Meghan Houle on Reinventing Recruitment, Pitching with Conviction, and Building in Public

In this episode of The Art of Becoming, I’m joined by Meghan Houle — globally recognized hiring expert, accredited Career and Business Coach, and the founder and CEO of CONCÉ, a next-generation concierge-style hiring platform. After more than two decades placing executives at brands like LVMH, Victoria Beckham, Veronica Beard, and Christian Louboutin, Meghan is reimagining recruitment for the way the industry actually works now.Meghan is one of the most determined founders I know. We talk about what it actually looks like to leap from service-based business owner to tech founder, the financial and emotional reality of building a platform from scratch, and why she stopped people-pleasing in business relationships.Inside the episode, we discuss:* the multi-year evolution from luxury recruiter to tech founder — and the Napa mastermind where CONCÉ finally clicked* what it really costs to build a tech platform from scratch — and her advice on how to avoid burning through cash* the difference between strategic alignment and soul alignment — and why your gut knows the difference* navigating fundraising as a female founder when women receive less than 2% of VC capital* why “people-pleasing in business” always costs you — and the specific moments she’s learned to push back* her advice for entering a job search at the top of your career, not the bottom — and why energy at the start of a new chapter determines how that chapter goesMeghan’s perspective on building boldly, asking for what you’re worth, and refusing to wait for permission to claim your next chapter is the kind of conversation that puts a fire under you. If you’ve been sitting on an idea for too long or quietly waiting for the “right time” to leap, this is your sign.Connect with Meghan* Website: hirewithconce.com + meghanhoule.com* Instagram: @allthingsmeghoule* CONCÉ Instagram: @hirewithconceConnect with Nicole* Website: thenicolehart.com* Substack: Built In Her Name* Instagram: @thenicolehartIf this conversation resonated, subscribe to The Art of Becoming, share it with a friend who needs to hear it, and leave a review to help other ambitious women find the show. Get full access to Built In Her Name at thenicolehart.substack.com/subscribe