March 3, 2025

From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Success with Karen Evers

From Corporate Burnout to Purpose-Driven Success with Karen Evers
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Season 7

Welcome to Business Growth Talks, the podcast that tackles the tough realities of growing a business. I'm Mark Hayward, and if you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next steps, you're in the right place. Every week, we bring you real strategies that successful entrepreneurs have used to overcome challenges, boost revenue, and build stronger, more profitable businesses.

In this episode, I sit down with Karen Evers, a seasoned HR leader with 25 years of experience in corporate America. In 2022, she founded Human Smarts, a fractional HR consultancy helping startups and small businesses navigate talent strategy, culture, compliance, and payroll. Karen specializes in financial services and partners with CPA firms, investment advisors, and insurance brokers to provide white-glove HR support. Her people-first approach ensures businesses can scale without the burden of managing HR alone.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: Karen shares insights on the importance of a business mindset and how it shapes success. She discusses her transition from corporate America to running her own business, highlighting the challenges small businesses face with HR and how to overcome them. She explores the power of aligning work with passion to avoid burnout and why difficult conversations are essential for business growth. Karen also explains how businesses can move from generalist roles to specialized teams, the benefits of white-glove HR support, and the role of referrals in business growth. Additionally, she provides valuable insights on scaling a business while maintaining high-quality service.

Key Takeaways:

  • Having a strong business mindset is essential for HR professionals.
  • Burnout isn’t about how much you work; it’s about whether you're aligned with your purpose.
  • Difficult conversations, especially around hiring and firing, are crucial for growth.
  • Small businesses often struggle with compliance, drama, and productivity – all of which HR can address effectively.
  • The right networking and referrals can be the best marketing strategy for a service-based business.
  • Scaling a business requires balancing revenue, profitability, and building the right team.

Resources & Mentions:

  • Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
  • Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
  • Start With Why by Simon Sinek
  • Grit by Angela Duckworth
  • Think Again by Adam Grant

Connect with Karen Evers:

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