251: The People Side of Business with Sarah Hermanson

In this episode of The Found Podcast, Molly sits down with Sarah Hermanson, founder of One Above HR, pumpkin farmer, and people-first leadership expert.

With over 30 years of experience in human resources and recruiting, Sarah has seen firsthand what makes businesses thrive and what causes them to struggle. And here's the truth she keeps coming back to: it's not just the product, the service, or the strategy…it's the people.

Together, Molly and Sarah explore what it really looks like to build a business rooted in care, communication, and culture, and why those "soft skills" are actually the most powerful drivers of performance, retention, and long-term success.

From practical ways to build connection in your workplace, to the surprising impact of nonverbal communication, to the often-avoided (but incredibly important) topic of succession planning, this conversation is full of grounded wisdom you can apply right away.

And in true Found Podcast fashion, you'll also hear how Sarah's story weaves together entrepreneurship, family legacy, and a 46-year-old pumpkin farm in rural Iowa.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• Why "joy at work" isn't fluffy, it's foundational to business success
• How to build connection with your team in just 5–8 minutes a day
• The concept of "advanced communication" (and why words aren't enough)
• Simple body language shifts that can transform how you're perceived
• Why founders need to think about succession planning sooner than they think
• How Sarah transitioned from corporate HR to entrepreneurship
• Lessons from taking over a multi-generational family pumpkin farm
• What it really means to lead with care, culture, and communication

Key Quotes

• "We don't achieve any of our goals if we aren't approaching them with care."
• "I can teach you how to do something. I can't teach you how to care."
• "90,000 hours of our lives are spent at work. Those should be joy-filled hours."

Resources & Links

• Connect with Sarah: sarah@oneabovehr.com
• Website: One Above HR
• Sherman's Pumpkin Farm (Manchester, Iowa)
• Follow Sarah on LinkedIn