Around the Ladder

Around the Ladder with Candice Miller

In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg welcomes Candice Miller, a dynamic professional whose career has spanned banking, strategy, and the legal industry. Candice shares her journey from a traditional corporate path to entrepreneurship, highlighting the twists, risks, and lessons that shaped her along the way. Listeners will gain insight into how unexpected opportunities and setbacks can redefine a career, and how resilience, adaptability, and self-compassion are key to thriving in any field.
Key Topics & Highlights:
Redefining Career Paths:Erica and Candice discuss the concept of “going around the ladder” and forging a non-linear career. Candice shares how, after 25 years as an employee, she discovered her entrepreneurial spirit and founded her own consulting firm.
Early Career Risks:Candice describes being tasked with building an audit program for law firms at a major bank early in her career-a role she accepted despite limited experience. She reflects on the value of taking risks and how this “sink or swim” moment became a defining point, putting her on the executive radar and opening doors for further growth.
Learning from the Legal Industry:Candice explains how working with law firms revealed the complexities of running a business as a lawyer and the importance of separating the practice of law from the business of law. She shares stories and lessons from her time auditing law firms, emphasizing the value of viewing problems from multiple angles.
Transitioning to Entrepreneurship:The conversation explores Candice’s move from a corporate environment to consulting, the challenges of adapting to new roles, and the importance of learning from clients as much as teaching them.
Resilience and Work-Life Integration:Candice opens up about balancing a growing business, young children (including twins and a third baby soon after), and community leadership. She offers practical tips on time-blocking, prioritizing, and embracing “work-life integration” over the elusive idea of balance.
Turning Setbacks into Opportunities:Candice recounts losing a major client shortly after becoming a mother of twins, only to find that this setback allowed her to deepen relationships with other clients and ultimately led to better opportunities.
Advice to Her Younger Self:Candice reflects on the importance of self-compassion and giving oneself grace during tough times. She encourages listeners not to stress over every setback, as each experience contributes to growth and future success.
Memorable Quotes:
“When you get that opportunity to sink or swim, if you really have the guts to do it, it could change the course of your career.”
“I hate the term work-life balance… it’s about work-life integration and figuring out what’s truly important to you.”
“If you don’t ever look back on a conversation or decision and cringe, then you’re either not reflecting and growing, or you’re a narcissist.”
About the Guest:
Candice Miller is the founder of Miller Strategic Advisory Group, specializing in fractional COO, CSO, and business development coaching for professional service firms. With over 15 years’ experience across banking, accounting, tax, finance, and law, Candice is also a dedicated mentor and board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara, and the Southern Tier, earning “Big of the Year” in 2024.
Connect with Us:
Connect with Candice on LinkedIn
Miller Strategic Advisory Group
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Thank you for listening to Around the Ladder-where we celebrate the winding paths to success!

Around the Ladder with Morgan Katz

In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Morgan Katz, founder and CEO of Ticketnology, to explore her unconventional career path from live event management to tech entrepreneurship. Morgan shares insights on identifying as an entrepreneur later in life, building a tech platform from scratch, and her passion project-Gunny’s House, a charity for senior rescue dogs. The conversation covers the challenges and rewards of pivoting careers, lessons learned from leading a tech company, and the importance of clarity, adaptability, and compassion in both business and life.
Key Topics Covered
Introduction to Morgan Katz
Founder & CEO of Ticketnology, a platform transforming how businesses manage live event tickets
Background in live events with sports teams, venues, and corporate hospitality
Frequent speaker on client experience, event strategy, and business growth
Gunny’s House: A Mission of Compassion
Morgan’s charity for senior and medically challenged rescue dogs
Focus on providing a loving, quality life for dogs who are often overlooked in shelters
The inspiration behind the charity and the impact it’s making
Morgan’s Career Journey
Early career in live events, always “with a walkie talkie”
Transition from employee to entrepreneur after a major shift in company leadership
Realization of her entrepreneurial spirit and how it shaped her approach to business
Building Ticketnology
Started as a consulting and ticket brokerage in 2019
Pivoted to a tech platform during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to industry shifts
Launched the software in April 2021, focusing on client experience and data-driven solutions
Lessons in Entrepreneurship
Embracing the “big picture” mindset and learning to communicate vision clearly
Navigating the challenges of not being a technical founder
The importance of a strong development team and customer-first product design
Personal Growth & Reflections
Discovering new strengths through entrepreneurship, such as strategic planning and self-regulation
The ongoing journey of balancing doubt, adaptability, and purpose
The value of combining diverse skills, big-picture thinking and attention to detail-in building successful ventures
Memorable Quotes
“I’ve always been kind of that out-of-the-box thinker, but I never just titled it as an entrepreneur… Once that happened and it was time to figure out my next move, that’s when I really started to understand and invest in my side of being an entrepreneur.”
“Gunny’s House mission is to extend the life for a dog… taking those dogs that have medical issues that are not adoptable and letting them enjoy the rest of their quality of life at a nice place.”
“Being clear is being kind. If I haven’t fully explained the mission or the vision or what we’re trying to do, we’re not going to get anywhere.”
Connect with Morgan
Ticketnology: Learn more about Morgan’s platform for live event ticket management.
LinkedIn
Thank you for listening to Around the Ladder, where we celebrate the unexpected and inspiring career journeys that don’t always go straight up. Subscribe for more stories of reinvention, resilience, and purpose!
 
 

Around the Ladder with Dr. Erika Powell

In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Dr. Erika Powell, a coach, facilitator, and consultant celebrated for her unique blend of connection, creativity, and authenticity in leadership development. Dr. Powell shares her journey from a diverse academic background in anthropology, linguistics, education, and art, to a career dedicated to helping leaders and teams thrive through transformative, people-centered approaches.
Key Topics Discussed
Nonlinear Career Paths:Dr. Powell discusses her unconventional journey, combining elements of anthropology, linguistics, and education, and how her natural affinity for art became central to her work.
Blending Art and Leadership:She explains why traditional leadership models often fall short in today’s complex, rapidly changing work environments, and how integrating creativity and art unlocks deeper, more authentic engagement.
The Power of Authenticity:The conversation explores the cost of compartmentalizing one’s professional and personal selves, and the importance of leading from a place of authenticity and emotional awareness.
Facilitating Transformative Workshops:Dr. Powell shares a detailed story of a workshop with an executive team, where art-based exercises (like sculpting with clay) helped surface unspoken tensions and foster genuine breakthroughs in team dynamics.
Navigating Layers and False Positives:The discussion highlights the layered nature of emotional work in organizations, the risk of “false positives” in group settings, and why ongoing, iterative conversations are necessary for real change.
Designing for Emotional Safety:Dr. Powell describes how she intentionally designs workshops to accommodate participants who may be reluctant to engage emotionally, using activities that gently open up space for genuine connection.
Notable Quotes
“Work and what we're seeing today in the world is really inviting us to marry the intuitive and the practical. It can't just be, ‘I thought my way through this.’ There’s a big feelings piece that's still very much there.”
“Our best solutions for ourselves and for our teams are found when we go into that heart space with each other.”
Takeaways
Creativity and art can be powerful tools for surfacing truths, resolving tension, and fostering authentic connection in teams.
Real transformation in organizations is a layered process that requires ongoing dialogue and willingness to explore beneath the surface.
Emotional intelligence and authenticity are as crucial as technical skills in effective leadership today.
Next Steps
Subscribe to Around the Ladder for more conversations about unconventional career journeys and the power of authenticity at work. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network!
Connect with Dr. Erika Powell on LinkedIn

Around the Ladder with Anne Ryan

In this episode of Around the Ladder, host Erika Steinberg sits down with Anne Ryan, a resume and LinkedIn coach who has helped thousands—from students to executives—unlock their unique strengths and land meaningful roles. Anne shares her unconventional journey from two decades in tech to entrepreneurship, her passion for helping others find purpose, and the superpowers she’s discovered along the way.
Key Topics Discussed
Anne’s Career Pivot:Anne recounts her transition from a 20-year career in software and tech to resume coaching. As a hiring manager, she noticed how many qualified candidates were overlooked due to poorly crafted resumes, inspiring her to start offering workshops and eventually launch her own business1.
From Rejection to Success:Anne shares a powerful client story: someone who sent out 300+ job applications with no luck. After working with Anne to reframe his resume for the tech industry, he quickly landed interviews and a job offer. Anne emphasizes the importance of marketing your skills in the right language1.
Entrepreneurial Fears & Lessons:Both Erica and Anne discuss the fears and hesitations that come with starting a business. Anne introduces her concept of “FOMAM” (Fear of Making a Mistake) and recounts the advice that helped her move forward: “You’re going to launch wrong, but do it anyway.” She highlights the support she received from entrepreneurial friends and the transformative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on her career path1.
Superpowers & Coaching Philosophy:Anne credits her yoga teacher training for teaching her the importance of “holding space” for clients—creating a supportive, encouraging environment. She aims to make professional development fun and approachable, and values the feedback that she inspires and energizes her clients1.
Favorite Audiences & Workshops:Anne has a special place in her heart for working with students and young professionals. She shares stories from her workshops, including a creative session at the Society of Women Engineers conference where she presented a resume workshop themed around Ken from the Barbie movie—complete with costume1.
Defining Moments:Anne reflects on the pivotal moments that pushed her to entrepreneurship, including encouragement from mentors and the ease of officially starting her business. She describes entrepreneurship as “the most fun I’ve ever had, and the hardest I’ve ever worked”1.
Memorable Quotes
“You’re going to launch wrong, but do it anyway.”— Advice that helped Anne overcome her fear of making mistakes and start her business1.
“I want to make resumes and LinkedIn profiles fun. If you have to do it, you might as well have a good time.”— Anne Ryan on her coaching philosophy1.
“It’s the most fun I’ve ever had, and it’s the hardest I’ve ever worked.”— Anne on being an entrepreneur1.
Connect with Anne on LinkedIn

Around the Ladder with Shaari Gross Cohen

In this inaugural episode of Around the Ladder, Erika Steinberg welcomes Shaari Gross Cohen.
In this episode we talk about: 
Knowing Your Worth – But not overselling yourself
Creating Non-Negotiables in life– What are you not willing to let your career take the place of
There are no Do-Overs with Family – Take the time you need to in order to be with them. Everything else will still get done. 
Walk through all open doors – Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and try out new things as much as you can. 
Be Relatable – The way to grow your business and build relationships is to take the time to get to know your clients and relate to them. 
Adapting to Change – Staying relevant in evolving industries through li
This episode is packed with practical advice and insights to help entrepreneurs at all stages navigate their careers with confidence. 
Connect with Sharri on LinkedIn