Leadership Lessons from 15 years of Building HR à la carte

, by Stephanie Messier |

Fifteen years ago, HR à la carte started with a simple idea: make professional HR support accessible to growing businesses that didn’t yet need a full-time HR team. What I didn’t realize at the time was that leading an HR firm would become one of the richest leadership classrooms of my life.

Over the years — through client milestones, hiring waves, and moments that tested our values — I’ve seen patterns that every business leader, not just those in HR, will recognize.

People Remember How You Make Them Feel

You can have airtight policies and beautiful handbooks, but what stays with people is how they were treated when things got hard. HR teaches you that empathy isn’t the opposite of accountability — it’s the foundation of it. The same holds true for clients. They may come for expertise, but they stay for trust.

Clarity Builds Confidence

Early on, I learned that vague communication creates confusion faster than any complex system. Setting clear expectations with employees and clients — and following through — creates calm. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about bringing steadiness to uncertainty.

Growth Requires Letting Go

As HR à la carte expanded, letting go of the small details was harder than I expected. But real growth meant empowering others to lead, even if they did things differently than I would. It’s a humbling shift from “my business” to “our business.”

Culture Doesn’t Scale by Accident

Culture is easy when you’re five people. At fifty, it takes intention especially in a virtual environment. We built rhythms — team check-ins, recognition moments, collaboration and shared learning. Culture doesn’t live in a policy manual; it lives in daily habits.

Stay Curious, Always

HR has transformed dramatically — from compliance binders to AI-driven insights. Every shift reminded me that curiosity is a competitive advantage. Whether it’s new tech, changing employment law, or evolving employee expectations, staying open keeps your business adaptable and your mind sharp.

Gratitude Is a Growth Strategy

It’s simple but true: relationships grow on gratitude. Every client who trusted us, every partner who collaborated, every consultant who showed up with care — they shaped our journey. Saying thank you is more than manners; it’s how you build a reputation that lasts.

Leadership Is Never “Done”

After fifteen years, I’ve stopped looking for the finish line. Leadership is a practice — a rhythm of learning, adjusting, and listening. Some seasons demand vision; others, humility. Both are essential.

Running an HR business has been a masterclass in human nature — and a mirror for my own growth as a leader. If there’s one constant, it’s this: when you focus on people first, the rest follows.

Here’s to the next chapter — still learning, still evolving, and still grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey.