Hire Breakthrough Podcast with Kimone Napier

2025 Hiring Guide: W2, 1099, or a Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?

Kimone Napier Season 3 Episode 22

For years, founders have been told to just hire a contractor—it’s cheaper, faster, and easier. But in 2025? Misclassifying talent could cost you way more than you think.

In this re-released episode of The Hire Breakthrough Podcast, I’m breaking down one of the most common (and costly) mistakes founders make: hiring without understanding the legal difference between W2 employees and 1099 contractors.

Whether you’re growing your team or hiring your first support role, this episode covers: 

✔️ The key differences between contractors and employees (and why it matters)

✔️ Common hiring mistakes that lead to audits, fines, or worse 

✔️ How to make the right hire based on your business stage 

✔️ Why “flexibility” isn’t a good enough reason to choose a contractor

This is your crash course in compliance, clarity, and confident hiring—so you can scale without second-guessing.

Grab the Hire Breakthrough Calculator: https://hirebreakthrough.com/calculator

Ready to take the next step?
Scale Hire is our done-for-you hiring solution, handling the entire process from start to finish. From sourcing and screening to delivering a curated list of top candidates, we take the stress out of hiring so you can focus on scaling your business. 👉 Learn More Here


Looking for Talent & Workforce Development Solutions?
At Hire Breakthrough, we design and deliver workforce development programs that equip professionals and organizations for the future of work. Whether you need customized training, leadership development, or career readiness programs, we create solutions that drive real impact. 👉 Learn More Here

🎤 Need a speaker or trainer? Kimone Napier brings expert insights on hiring, DEI, leadership, talent and workforce trends to organizations looking to elevate their teams. 👉 Learn More Here 

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