How to Build a Strong HR Foundation as an Entrepreneur | Vicky Brown

Thinking of leaving the corporate world to build your own business? Before you hire your first employee, you need a solid HR foundation. In this episode of Executive Connect, Vicky Brown, CEO of Idomeneo Enterprises and author of How to Manage Your Employees and Stay Out of Court, shares how to avoid the costly HR mistakes that can sink a growing company.

Vicky reveals how she transitioned from HBO executive to entrepreneur and built a thriving HR consultancy that helps small businesses stay compliant, lead with confidence, and scale their teams the right way. You’ll learn how to classify employees correctly, when to outsource HR, and why your first hire should never be payroll. If you’re an entrepreneur or small business owner looking to grow without getting buried in compliance issues, this episode will save you time, money, and stress.

Timestamps:
00:00 Leaving corporate life and starting over as an entrepreneur
02:00 How a mentor pushed Vicky into starting her first business
04:30 The top HR mistakes new entrepreneurs make
06:00 The truth about independent contractors and employee classification
07:00 What exempt and non-exempt really mean for small business owners
09:00 How to avoid the most painful HR audit mistakes
10:00 What to focus on when building your HR foundation
11:30 Why every entrepreneur needs HR help from day one
13:00 Transitioning from solo hustler to effective team leader
14:20 How your company only grows as much as you do
15:40 The art of delegation and letting go
17:00 Scaling your business by scaling your people
18:00 Why continuing education is the key to retention and growth
20:30 Cross-functional training and developing well-rounded employees
22:00 When to hire an HR professional and how to find the right one
25:00 The pros and cons of outsourcing vs. using a PEO
27:20 Final advice for entrepreneurs on building strong teams
29:20 How to connect with Vicky and access her free HR toolkit

Key Themes:

• HR strategy for entrepreneurs

• Employee classification and compliance

• Scaling small business teams

• Leadership development and delegation

• Building a foundation for growth

• Outsourcing HR effectively

• Avoiding payroll and audit mistakes

Connect With Vicky Brown:

Download the free HR startup guide: vickybrownhr.com/podcastgift

Connect With Us:

Visit our website: www.executiveconnectpodcast.com
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