Around the Ladder
Around the Ladder
Podcast Description
Welcome to Around the Ladder – the podcast where we explore the twists, turns, and unexpected detours of career journeys. Many of us are familiar with the phrase ”climbing the corporate ladder,” but what happens when your path doesn’t follow a straight line?
I became fascinated by the idea of going around the ladder – carving out a different kind of career path. My own journey took this route. After 25 years as an employee, I stepped away for a year and emerged as a consultant and business owner. And along the way, I realized I’m not alone. There are so many people out there whose careers have taken unconventional, surprising, and inspiring directions.
In this podcast, you’ll hear conversations with people who have traveled paths of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you backtrack or move sideways; other times, you need someone to lift you up or simply sit with you right where you are.
No matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone.
So, whether you’re rethinking your next step or just curious about the many ways a career can unfold, you’re in the right place.
This is Around the Ladder – let’s explore the journey together.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast covers themes of career development, personal growth, and entrepreneurship, with episodes discussing topics such as career pivots illustrated by Anne Ryan's transition from tech to coaching, the importance of reframing resumes, and creating supportive environments for personal development.
Welcome to Around the Ladder – the podcast where we explore the twists, turns, and unexpected detours of career journeys. Many of us are familiar with the phrase ”climbing the corporate ladder,” but what happens when your path doesn’t follow a straight line?
I became fascinated by the idea of going around the ladder – carving out a different kind of career path. My own journey took this route. After 25 years as an employee, I stepped away for a year and emerged as a consultant and business owner. And along the way, I realized I’m not alone. There are so many people out there whose careers have taken unconventional, surprising, and inspiring directions.
In this podcast, you’ll hear conversations with people who have traveled paths of all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you backtrack or move sideways; other times, you need someone to lift you up or simply sit with you right where you are.
No matter where you are on your journey, you’re not alone.
So, whether you’re rethinking your next step or just curious about the many ways a career can unfold, you’re in the right place.
This is Around the Ladder – let’s explore the journey together.
When small business attorney Elissa Hecker had her first child, she expected to go back to her in‑house role, hire a nanny, and keep climbing. Instead, a miserable work environment and a powerful “this can’t be it” moment pushed her to bet on herself and build a remote law practice—back in 2004, long before it was cool.
In this episode, Elissa joins Erika to talk about the very human side of starting a business: the fear, the relief, the identity shifts, and why your personal story is never as separate from your business as we like to think. Along the way, she shares the practical legal building blocks every founder should consider, what really happens when “business partners” need a “business divorce,” and why she tells clients to “blame the lawyer” to protect important relationships.
If you’re sitting in a role that feels safe but miserable, or you’re thinking about starting something of your own and keep finding reasons to wait, this one’s for you.
In this episode, we talk about:
How becoming a mother—and being unhappy at work—pushed Elissa to open her own practice instead of going back in‑house
What it was like to run a fully remote law firm in 2004, and how people reacted when she said she worked from home
The difference between being great at your craft and actually knowing how to run a business around it
Why your personal growth and your business growth are almost impossible to untangle
The “lawyer/therapist” role and how Elissa holds space for the emotional side of entrepreneurship
Why she tells clients to “blame the lawyer” to preserve friendships and family relationships in tough negotiations
Connect with Elissa
LinkedIn: Elissa D. Hecker
Website: The Law Office Of Elissa D. Hecker
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