Season 2 of Past the Pitch is officially here—and I couldn’t think of a better way to launch than with the bold, insightful, and endlessly genuine Beth Erwin, CEO and founder of Bestaff and fellow coauthor of Together We Rise.
Beth is someone who does not just talk leadership, she lives it. And from the moment we hit record, we were off to the races, diving deep into what it really means to lead, adapt, and connect in today’s complex business landscape.
- We covered a lot in this episode, from cross-functional buy-in and strategic pivots to the very challenges of personal branding in the age of templated content. Trust me, you’ll want to hear the full story on YouTube.
🧭 The Unexpected Leadership Lesson
When I asked Beth to share the most unexpected leadership lesson she has learned, her answer was refreshingly honest:
“What’s good for the organization isn’t always easy on the organization.”
She explained how early in her VP of Sales days; she implemented a strong sales plan that worked on paper. But in practice, it strained departments like accounting, HR, and operations because no one had considered the downstream impact.
It was a turning point. Beth began holding cross-functional monthly meetings where every department had a voice at the table before changes were made. That inclusive approach, she shared, not only made execution smoother—it helped the organization grow together.
This resonated deeply with me. I have lived through similar moments where sales drove the conversation, but operations, delivery, or recruitment felt blindsided. As Beth put it so well, “You don’t know what you don’t know—until you invite others into the process.”
🔄 Pivoting in Unpredictable Times
When it comes to adaptability in business, Beth did not shy away from the reality that we have all been operating in unpredictability for years now. The pandemic was not just a test of business models; it was a test of leadership instincts.
Beth recalled how her team at Bestaff analyzed every aspect of their business during COVID, doubling down on industries that remained strong while making hard, but necessary, calls to preserve the health of the company.
We both agreed: no one perfectly pivoted through the pandemic. Many of us were simply in survival mode, making decisions with limited visibility and a whole lot of gut instinct.
But the bigger insight? Adaptability is not a one-time event. It is a practice. Whether you are sunsetting a service line, launching a new branch, or rethinking how you go to market—it is about acting when your gut tells you something is off. As Beth’s co-founder (and husband) wisely says:
“As soon as you know – act.”
💡 On Personal Branding and Being Real
Beth’s take on personal branding was one of my favorite moments of the conversation, partly because of how real it got. She openly admitted how building a personal brand did not come naturally to her, especially as someone who prefers to lead with results, not self-promotion.
She shared a moment at a conference where someone described her as the “strong, silent type.” It floored her. That was not how she saw herself, but it became clear that if she did not define her leadership story, others would do it for her.
We explored the tension between being authentic and visible, especially in a digital world where so many posts feel cookie-cutter. Beth called out something many of us feel but do not say:
“When everyone’s following the same format, the audience goes numb.”
It is a reminder that authenticity is not about volume, it is about clarity. Know what you stand for. And do not be afraid to show it, even if your delivery does not look like everyone else’s.
💼 Customer Experience: The Bestaff Way
Beth also pulled back the curtain on how her team differentiates in a hyper-competitive space like light industrial staffing. Her answer? Two words: high touch.
From the very first line of her business plan, Beth made it clear that personal service would be their superpower. That commitment shows up in everyday moments, like hand-delivered holiday treats, rapid responses, and just being present. It is a mindset that is easier to deliver as an owner-operator, but one that she believes can scale if you invest in the right tech to remove the noise and free your team up for real relationships.
As someone who has led sales and operations teams, I could not agree more. When it comes to creating unforgettable customer experiences, it is not about the bells and whistles, it is about making your clients feel like they are your only client.
🔍 Why You Need to Tune In
There is so much more packed into this episode, from stories about leadership transitions and rapid-fire pivots to thoughts on empathy, resilience, and creating impact in a noisy world.
And yes, Beth may or may not reveal the quirkiest productivity hack you have ever heard. (Spoiler: it involves silence and a steering wheel.)
🎧 Ready for a dose of real leadership wisdom (and a few surprises)? Catch Episode 1 of Season 2 on YouTube →
🎧 Watch Episode 1 of Season 2 Here
✨ Final Thoughts
Season 2 of Past the Pitch is all about real conversations with real leaders, and Beth sets the bar sky-high. If you are a founder, executive, or aspiring leader looking for lessons that go beyond the buzzwords, this episode is for you.
Whether you are navigating change, building your brand, or trying to create better cross-functional collaboration, Beth’s story will leave you inspired and ready to act.
