What's Next: CEO and Founder - HR
Sat Jan 24 2026
In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey, Lacey sits down with the brilliant Michelle Griffin—CEO, founder, and all-around HR powerhouse behind Griffin Resources.
Michelle helps small- and medium-sized businesses tackle the big HR stuff (think: building the right team, navigating mergers, and surviving layoffs with sanity intact). In this conversation, she spills on her journey from industrial-organizational psychology to HR executive to full-on entrepreneur, plus what it really takes to run a multi-entity business.
We get into the highs, the hard parts, and the behind-the-scenes realities of building a company—along with Michelle’s best advice on scaling a business, creating strong client relationships, and fostering a workplace culture people actually want to be part of.
Whether you’re dreaming about starting your own business, already deep in the HR world, or just love hearing how smart women make big moves, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.
Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one.
00:00 Welcome to What's Next with Lacey
00:15 Introducing Michelle Griffin: CEO of Griffin Resources
00:51 Michelle's Journey to CEO
01:59 The Role and Growth of Griffin Resources
05:07 Operational Insights and Team Management
07:14 Balancing Client Work and Internal Operations
21:16 Challenges and Surprises in Running a Business
25:31 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals
33:20 Michelle's Early Career and Transition to HR
34:45 Struggles in Human Behavioral Research
35:07 Transition to IO Psychology and HR
36:01 First HR Job at ConnectWise
36:19 Challenges and Growth in HR
37:33 Starting a Business and Pursuing a PhD
38:39 Impact of Higher Education on Career
40:06 Research Skills and Legal Knowledge
41:45 Importance of Employee Happiness
43:42 Pursuing a PhD: Personal and Professional Motivations
46:51 Research on Reverse Knowledge Transfer
48:24 Experience in Auto Theft Adjustment and Insurance
53:19 Best Career Advice Received
59:48 Advice for Entrepreneurs and HR Professionals
01:03:35 Future Plans and Travel Goals
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In this episode of What’s Next with Lacey, Lacey sits down with the brilliant Michelle Griffin—CEO, founder, and all-around HR powerhouse behind Griffin Resources. Michelle helps small- and medium-sized businesses tackle the big HR stuff (think: building the right team, navigating mergers, and surviving layoffs with sanity intact). In this conversation, she spills on her journey from industrial-organizational psychology to HR executive to full-on entrepreneur, plus what it really takes to run a multi-entity business. We get into the highs, the hard parts, and the behind-the-scenes realities of building a company—along with Michelle’s best advice on scaling a business, creating strong client relationships, and fostering a workplace culture people actually want to be part of. Whether you’re dreaming about starting your own business, already deep in the HR world, or just love hearing how smart women make big moves, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration. Trust me—you don’t want to miss this one. 00:00 Welcome to What's Next with Lacey 00:15 Introducing Michelle Griffin: CEO of Griffin Resources 00:51 Michelle's Journey to CEO 01:59 The Role and Growth of Griffin Resources 05:07 Operational Insights and Team Management 07:14 Balancing Client Work and Internal Operations 21:16 Challenges and Surprises in Running a Business 25:31 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals 33:20 Michelle's Early Career and Transition to HR 34:45 Struggles in Human Behavioral Research 35:07 Transition to IO Psychology and HR 36:01 First HR Job at ConnectWise 36:19 Challenges and Growth in HR 37:33 Starting a Business and Pursuing a PhD 38:39 Impact of Higher Education on Career 40:06 Research Skills and Legal Knowledge 41:45 Importance of Employee Happiness 43:42 Pursuing a PhD: Personal and Professional Motivations 46:51 Research on Reverse Knowledge Transfer 48:24 Experience in Auto Theft Adjustment and Insurance 53:19 Best Career Advice Received 59:48 Advice for Entrepreneurs and HR Professionals 01:03:35 Future Plans and Travel Goals