The People of Work

The People of Work
Podcast Description
Welcome to The People of Work, the podcast where we explore the unique journeys that bring people to their careers. Every episode is a deep dive into the twists, turns, and surprises that shape how individuals find their career paths—whether they’re engineers, artists, baristas, CEOs, or anything and everything in between.
It’s not about the destination; it’s about the story. Through honest conversations, we’ll uncover the moments that define careers, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. These are real stories from real people, celebrating the diversity of work and the individuality of the people behind it.
Join us as we break down stereotypes, embrace the unexpected, and shine a light on the human side of work.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the diverse aspects of career journeys, emphasizing personal growth, reinvention, and the human side of work. Episodes cover a wide range of topics including the transition from law to corporate leadership, community engagement, and overcoming challenges like imposter syndrome, with specific examples highlighting stories from various professionals, such as nurses, entrepreneurs, and CEOs.

Welcome to The People of Work, the podcast where we explore the unique journeys that bring people to their careers. Every episode is a deep dive into the twists, turns, and surprises that shape how individuals find their career paths—whether they’re engineers, artists, baristas, CEOs, or anything and everything in between.
It’s not about the destination; it’s about the story. Through honest conversations, we’ll uncover the moments that define careers, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. These are real stories from real people, celebrating the diversity of work and the individuality of the people behind it.
Join us as we break down stereotypes, embrace the unexpected, and shine a light on the human side of work.
“You need to start a business so you can leave your job.”
In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Adeniyi, founder of AAA Solutions, and author of The Circle of Leadership, to explore his journey from growing up in an entrepreneurial home to building a consulting business focused on leadership, culture, and belonging. We talk about the impact of early internships, the lessons he carried from retail leadership at Aldi and Starbucks, and how a life-changing moment gave him the clarity to take the leap into full-time entrepreneurship.
Andrew also shares what it’s like to co-author a book with his 7-year-old son, how he’s using theater to spark courageous workplace conversations, and the not-so-sexy side of running your own business. This conversation is full of real talk about purpose, peace, and building a life that reflects who you are.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:58) Early work experience
(03:46) College and internships
(09:41) First corporate job at Aldi
(14:06) Kroger and Starbucks
(21:30) Writing “The Circle of Leadership”
(22:01) Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship
(25:02) Launching AAA Solutions and balancing DEI and workplace culture
(27:52) Mentors and guidance in professional life
(29:11) New book and new ventures
(33:36) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs
(36:01) Defining freedom and self-care
Connect with my guest:
Andrew Adeniyi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewadeniyi/
Explore AAA Solutions: https://www.aaasolutions.us/
Check out The Circle of Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Circle-Leadership-Framework-Creating-Leveraging/dp/1641379081
Connect with me:
Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/
Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/

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