Starting my HR consulting business, HR Premiere Consulting has been a whirlwind of challenges, growth, and learning. As I reflect on my first year on my own, I’m proud to be part of the 80% of small businesses that survive past year one! My journey has been both humbling and rewarding, especially as a women entrepreneur contributing to the thriving community of 13 million women-owned businesses in the US. Wow! From helping clients navigate complex HR landscapes to building a foundation for long-term success, this year has shown me the power of resilience, relationships, and the impact I can make as a dedicated consultant.
I want to take the next paragraphs to answer some questions posed to me from another consultant who is just starting out. I think this could be helpful to someone looking to take the leap from a full-time job to a consultant. I am all about paying it forward if I can.
What was your biggest challenge when you first started your consulting firm?
I would say the biggest challenge with consulting was knowing where to start. There were so many things that needed to be done. So much networking and coffee! Initially I felt like I was running in a lot of different directions at the same time. Those days still happen, but I now focus my networking efforts to Tuesdays and Thursdays to maintain both my sanity and caffeine levels. I am, by trade, a very detail-oriented person and find comfort in making lists of things to do. I still do make lists, but I’ve learned to ignore them as I’ve better trained myself on the items that need to be done on a regular basis, like writing this blog.
Marketing has been a significant challenge for me. As someone who thrives on building relationships and often worked behind the scenes, stepping into the spotlight as the face of my company has been an adjustment. Now, every time I leave the house, I have to embody my brand and walk the walk, which pushes me outside my comfort zone in new and exciting ways. I have become better at utilizing my downtime to create a better return. I’ve learned where to spend my time and what things are optional. At first, I found it challenging because I tried to be everywhere, but I eventually learned to focus my time on the most valuable opportunities and the right people.
How did you decide what “featured services” you would provide?
In the very beginning, I really didn’t have a clue what services to offer. I used some assessment tools to help identify my strengths and weaknesses and had a mentor to help me with those first few months. I thought I needed to be like others and offer those services, *cough imposter syndrome anyone? But what I found out was that I loved the chaos of the Fractional HR Model and didn’t want to spend my time offering training or speaking engagements, as those areas did not serve me or play to my strengths.
I have a knack for keeping a lot of details organized and tidy. I am able to work fractionally, a few hours per week, with various clients, with very little switching time. I love the variety of my work and the industries that I have been able to work in. Opportunities I would have never had if not for this business.
What surprised you most about starting your business?
In the beginning, the lack of a regular paycheck was the most challenging aspect. The paycheck is a component of psychological safety that I knew was going to change, but for a few months it was tough waiting to be paid. All of a sudden, I was not getting paid as regularly or often as I was used to. Drumming up business takes time. I was fortunate to engage with my former employer for a few months to help me bridge that gap. I always tell people when they ask about business that it’s like a pendulum swinging. Some days you will have an abundance of opportunities and projects and then next week there will be nothing. The trick is to keep the upswing weeks going to get you through the downswing weeks. And sometimes, I just need a break anyways and take some time off.
Keep your eye on the big picture and ask yourself these questions. Is what you’re doing sustainable? Does it have legs? Do you love it? How can it be better? What do you need to make it better? Where do you waste most of your time? What is the most challenging aspect of the business? It has also helped me to work with a marketing consultant with the SBDC of Michigan. She helps me navigate issues and challenges me to keep the business growing. For instance, I just implemented a CRM system that helps me manage all my clients in one place. It saves me time already and I’m just getting started!
2025 Here I Come!
I am ready to tackle 2025 in a big way! I’ve planted seeds everywhere hoping some would grow and by golly grow they did. I am blessed to be getting referrals from a variety of sources and even from my website. It takes time and effort to get to this point. I am always one to question whether or not something is serving me in the way I had hoped and if not, then deciding what I can do different. I don’t think there is a perfect formula for success in a consulting business, except to pour yourself into the business, be open to change, and see what happens. We’ve all become more adaptable and can pivot on a dime. Takes that resilience and give yourself a chance to see what you can do with it!
Here are a few links to Small Business Development Corps near me:
Michigan Small Business Consulting Services & Resources | MI SBDC