In this episode of the Buying Local Podcast, host Mike Nelson chats with Lisa Boucher, founder of HR Ninja, about her journey from accounting and banking to launching her human resources consulting firm. Lisa discusses her 25 years of HR experience, her martial arts background, and how she helps small businesses navigate compliance, culture, and more.
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn or at lisaboucher.com.
00:00 Welcome & guest introduction – Lisa Boucher
00:19 Lisa’s excitement for being on the show
00:37 How Mike and Lisa met through the chamber
00:51 Adirondack Regional Chamber discussion
01:26 Matt’s cold call and mentorship
02:27 Lisa’s past roles in accounting and banking
02:43 Launch of HR Ninja consulting firm
03:05 Lisa’s martial arts background and school
03:56 Time to earn a taekwondo black belt
04:39 Gender dynamics at Lisa’s martial arts school
05:13 HR Ninja service offerings explained
06:32 Common HR needs for small businesses
07:34 Compliance challenges in New York State
08:55 Typical clients: small businesses under 50 employees
10:05 Culture’s role in HR consulting
11:46 Balancing family feel with HR expectations
13:24 Navigating policy-driven HR requirements
14:22 Paid family leave and retirement plans
20:10 Importance of employee communication
23:31 Efficient communication strategies for small teams
31:40 Lisa’s approach to interviewing for clients
39:23 Handling terminations with compassion
44:13 Vision, mission, and values in HR work
45:47 How to connect with Lisa online & wrap-up
