Three Years of KDZ HR: A Love Letter to Building Something on Your Own Terms

This week marks three years since I officially launched KDZ HR Consulting. What started as a leap of faith has become one of the most challenging, rewarding, and transformative experiences of my life. When I think back to where I was then, and who I was then, I realize how much this business has helped me return to myself.

I’ve always wanted to do my own thing. Even as a kid, I played “business owner.” My poor brother was always being roped into playing along. One day we were running a travel agency, the next we were concert promoters, or opening a school, but no matter what, I was in charge.

I didn’t know what HR was back then, of course, but I knew I liked being in the middle of how people work together. Years later, I attended an HR workshop taught by a consultant, and I asked her, “How do I get to do what you do?” She told me, “You just need experience.” And I took that seriously. For the next decade, I worked across different companies, industries, and team sizes so I could see it all.

Eventually, the universe gave me a (not-so-gentle) push to go out on my own. My business was born out of a mix of fear, frustration, and maybe a little bit of spite. I was tired of seeing HR misunderstood, undervalued, and treated like a checkbox instead of a catalyst for real change. I wanted to work with small businesses who actually wanted help- who cared about people as much as profit.

In those first few weeks, I was electric. I built a website in 24 hours, made a logo, and was convinced I could figure it all out. But once the adrenaline wore off, the fear crept in. What was I doing? Where would clients come from? How would I make this work?

I quickly learned that what I had done in corporate HR wasn’t a one-to-one match for small business HR. I had to unlearn a lot. I had to figure out what “HR” looked like when it wasn’t buried under bureaucracy. I had to make it my own.

And that freedom, while incredible, was also terrifying. There’s no handbook for being your own boss. I had to rewire how I thought about time, success, and even rest. For so long, my worth was tied to structure and approval. In corporate life, I had made myself small. I didn’t want to stand out or rock the boat. HR can be a lonely place. You're squeezed between the executives and the employees, trying to serve both, and it’s easy to lose yourself in that middle ground.

At one point, I remember thinking, “I guess this is it. This is my life. Maybe things will be more exciting in my next one.” It’s wild to look back on that now, because I truly can’t imagine living that way again.

Owning my business has brought me back to life in ways I didn’t know I needed. It’s reminded me that I don’t have to ask permission to be myself. It’s taught me that boundaries aren’t walls, they’re clarity. That I can take a break without guilt, and that inspiration often shows up in the quiet moments.

It’s also taught me that community is everything. Being surrounded by other small business owners has been the absolute best part of this journey. When you work for yourself, you might think you’re on your own, but in reality, you’re more connected than ever. The people I’ve met, collaborated with, and leaned on have become my lifeline. Networking, which once terrified me, turned out not to be about selling myself at all- it’s about connection (duh!). Once I realized that, it became fun.

There have been proud moments, too. Speaking on stages, something I always dreamed of but never quite believed I’d do, has been surreal. So has finding my voice and truly owning my offers, my pricing, and my worth. I’m not immune to fear or self-doubt; I still have days when I wake up wondering what’s next or if I’m doing enough (actually had a day like that yesterday!). But I trust myself now. I know I’ll figure it out, because I’ve done it before.

As I step into year three, I want it to feel expansive. I want to reach more businesses, help more leaders, and bring even more of myself into my work. Becoming certified as a CliftonStrengths coach this year has opened a whole new chapter for me- it’s the most aligned, energizing work I’ve done yet, and I can’t wait to integrate it more deeply into what I do.

To my clients, my community, my friends, and everyone who has supported KDZ HR along the way- thank you. You’ve made this journey more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. Three years in, and I still can’t believe this is my life. Not the “maybe next life” version- the real one. The one I built on my own terms. ❤️