Danielle Laurent's Business Offers HR Expertise for Tech Startups

Hi, Danielle! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

Hi, I'm Danielle. Founder's HR Lab offers Fractional CHRO services and HR consulting designed specifically for tech startups. We provide flexible, executive-level HR expertise without the cost or commitment of hiring a full-time executive. More than just an HR service provider — we are trusted partners. We provide HR that scales and protects our client's businesses. Ensuring compliance and supporting sustainable growth. Our clients avoid DIY HR headaches with our peace of mind strategies that foster a thriving work environment. We take care of all things HR so our founder clients can focus on innovating!

Who are your customers?

Tech Startups, 15 - 150 Employees, Series A & B.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I started my career in the Air Force doing IT and transitioned into HR after realizing I liked the people of things more. For over 20 years I have had the privilege of working for a variety of companies, for the past 15 years I have led HR at tech startups, helping them build their infrastructure and cultures from the ground up. Somewhere along the way I decided tech startups were my jam! It has allowed me to partner directly with founders and be part of leadership teams, driving founder visions forward and helping them achieve sustainable growth and success. Tech startups have been a perfect fit for me, as I thrive in dynamic environments where creativity is key and there are no copy-paste solutions. My executive leadership experience spans various industries, including SaaS, cybersecurity, drone technology, MSPs, and software development, in both the private sector and defense.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I realized that tech startups often face a tough choice: hire full-time, experienced HR professionals to get their operations on track and ensure they attract and retain the right people, this can be very expensive when you factor in taxes and benefits. Alternatively, they can hire someone more junior, but this usually requires a ramp-up period, and there’s often no one available to mentor or teach them. Founders and leadership teams frequently don’t know what they don’t know in HR. The best solution is to hire someone who already has the necessary experience without the commitment of a full-time hire. I decided I could be of more service to multiple companies by leveraging my expertise for those founders who don't want to learn HR themselves, but know it's important.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes, I've always been an entrepreneur at heart, I knew I’d eventually start my own business. The time was right in my career, this was clearly the next step for me, so I seized the opportunity.

Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

My first strategy was to reach out to all the tech companies I gave free advice to here and there and see if they needed my services, it did land me my first client, so that was rad! Really doing lots of outreach and leveraging my network full of people who have been so generous.

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

So far I've learned that it's OK if you didn't get it right right away, you can keep tweaking and pivoting, I learned that it's more difficult than I would've thought to educate businesses on the idea of fractional HR, it's not as common as fractional marketing or finance, but there are more of out there everyday!

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

I am proud that I took this leap, that I had faith in myself and my ideas enough to stay the course. I'm proud that I have services that can actually help businesses, that I have solutions that actually give people peace of mind and allow them to focus on what they love.

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

Yes, I just launched a new service! I am now offering an HR Team Ramp-Up Training service for companies that already have dedicated HR. Our training program accelerates startup HR team's development, providing them with advanced skills to make immediate impact, and be the trusted advisors founders need to protect their businesses. I also just finished a large project for a client and they signed on for 2 projects as well as ongoing CHRO support!

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

In the next few years I plan to grow large enough to bring on other consultants and fractionals to provide them with financial and career freedom. In the near future I'll be rolling out a YouTube channel that provides HR education for HR teams of one and founders who are getting their business stood up.

What is your top productivity tip? 

Number 1 tip is planning! Creating OKRs/KPIs for yourself if you will. What are the big areas you want to tackle to get yourself where you want to be, then break those down into actionable results. I usually get a cute notebook I really like and a nice pen and I write it out so it can be fun. Try to be chill with yourself, for instance I was like I gotta have 6 clients right now! Well, not really, I needed 1 to let me know this was a viable business and I could do this, 2 to reduce the financial stress, 3 to earn my salary back, 4 - and on for the whole reason you start a business to make more and thrive more than you would if you were working for someone. These milestones really helped me put things into perspective.

On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?

I meditate, I focus on what I'm grateful for, and visualize where I want to be. I'm a self-care girlie, I'll get my nails done, give myself a little at home facial, sleep in a little on days I feel I need it and can.

What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?

I'm pretty lucky my son is already an adult, I have a very sweet and supportive partner, and cats that are pretty chill, so when I'm not working I just get to enjoy a lot of personal time.

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

Networking can be fun. I've always dreaded networking, I hated the feeling like I was asking people for things, but really it's so lovely, I've learned a lot and I hope I've been able to share some helpful info as well. You can really get energized from other founders.

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

How do you manage your day, how do you determine what's important, what's a priority for you?

Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family

My son is 20. While I'm not managing the day-to-day there is still managing the worries for your child and your business. The best advice I can give is to be very present when you are with your child because time will zoom by and you can't get it back.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Probably Instagram, I'm a scroller and my love language is sending memes and videos to my friends.

What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?

Sales Navigator, it's a great tool to find leads and connect with your clients.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Just do it! If you feel it's right and you have a great idea, go for it! And if you don't this time, it's OK, forgive yourself, but when the inspiration hits you again, go for it!

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