The Impact Ripple - Hiring and Leadership for Visionary Female Business Owners

Do I really need core values as a small business owner?

The answer is YES. You absolutely do.

Especially if you’re planning on hiring employees.

Our core values set the stage for the way we do business. They define the culture of the companies we’re building and the teams we’re growing.

They impact everything from who we hire to how we communicate, the way we make decisions to how we allocate resources, and so much more.

They’re part of every single thing we do – or choose not to do – in business.

This is one of my favorite topics of conversation when it comes to building highly successful and impactful teams and I think you’re going to love it, too.

I share a short story about puzzles and some helpful insights on why values are the single most important part of your HR strategy in business.

We’ll have some laughs, learn some new ways of thinking about values, and you’ll even get a short exercise to help you craft your values if you don’t have any yet.

This episode is chock full and I can’t wait for you to dive in!


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What are core values + why they’re important
• How to give more than just lip service to your values
• A simple exercise to identify + define your values

Mentioned in This Episode: 

• Our SproutHR Values 
• Why You Should Start with Your Values When Hiring (blog post) 

Have you considered hiring an employee, but the thought alone makes your palms sweat and your heart race?

Have you felt overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start and how to make sure you don’t screw the whole thing up?

If so, you’re not alone! These are very common feelings we hear all the time from business owners who are hiring for the first time.

In this episode of The Impact Ripple podcast, I talk about the reality of what it feels like to hire for the first time, including some of my own experiences. (No, I’m not exempt from fear when it comes to hiring in my own business and I’ve been doing this for over 16 years!)

At the beginning of the conversation, I start off with a little heart-to-heart. Because hiring fear is real and I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve got you!

Then, we dive into the three most common concerns I hear on a daily basis when it comes to hiring for the first time, before I share three critical steps to help you get started and hire right.

Join me for an encouraging, hope-filled, and actionable conversation as we explore how to hire your dream team with more confidence, ease, and fun in this episode!


In this episode, you’ll learn:

• A heart-to-heart on the emotional experience of hiring
• 3 common concerns most business owners have when hiring 
• 3 simple steps to help you hire right, the first time, every time

Mentioned in This Episode: 

• SproutHR’s Give + Grow charitable giving program – www.sprouthr.co/about
• Hiring Roadmap – www.sprouthr.co/roadmap

Have you ever felt like you’re supposed to “have it all together” before hiring your first employee?

If so, you’re not alone.

Over the years, I’ve come across a lot of wild information on these mean internet streets and stories from clients who have felt shamed for not having things more together.

I’ve heard people shouting from their virtual rooftops to “get your systems in order” and “make sure you have detailed SOPs” in place before you dare hire anyone.

But I don’t buy into all of that. At least not when you’re thinking of hiring your first employee.

You are worthy of hiring help. Regardless of what the inside of your business looks like.

Join me in this episode for a peek behind the curtain into my own business and hiring experience. I promise you’ll walk away feeling seen and hopefully inspired!

In this episode, you’ll learn:  

• Why you don’t have to “have it all together” to hire help
• What you should really focus on when hiring
• 3 tips for developing greater self-worth

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Transform Your Stories – www.sprouthr.co/transform 
• Who should you hire first? Take our 2-minute quiz! – www.spouthr.co/quiz

Stepping into your first leadership role can be scary. You know you’re meant for more and you’re ready to give it your best, but where do you start and how do you know you’re on the right path?

In this episode of The Impact Ripple, we’re talking about the journey to leadership.

While some of us choose leadership as a career, others are chosen to step up and lead. Regardless of how you got here, there are some key phases all leaders must go through in order to create the kind of impact they truly wish to have in this world.

During this conversation, I share part of my own leadership journey (as well as the many personality assessments that told me I wasn’t cut out to be a leader!) and the way I experience being a leader in my own unique way.

You’ll also learn about a powerful tool I’ve created called The Leadership Impact Model, which will help you develop your leadership skills from the ground up, so you can reach your full potential and create massive impact.

If you’ve been looking for a roadmap for your leadership journey, be sure to check out this episode!

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Experiencing leadership in your own unique way
• The ONE skill that all leaders must have 
• A roadmap for your leadership journey

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Transform Your Stories (book) – www.sprouthr.co/transform 
• The Leadership Impact Model – see the show notes on our website

Have you ever thought, “Who am I to be a leader?” If so, today’s episode is for you!

I believe we are all leaders in one way or another…even if we don’t feel like a leader.

We’re kicking the first episode of The Impact Ripple podcast off with this important message, because too often, we are the ones holding ourselves back with toxic stories.

Toxic stories are what we tell ourselves about who we are not, what we can’t do, or how we should show up in the world, which can all limit our potential and our impact.

If you’re like many of our clients here at SproutHR, you have dreams of bringing something bigger than yourself to life in this world. You want to create a positive impact ripple.

The toxic stories we tell ourselves hold us back, keep us playing small, living in fear, and not showing up fully. Whether or not we’re cut out to be a leader is a toxic story many women business owners face.

There is more available to you and those you dream of helping. What if it took stepping into a leadership role in your business to bring it to life?

Tune in for this important conversation that may open your mind to a world of new possibilities you’ve never considered before!


In this episode, you’ll Learn:

• What toxic stories are and how they may be holding you back
• Examples of toxic stories, so you can identify them in your life
• 3 strategies to start overcoming toxic stories that you can implement today

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Transform Your Stories (book) – www.sprouthr.co/transform 
• Transform Your Stories Free Sample – www.sprouthr.co/transform

Welcome to The Impact Ripple with host Ashley Cox, Founder and CEO of SproutHR. We believe hiring and leading your team is the most rewarding part of your business – so kiss uncertainty and overwhelm goodbye and say hello to the tools and support you need to skyrocket your confidence!

On this podcast, Ashley will share simple, actionable hiring and leadership advice to grow a profitable, sustainable, impactful team with confidence, ease, and a whole lotta fun!

The Impact Ripple is launching soon, subscribe now so you don’t miss a thing!

You can also keep up with the podcast by visiting sprouthr.co/podcast.