HR leadership for small businesses
Your business has grown. Your HR should keep up.
After more than 30 years leading HR for growing, multi-entity organizations, I help business owners make sound people decisions, manage risk and build stronger teams, without the expense of a full-time HR executive.
Situations I help with
What this looks like in practice
These are the situations business owners bring to me, and what we work through together.
We put the essentials in place, from policies and onboarding to how managers handle performance, so problems get handled before they become costly.
We work through the next steps together: how to respond, who needs to be involved, what to document, and when to bring in an employment attorney.
I step in as interim or fractional HR leadership, keep things running, and help you define and hire the role you actually need.
Services for businesses
HR leadership without a full-time HR department
I’ve led HR for complex, multi-entity and private equity–backed organizations. Small businesses get that same experience, scoped to what they actually need.
- HR foundationsPolicies, handbooks and the core processes a growing team needs.
- Employee relationsGuidance through complaints, investigations, discipline and difficult conversations.
- Hiring & onboardingJob design, interviewing and a first 90 days that sets people up to succeed.
- Performance & leadershipFair expectations, useful reviews and coaching for managers.
- Change & growthReorganizations, acquisitions and integration planning.
- Separations done wellLayoffs and terminations handled with care, clarity and documentation.
Every business is different, so engagements are scoped to your needs. We’ll start with a conversation about where you are and where you’re headed.
How it works
From first conversation to a working plan
- Start with a conversationTell me about your business, your team and what’s keeping you up at night.
- Agree on the scopeA defined project, monthly support or interim leadership, with clear deliverables and pricing before work begins.
- Get to workI put the right pieces in place and stay available as new situations come up.
About Kim
I’ve spent 30 years in the rooms where people decisions get made
Before the hire and after it. Before the difficult conversation and after the complaint. Through growth, acquisitions and organizational change.
For more than 30 years I’ve worked across hiring, compensation, benefits, employee relations, performance management, investigations, mergers and acquisitions, and separation, including senior HR leadership for complex, multi-entity organizations.
Over the years, people kept opening with the same question: “Kim, can I ask you an HR question?” Transparent HR Advisory grew from that need.
My job isn’t to make decisions for you. It’s to help you see clearly enough to make informed decisions for yourself.
Good HR doesn’t slow a growing business down. It puts guardrails around the speed.
Experience across telecom, industrial services, professional services, specialty chemicals and global manufacturing.
For individuals
Need HR guidance for yourself?
If you’re an employee or candidate facing a situation at work, choose the one closest to yours. I’ll show you where to start.
Services for individuals
Clear help, priced up front
Every service is HR and career guidance from someone who has sat in the room where decisions get made.
In their words
What clients say
Shared with each client’s permission. Clients choose how they’re identified, and many prefer to remain anonymous.
Confidentiality
Private, professional and independent
Whether you run the business or work in one, what you share is handled with discretion.
- No conflicts of interestI never advise both sides of the same situation, and I check for conflicts before taking on any new client.
- Your conversations stay privateWhat you share is used only to advise you, and it’s never shared without your written permission.
- Individuals: I never contact your employerI don’t reach out to your company, your manager or HR on your behalf. You decide what to say and when.
- Your documents are used only for your workSend only what the work requires. It’s reviewed to advise you and nothing else.
Questions
Common questions
Do I need a full-time HR person?
Not always. Many growing businesses need experienced HR judgment more than a full-time hire. We can start with the essentials and ongoing support, and I’ll help you recognize when a full-time role makes sense.
How is pricing set for businesses?
Engagements are scoped to your needs: a defined project, a monthly advisory retainer or interim leadership. You’ll have a clear scope and price before any work begins.
Can you step in while we hire an HR leader?
Yes. Interim and fractional HR leadership keeps things running while you hire, and I can help you define the role and evaluate candidates.
Do you work with both employees and employers?
Yes. I never advise both sides of the same situation, and I check for conflicts before taking on any new client.
Is Transparent HR Advisory part of my employer?
No. Transparent HR Advisory is an independent advisory service.
Are you an attorney?
No. I provide HR and career guidance, not legal advice or representation. If your situation needs legal interpretation, I’ll suggest you speak with an employment attorney, and I can still help with the HR side.
As an individual, which service should I choose?
If you have one clear question and no documents need to be read, start with the HR Quick Question. If documents need review or you need a plan, choose the HR Strategy Session or the package that matches your situation.
Can I send documents?
Yes, when your service includes document review. Page limits apply, and documents are due at least 48 hours before your session.
Will my employer know I talked to you?
Not from me. Transparent HR Advisory is independent, and I don’t contact employers on a client’s behalf or share your information without your written permission.
Will you contact my employer for me?
No. I help you prepare, understand and communicate. I don’t act as your representative with your employer.
Can you tell me whether my employer broke the law?
No. Legal determinations belong with an attorney. I can help you organize the facts, understand the employer’s process and identify questions to take to counsel.
Can you help with FMLA or benefits decisions?
Yes. I can help you understand the HR process, prepare your request, track deadlines and compare the employer-provided options in front of you. I don’t provide legal, medical, insurance, tax or financial advice.
Do you guarantee an outcome?
No. Employers make their own decisions. My role is to help you understand the situation and prepare well.
Get in touch · For business owners
HR support for the business you're building.
Building a team, handling a people challenge, or planning what's next? Let's start with a conversation about what your business needs.
Book a free discovery callLet's talk about your business
Have a question before booking? You can also reach Kim directly.
kim@transparenthradvisory.comFor individuals
Looking for one-on-one HR guidance?
Book a focused conversation about your workplace or career situation.