals uncover their hidden gems—the talents and passions they may have buried over time.


Sairan shares her inspiring journey from a long career in engineering to coaching professionals on how to step into le...

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Ever feel like your emotions, stress, or self-doubt are holding you back in business? In this episode I sit down with Karina Baldwin, a mental performance coach with a master's degree in performance psychology, to discuss how business owners can train their minds for success.


Karina shares her journey from athlete to entrepreneur, revealing how mental performance strategies—typically used by elite athletes—can be applied to ...

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Brand Strategy is different that Brand Marketing, and it’s also different than Branding… so what is it? In this episode, Amanda Grover tells us! 


Amanda helps entrepreneurs connect with their authentic selves to build brands that are sustainable and aligned with their core values. 


Amanda Grover, Founder of Storytellers Grove, is a yoga teacher and brand strategist who helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs and creatives clar...

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Blogging can be overwhelming—what to write, when to write, and how to make it work for your business. But it doesn’t have to be.

In this episode I chat with Eden, founder of Maven Made Copy, who’s on a mission to simplify blogging while maximizing results. Eden specializes in SEO-driven blog strategies that help creative entrepreneurs boost their visibility and attract their dream clients.

Whether you're just starting out or wa...

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Thinking about stepping into the world of real estate but not sure where to start? In this episode, Garrett shares his inspiring journey from rookie agent to seasoned expert, building a career that blends entrepreneurship, strategy, and relationship-building. 


Whether you're considering real estate as a full-time gig, a side hustle, or an investment path, Garrett’s actionable tips and real-world insights will help you navi...

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What if cleaning wasn’t just a chore but a path to empowerment, financial independence, and personal growth? In this episode, Holly Oldham shares how she turned life’s moments into a thriving business and a platform to inspire others. Get ready for a conversation about boundaries, resilience, and creating a life that’s unapologetically yours. 


Holly Oldham is a two-time published book author, poetic comedian, and solopreneur behin...

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As a podcast manager and entrepreneur, I’m always looking for ways to grow my business and help my clients scale theirs. That’s why I attended Alex and Leila Hormozi’s Scaling Workshop in Las Vegas, and wow—this event did not disappoint!

In this episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from the workshop and how they relate to podcasting, business growth, and creating a scalable strategy. 


In this episode:

  • Why being in the r...
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In this special bonus episode of the Employee to Boss podcast, I’m thrilled to share some exciting news—I've launched a brand new podcast called The Podcast Café! 🎧☕

While Employee to Boss will continue with four episodes a month, The Podcast Café is an additional space where I’ll share podcasting tips, strategies, and conversations with inspiring podcasters about their journeys.

The Podcast Café is already in the top 10% of podca...

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Authenticity is everything for business owners, and one way to show people who you are is through your photos. 


In this episode, I chat with Kristina, a personal branding photographer that specializing in helping business owners show up with authentic confidence on their website, social media and anywhere photos are needed to create connections and build the know, like and trust factors. 


Kristina shares her journey from massage ...

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