In this inspiring episode of *Founders Future*, host Joseph Fitzgerald interviews Laura Tolhoek, founder of Essential HR, a company dedicated to providing fractional HR support to small businesses. Laura shares her journey from working in a large retail organization to founding Essential HR during her second maternity leave, motivated by a desire to work part-time while leveraging her HR expertise. 

Laura reflects on the challenges of starting her business, including the initial struggles with client acquisition and learning the fundamentals of marketing, sales, and pricing as an entrepreneur. With the guidance of a business coach, Laura turned Essential HR into a thriving company that supports small businesses with HR solutions tailored to their unique needs. 

The conversation delves into the evolution of Essential HR, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, transitioning to a remote-first model, and expanding her team to include specialists in payroll, health and safety, and organizational design. Laura highlights the importance of creating a supportive company culture and fostering meaningful connections with clients through in-person networking and relationship building. 

Laura also shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of finding a supportive network, taking actionable steps, and pursuing opportunities that align with personal passions. Looking ahead, she discusses her vision for Essential HR’s growth and her continued passion for business development and helping clients succeed. 

This episode offers valuable insights for founders, HR professionals, and small business owners looking to build impactful, people-focused organizations.