In this episode of The Voices of Business, co-hosts Joshua Maddux and Corey Nathan sit down with Jennifer Abbott and Andrew Aston, the dynamic husband-wife team behind The Human Element Company. Based in Santa Clarita, California, The Human Element Company specializes in staffing and HR consulting, offering people-first solutions with a unique approach to recruitment, culture-building, and compliance. Jennifer, the company's fractional CHRO, brings empathy and strategy to HR, while Andrew, the Founder and Chief People Officer, brings decades of experience in staffing. Together, they share their insights into creating better workplace cultures, the impact of AI on hiring, and how businesses can retain top talent in today's shifting workforce landscape.

What You Will Learn:

• Why culture is the #1 factor for employee retention and satisfaction.
• The impact of AI on resumes and hiring—and how to keep the human element alive.
• Tips for navigating hybrid, remote, and return-to-office (RTO) workplace trends.
• Why handling layoffs with compassion matters more than ever.
• How small businesses can find and retain top talent without wasting hours on interviews.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:01:00] – Jennifer and Andrew share how their business partnership and marriage led to founding The Human Element Company.
• [00:04:30] – The duo's journey from Toronto to Southern California—including a Cheesecake Factory epiphany!
• [00:12:00] – Andrew explains how past employer failures shaped their "pay early" policy and people-first mindset.
• [00:17:00] – Corey and Jennifer dive into what makes workplace culture truly exceptional—and how to feel it the moment you walk in.
• [00:24:00] – Real talk on RTO trends and how hybrid flexibility is becoming the new benchmark for workplace happiness.
• [00:28:00] – The risks of AI-generated resumes—and why face-to-face conversations still matter in hiring.
• [00:37:00] – Joshua shares his experience with outsourcing hiring—and how it saved his time and sanity.
• [01:04:00] – Outplacement programs: how The Human Element Company supports laid-off employees with dignity and direction.

Featured Quotes:

"If you're not paying attention to AI, you're going to lose something." – Andrew Aston

"I adore the people I work with—and that human connection is our greatest strength." – Jennifer Abbott

"Exiting an employee with grace is just as important as hiring the right one." – Jennifer Abbott

Resources Mentioned:

• The Human Element Company: https://humanelementcompany.com
• Jennifer Abbott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-abbott-aston/
• Andrew Aston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewftaston/

Join Us:

If you're a business leader navigating the challenges of hiring, compliance, or company culture, The Human Element Company is your go-to resource. Be sure to subscribe, share, and leave a review of this podcast wherever you listen. Let us know what you think—and if you're a Chamber member, we'd love to feature your business on a future episode!

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