Episode Summary:
In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage welcome Shannon Carriere—an “HR without the fluff” expert who brings a global perspective and a pragmatic approach to solving complex people problems. With experience spanning manufacturing, healthcare, finance, construction, and beyond, Shannon specializes in guiding leaders through sticky, urgent, and high-stakes HR challenges with clarity, common sense, and calm.
Shannon shares her journey from corporate HR to running her own HR hotline for small businesses, helping organizations navigate laws, compliance, and team dynamics without the overwhelm. From building HR functions from scratch to untangling growth pains across the US, EMEA, South America, and APAC, she’s seen it all—and knows how to cut through the noise.
You’ll learn:
Why even seasoned leaders skip the most obvious first step in resolving employee issues
Shannon’s proven method for conquering “where do I even start?” overwhelm
Why small businesses should invest in experts before they think they’re “ready”
How proactive HR saves far more than reactive clean-up
What “managing seasons” means in business and life—and how Shannon uses it to stay intentional
Why she’s embracing video (and even “winning ugly”) to showcase her personal HR style
Whether you’re running a startup or leading an established team, this episode will change how you approach your people problems and give you practical tools you can use immediately.
About Our Guest:
Shannon Carriere is a global HR expert and founder of an HR hotline service for small businesses. She’s helped leaders across industries and continents handle complex, high-stakes people issues without overcomplicating solutions. From startup growing pains to global transition support, Shannon’s approach is rooted in practicality, clarity, and putting people first.
Connect with Shannon:
