In 2009 Kate Holroyd and her business partner founded BeGolden a company that makes leather stationery and leather accessories. For several years it was just the two of them, so they didn’t feel the need for an HR person.
“We started our business ten years ago and didn’t actually employ anyone until we got to about year five. We were running a business from home, just the two of us and therefore were just managing each other and it was fine.”
However, as the business expanded, and the company took on more people managing HR functions became more challenging.
“We were trying to muddle through ourselves. Everyone who works here apart from the directors is part-time and the hours vary quite a bit. We are very flexible with staff, but it was getting to the stage where it was becoming difficult to manage. How do we deal with holidays and all kinds of formal HR functionalities that can be managed easily when there are only two or three of you?”
There was no single event or HR issue that prompted Kate and BeGolden to reach out to Gap HR. It was more a question of the company getting to a point where they felt it best to formalise matters. That way should any issues arise in the future they would have the peace of mind knowing correct procedures were being followed.
Some business owners may think they can go it alone but failing to hire or work with an HR professional can be extremely risky. With HR on tap, Kate is confident that BeGolden has the expertise it needs when it needs it.
“So we now have HR expertise available to us without having to go to the vast expense of employing someone in the business. It is a cost-effective way of making sure you are compliant and that there is friendly, practical advice on how to do things properly in terms of human resources.
Although you are not employing an HR professional you still have access to that resource and expertise. HR advice is always there if we need it.”
Kate Holroyd
BeGolden