In November of 2019, Dawn and Bruce Hatcher’s business was growing rapidly and as they approached the 50-employee mark, they knew the time was right to consult with an HR expert in order to stay compliant and remain aligned with best people practices. After a referral from a partner and a couple of meetings, they quickly determined that Ann Close of CloseHR Connections was the right choice to review their HR practices, revise their handbook, and, as Dawn describes it, “put all the parts in the right places.”

The handbook and initial assessment was completed in early 2020, and just after it was rolled out company-wide, the COVID-19 pandemic presented even more HR challenges. “We were on the phone with Ann at 7 am, then off to run the business,” says Bruce. “Her level of expertise was phenomenal. Her firmness and the way she presented herself to our staff in several situations was impressive. She helped us groom a path, develop a sound plan. Having that third party guidance, especially during COVID, was extremely helpful.”

At Ann’s suggestion, the Hatchers hired an in-house human resources manager, a decision that has proven to be invaluable. The couple agrees that from a business owner’s perspective, having HR keeps them from getting involved in things they don’t need to be so close to. “Ann got us started with what we really needed and helped us transition to what we have in place now,” continues Bruce. “Anytime you can make an investment to protect your business, it pays off on your bottom line.”