Candid With Candidates
If you’ve ever wondered how people actually build careers inside major organizations, not just what they post on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.
Candid with Candidates is hosted by Jenn Hahn, founder and CEO of J Recruiting Services, a national recruitment firm specializing in retail, wholesale, and distribution.
In each episode, Jenn sits down with corporate leaders, from CMOs and senior executives to rising directors, to talk through the real decisions, setbacks, and moments that shaped their careers.
This isn’t a highlight reel. These are thoughtful, honest conversations about what it takes to grow inside the corporate world, and how the people leading those organizations actually got there.
Whether you’re just starting out, managing a team, or already established in your career, you’ll hear stories that help you feel informed, encouraged, and more connected to your own professional path.
This podcast also serves as a space for leaders to share their perspectives and showcase their organizations, making it a valuable tool for both talent attraction and industry insight.
What you’ll learn from each episode:
- How real people move from entry-level to executive roles
- What leadership looks like behind the scenes
- The soft skills and mindset shifts that matter most
- How companies grow and retain top talent
- Honest advice from people who’ve done the work
New episodes drop every second Tuesday, starting June 3rd.
Make sure to follow Candid with Candidates wherever you get your podcasts, and get ready to hear the stories that don’t make it to the company bio.
Candid With Candidates
From Physical Therapy to Executive Leadership in Grocery Retail: Kendra Shaw’s Career Journey at Sprouts Farmers Market
What if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?
In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.
Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate versus field leadership, and how she rediscovered her voice by aligning with the right culture.
With clarity and candor, Kendra breaks down what it takes to lead through people, scale a values-driven team, and build a fulfilling career without losing yourself along the way.
What You'll Learn:
- Why being “expendable” is actually a leadership strength
- The often-overlooked impact of store managers on company performance
- What it takes to scale from 4 to 52 stores—and keep culture intact
- How to know when it’s time to move on from a company you love
- The leadership values that guide hiring and growth at Sprouts
- Why “doing it for yourself” isn’t selfish—it’s essential
- Two foundational pieces of advice for anyone advancing their career
This episode offers real-world insight for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a team, or leading through growth in a high-performance environment.
Guest Links:
Connect with Kendra Shaw: kendrashaw@sprouts.com or at linkedin.com/in/kendrashaw/
Explore Sprouts Farmers Market: sprouts.com
Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.
For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn