Pivoting With Purpose
You can outgrow a title, an office, and even a version of yourself—and that’s the point. Kelly sits down with Nikki Ahlgren to unpack the real pivot from C-suite stability to values-first entrepreneurship, where clarity and presence become the operating system for both work and family. Nikki shares how she navigated the gray zone between identities, let go of the need to prove through late-night perfection, and rebuilt a business around outcomes, trust, and high-touch relationships.
We dive into the strategy behind effective executive search: defining success before sourcing, avoiding noisy inbound channels, and running disciplined research that targets the right 300 candidates instead of the wrong 600 apps. Nikki explains why she shifted to flat-fee pricing to eliminate misaligned incentives and earn CFO-level trust, and how she balances being a true talent partner with sustainable growth. We also talk seasonal decisions—like giving up office space—and why the ego tied to “looking big” can block what actually works for your life.
Community shows up as a quiet superpower throughout—Rotary connections, industry conferences, and intentional networking that trades volume for meaningful one-on-ones. And because entrepreneurship is a family sport, Nikki shares how a playful side venture with her kids turned into a lesson in branding, service, and ownership. If you’re standing in the in-between, wondering whether to leap, you’ll hear practical tactics and a humane philosophy: pick the lane that brings joy, set clear intentions, and let clarity attract the right opportunities.
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Thanks for listening & cheers to Reclaiming Your Hue!
