Deya Booker, an HR expert and founder of Bloom & Beacon HR, reveals how small businesses can harness effective people strategies to drive growth. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong team culture, even remotely, and explains the critical differences between hiring contractors and employees. Deya shares how AI can help streamline HR tasks while preserving the human touch and offers essential tips for hiring friends and family. With actionable insights, she encourages leaders to cultivate employee growth through regular check-ins and to lead with purpose.
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insights INSIGHT
People Are The Business Heartbeat
People are the heartbeat of any organization regardless of size and determine business outcomes.
Your culture begins with you and shapes whether the business thrives or falters.
insights INSIGHT
Solopreneur Habits Become Team Blueprints
Solopreneur habits form the blueprint for future people systems and team culture.
How you communicate and set boundaries now becomes your future team's operating norms.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Classify Hires Correctly First
Determine whether a role should be a contractor or an employee before hiring to avoid costly misclassification.
Use control over schedule and tasks as the test: high control equals employee, project-based independence equals contractor.
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People are the most important—and the most difficult—part of any business. In this episode, HR expert and founder Deya Booker breaks down how to turn your people strategy into your biggest competitive advantage. Drawing from her experience in Fortune 500 companies, Deya shares the powerful systems and leadership tools that big corporations use, but makes them accessible and actionable for solopreneurs and small businesses. This episode is a masterclass in building a strong foundation for growth, showing you how to hire smarter, build an incredible culture (even remotely!), and lead your team with purpose, not pressure. If you want to scale without the burnout, this is a must-listen.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
Why even solopreneurs need a "people system" and how the habits you build now will become the blueprint for your future team.
The critical (and costly) difference between a contractor and an employee, and how to know which one is right for your business.
How to leverage AI for the "heavy lifting" of HR (like job descriptions) so you can focus on the irreplaceable "heart work" of leading people.
The non-negotiable rules for hiring friends and family that will protect your business and your relationships.
Actionable strategies for building a vibrant, connected, and fun remote team culture that goes beyond awkward Zoom happy hours.
How to create a growth path for your team members that increases retention and empowers them to take ownership of their careers.
Why the best time to hire is long before you hit the wall of burnout, and the key signs that it's time to bring on help.
📝 About Deya Booker
Deya Booker is the founder of Bloom & Beacon HR, a consulting and coaching firm dedicated to helping purpose-driven small businesses thrive. After years as a human resources executive for global Fortune 500 companies, she saw a massive gap: small businesses were struggling without the HR support and leadership tools that large corporations take for granted. Deya took the leap into entrepreneurship to bridge that gap, bringing her expertise to entrepreneurs and helping them turn chaos into clarity. Her unique, energetic, and fun approach demystifies HR and empowers leaders to build strong teams, smart systems, and sustainable growth.
🎯 Deya’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
"Lead with purpose and not pressure."
📢 Memorable Quotes
“Business gets better when people do. You have this wonderful idea to launch a business, but you need people… People are the heartbeat.” – Deya Booker
“AI can certainly do some of that heavy lifting, but it's not doing the heart work. Remember, your people are the heart of your organization.” – Deya Booker
“If you can't talk about performance with those friends and family working in your business, don't mix it at your Sunday family dinner.” – Deya Booker
Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business