How to Hire the Right Employees | Recruiting Strategy for Small Businesses | Courtney Steele Lucas

Hiring the wrong person can cost a business thousands of dollars—and months of lost productivity. In this episode of the Fully Stoked Podcast, host Sarah Stokes sits down with Courtney Steele Lucas, Founder and CEO of Steele Talent Solutions, to discuss how companies can hire smarter, build stronger teams, and avoid the costly mistakes that derail business growth. Courtney brings over 13 years of experience in talent acquisition and recruiting, helping organizations build strategic hiring processes that prioritize culture fit, leadership potential, and long-term growth—not just filling a role quickly. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, manager, or professional thinking about hiring your first employee, this episode is packed with practical insights on recruiting strategy, leadership, and career development. In This Episode We Discuss • Why hiring the wrong employee can cost companies 30% of their annual salary • The most common hiring mistakes small and mid-sized businesses make • Why recruiting should be treated as a strategic business decision • The importance of human-centered recruiting in an AI-driven hiring world • How to identify the right cultural fit when hiring • Why adaptability is one of the most important traits in great employees • How entrepreneurs can decide when it's time to hire their first assistant or team member • The real impact of leadership and hiring on company growth • How networking can help entrepreneurs and professionals expand opportunities • Courtney’s journey from corporate recruiting to launching her own company Whether you're building a company, growing your team, or thinking about your next career move, this episode will give you practical strategies for making smarter hiring decisions. About Our Guest Courtney Steele Lucas Founder & CEO — Steele Talent Solutions Courtney helps small and mid-sized businesses scale by hiring the right people. Her firm partners with leadership teams to build structured recruiting processes that prioritize culture, long-term fit, and strategic growth. Learn more: 🌐 https://SteelTalent.com 📧 [email protected] 💼 LinkedIn: Courtney Steele Lucas About the Host Sarah Stokes Senior Mortgage Loan Advisor Coast2Coast Mortgage Lending Sarah helps clients buy, refinance, and invest in real estate across North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond through team partnerships. 📩 [email protected] 📱 704-301-6040 | 828-772-4638 🔗 https://linktr.ee/sarahwhitleystokes 🔗 https://blinq.me/ndSaSgEp0Tmy 🔗 www.fullystokedhomeloans.com Subscribe to Fully Stoked Podcast 🎧 Spotify 🎧 Apple Podcasts 🎧 Amazon Music / Audible 📺 YouTube New episodes released every Monday at 8:00 AM Podcast Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Fully Stoked Podcast are their own and may not necessarily reflect those of the host. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes. Sarah Stokes believes in Yeshua HaMashiach and strives to create conversations that inspire growth, connection, and encouragement through respectful dialogue. #HiringStrategy #RecruitingTips #SmallBusinessHiring #LeadershipDevelopment #TalentAcquisition #Entrepreneurship #HiringEmployees #BusinessGrowth #StartupHiring #Careers #FullyStokedPodcast #SarahStokes