Hiring is one of the biggest growth points and stress points for small business owners. In this episode of Connections That Matter, Andrew Johnson sits down with Tami Parker from Unicycle Business Consulting to talk about hiring smarter, avoiding costly HR mistakes, and building a team that actually fits your business. From ghosted interviews to contractor misclassification to knowing when it is finally time to hire, this conversation is packed with practical advice for Northern Colorado business owners who want to scale with more confidence.

Episode Highlights
🔹 Tami explains why so many employers and applicants are ghosting each other in today’s hiring market.
🔹 She shares why business owners should hire for fit, coachability, and intangibles before focusing only on technical skills.
🔹 You’ll hear her “unicorn versus stallion” analogy and why waiting for the perfect hire can cause you to miss a great one.
🔹 Tami breaks down why many businesses actually need support staff before they need another top producer.
🔹 The conversation covers contractor vs. employee mistakes and some of the biggest legal and operational pitfalls owners overlook.
🔹 Tami also shares how networking can be one of the best ways to find great candidates and trusted referral partners.

Why You Should Listen
🔹 This episode gives practical hiring and HR advice that small business owners can apply immediately.
🔹 Tami makes complex HR topics easy to understand without making them feel overwhelming.
🔹 You’ll learn how to think more clearly about scaling your team and protecting your business as you grow.
🔹 The conversation is especially valuable for owners who know they need help but are unsure what role to hire first.
🔹 If you have ever felt like hiring, documentation, or employee issues were a “dumpster fire,” this episode will help you feel more prepared.

How to Contact Tami
Website: unicycle.consulting
HR CPR: hrcpr.net

Timestamps
0:00 Why business owners should network when they are hiring.
0:15 Intro to Tami Parker and Unicycle Business Consulting.
1:34 Why both job seekers and employers are getting ghosted.
3:03 What Tami is seeing in the Northern Colorado job market.
4:14 Why small business owners struggle to define the right hire.
5:40 The “unicorn versus stallion” hiring lesson.
5:58 How to write a better job description and job ad.
7:14 Why networking matters when finding strong candidates.
8:43 Why hiring feels scary for growing business owners.
9:17 How to decide what role you actually need next.
11:02 Employee vs. contractor vs. VA: how to think through the options.
13:10 Common contractor mistakes that can create legal problems.
15:04 How Tami chooses the right networking rooms.
16:32 What to do in the middle of an HR crisis.
18:37 How Tami stays grounded during emotionally charged HR situations.
20:03 Why documentation matters so much in HR.
22:43 Tami’s best referral partners and strategic connections.
24:10 How she approaches authentic networking and business growth.
25:45 Why LinkedIn has not been her strongest recruiting platform.
27:16 How to connect with Tami for HR help or a discovery call.