Building a Business in Uncertain Times: KPIs, Mindset, and Follow-Through

In a world where the word most leaders use is “uncertain,” what does it really take to build something that lasts?

In this episode, Mike talks with Sarah Englade, Founder and CEO of Monarch Talent Solutions, about launching and growing a recruiting firm in 2020—when companies were laying people off, not hiring. Sarah shares how a COVID layoff pushed her to bet on herself, why KPIs and processes are non-negotiable, and how she built a relationship-first recruiting brand in a noisy, skeptical market.

They dig into the mindset shifts that separate entrepreneurs who keep going from those who quietly quit, the role of belief when the numbers aren’t there yet, and how time blocking keeps you out of “tension-relieving” activity and focused on what truly moves the ball.

If you’re leading a business, a team, or your own career through uncertainty, this conversation gives you practical handles—not theories—you can put to work this week.

Highlights

• How a COVID layoff became the catalyst for Sarah to launch Monarch Talent Solutions

• The difference between working in KPI-driven environments vs. “no metrics, total chaos”

• Why Sarah “lives for KPIs and processes” and how they actually protect culture and standards

• The candidate and client follow-through processes that turn transactions into long-term relationships

• Building a credible brand without “infomercial” content or constant self-promotion

• Using market intel and real conversations to position yourself as a trusted guide

• The biggest early hurdle: mindset, not circumstance

• How time blocking keeps you out of the swirl and focused on goal-achieving work

• Starting each day with the task you least want to do — and why that moves the needle most

Next Steps for Listeners

• Audit your KPIs:
  Ask yourself, “What are the 3–5 activities that actually drive results for my team or business?” Turn those into visible, trackable KPIs.

• Design one follow-through process:
  Choose either candidates, clients, or customers and map a simple sequence:
  How often will you touch them? Through which channels? What value will you bring each time?

• Time block your week:
  Take Sarah’s playbook and dedicate specific days or blocks to different priorities (e.g., candidates early in the week, business development later).

• Start tomorrow with the hard thing:
  Before you end your day, write down the one task you’re resisting — and commit to tackling it first thing.

• Connect with Sarah:
  Reach out to Sarah Englade on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-englade/) or email her at [e-mail] if you want to go deeper on recruiting, branding, or building a relationship-first search firm.

• Stay in the conversation:
  Follow Strategies for Tomorrow’s Leaders and share this episode with another entrepreneur or leader who’s navigating uncertainty right now