Honor the Journey: My Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship — Building Income Streams, Confidence, and a Life by Design
Release Date: 11/25/2025
The Savvy Leader Podcast
In this episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, host Kristin Gallatin sits down with Ty McLean, founder of Moneta Research, to unpack how AI is actually being used inside investment firms, hedge funds, and solopreneur businesses — far beyond hype and buzzwords. Ty shares his unconventional journey from audio engineering and music production to AI-driven investment research, explaining how the same systems-thinking mindset applies across creative, technical, and financial domains. He breaks down how AI can function like a team of humans, handling qualitative analysis, marketing, outreach, and...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
Why I'm a Bad Salesperson — and Why That's Actually the Point What if being a "bad salesperson" is actually a sign of clarity, integrity, and leadership? In this solo episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin reframes sales through the lens of servant leadership, quiet drive, and stewardship. Drawing from decades of experience in retail, real estate, consulting, and commission-based work, she explores why traditional sales pressure creates internal anxiety — and how systems, automation, and patience can transform the entire experience. This episode is especially for leaders who: Feel...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
What does it really take to lead with confidence in sales — especially in a male-dominated, technical industry you didn't start out knowing? In this episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, host Kristin Gallatin sits down with Mindee Peterson, Sales Manager at MyTech Partners, for an honest and empowering conversation about sales leadership, culture, resilience, and self-leadership. Mindee shares how she stepped into IT consulting without a technical background, earned trust through curiosity and humility, and built a thriving sales team rooted in values and culture. We explore what it means to...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
Do you get an "icky" feeling when it's time to ask for the business? In this episode of The Savvy Leader Podcast, host Kristin Gallatin sits down with Stefani Havel, the "Client Conversion Queen" and founder of the Sales Strategist Network. Stefani shares her incredible journey from selling produce at a Minnesota farmer's market at age six to leading high-performing teams in corporate America for 25 years. After her corporate role was eliminated, Stefani pivoted to help small business owners and entrepreneurs bridge the gap between "having a conversation" and "signing a contract." In this...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
As we kick off a new year, health is at the forefront of everyone's mind. But what happens when traditional medicine offers no answers? Join host Kristin Gallatin for a powerful "Stories Behind the Business" feature with Sandy Molin, a LifeWave Brand Partner and LEAD member. Sandy opens up about her harrowing battle with chronic illness, cancer recovery, and the sheer exhaustion that led her to a breaking point—until she discovered the power of light therapy patches. In this episode, Sandy explains the science of the X39 patch, how it activates stem cells, and why she is now on a mission to...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
As we step into a new year, this special episode of The Savvy Leader Podcast is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rebuild with intention — rather than rush into another season of hustle. After more than 35 years in business, navigating corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, caregiving, transformation, and reinvention, I'm sharing what rebuilding truly looks like when you lead with experience, clarity, and purpose. In this New Year reflection, I explore: What it means to rebuild after a season of transformation How leadership evolves when endurance is replaced with discernment ...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
This Christmas Eve, join Kristin on the Savvy Leader Podcast for the final episode in the Honor the Journey series. Reflect on generosity, letting go, and the life-changing lessons that come from giving more than you think you can — to others, your community, and yourself. From self-employment challenges, building meaningful professional and personal relationships, to downsizing into RV life and finding freedom in simplicity, Kristin shares stories of leadership, faith, and intentional generosity. Learn how letting go can create space for transformation, new beginnings, and deeper...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
Holiday travel is hectic—but it doesn't have to be chaotic. In this timely episode of The Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin Gallatin welcomes Tony Peltier, a professional driver and business owner behind Tony Goes There, and the heart-centered wedding DJ brand MY Day DJ. Tony shares the powerful origin story that shaped his mission: advocating for women's safety, building trust through exceptional service, and creating a business model rooted in reliability, ethics, and human connection. With over eight years of experience, Tony offers invaluable insights into: What most travelers don't...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
In this solo episode of the Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin Gallatin shares her personal Walk in Faith—how she moved from obligation and uncertainty to trust, clarity, and alignment with God's design. Recorded during the Christmas season, this episode is a reflective and honest conversation about faith, purpose, marriage, and becoming who you were created to be. In this episode, Kristin shares: What it means to truly walk in faith, not just believe The difference between knowing God and knowing Christ Why conviction is not condemnation—and how growth really happens How faith became...
info_outlineThe Savvy Leader Podcast
Join us for a powerful episode of Stories Behind the Business with LEAD Network member Victoria Bizzotto, CEO of Pink Slip Solutions. Discover how 17 years in corporate HR and a life-changing event inspired her to start her own boutique consulting firm. Victoria shares her journey, the importance of putting people before profits (and how it affects your bottom line!), and practical, free advice for leaders on fostering a positive company culture through better communication and listening. Learn about key HR changes, like the looming Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) in Minnesota, and how...
info_outlineIn this Honor the Journey mid-week edition of The Savvy Leader Podcast, Kristin shares the raw, unfiltered story of her leap from a 21-year corporate career into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.
From walking out of her corporate job on the exact same day her husband resigned, to juggling three jobs just to stay afloat, to slowly building multiple income streams — real estate, digital marketing, franchising, and community leadership — this episode breaks down what really happens when you choose to bet on yourself.
Kristin dives into:
-
How she used complementary businesses to stabilize income
-
Why she recommends 12 months of cash reserves before taking the leap
-
Her early struggles in real estate and what finally clicked
-
The surprising reason she stepped back from a rising sales career
-
"Conflict of values" — and how it shapes your decisions without you realizing it
-
Scaling Gray Duck Marketing Group during COVID
-
Launching LEAD Network Professionals and why the market desperately needed a new kind of networking group
-
Building a strategic, values-driven brand that actually converts
-
Why clarity, consistency, and community matter more than hustle
If you're a new entrepreneur, a burned-out professional, or someone craving a more aligned life, this episode will give you perspective, encouragement, and tactical insight to help you honor your journey — wherever you are today.
Relevant LinksLEAD Network Professionals https://www.leadnetwork.pro
Savvy Living Network Community https://www.savvylivingnetwork.com
Connect with Kristin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristingallatin