A workspace with a laptop on a wooden desk near a window, a potted green plant, a smartphone, and a black water bottle. Sunlight is streaming in, and a building is visible outside.

The HR Foundation You Need.

The Flexibility You Want.

Modern HR Support for Small Businesses:

Build it from scratch or clean up what’s already in motion

Schedule a Free Consultation

What I Do:

Running a business is hard. Managing HR shouldn't be.

Small businesses change quickly, and HR often gets pulled along for the ride. I come in wherever you are and help you get where you’re going — whether that means cleaning up your current HR processes, tightening compliance, improving hiring and onboarding, documenting workflows, or coaching your team through real-time people challenges.

I partner with the people you already have, train new talent when needed, and build the systems and structure that make everything run more smoothly. Together, we create an HR function that supports your goals instead of reacting to them.

From scaling, to stability, to stronger performance systems, I help you turn the HR you have into something clear, confident, and ready for growth.

Let’s Work Together!

  • For companies that want to know exactly where their HR stands — and what to do next.
    I assess the full HR ecosystem: compliance, hiring, onboarding, culture, communication, performance, and the day-to-day practices that shape the employee experience. You receive a quantified readiness score and a prioritized plan tailored to your size, stage, and goals.

    This is for you if:

    • You want numbers and clarity on your HR risks, gaps, and strengths

    • You’ve grown or changed and aren’t sure what your HR function actually needs now

    • You want a prioritized plan instead of guessing what to fix first

    After this, you’ll have:

    • A quantified HR readiness score showing exactly where you stand

    • Clear scoring on risks and gaps, organized by priority and impact

    • A data-backed roadmap that tells you what to fix first and why

  • For companies whose HR person is drowning in tasks — or whose HR function needs to level up before hiring the next team member.
    I come in to unblock your HR department, clean up processes, and build systems that save time. This includes automation, documentation, better workflows, and infrastructure that makes training future HR hires easier and more strategic.

    This is for you if:

    • Your HR person is stuck in the weeds and can’t get ahead

    • You’re preparing to hire your first/next HR employee

    • You want your HR processes to stop living in someone’s head

    • You need cleaner systems before you can grow

    After this, you’ll have:

    • Clean, documented systems that save time and reduce chaos

    • An HR function that runs smoothly instead of reactively

    • A solid foundation ready for growth or your next HR hire

  • For companies where HR is handled by someone who “fell into it” — or someone who needs real-world guidance to do the job well.
    I train your HR person (or whoever currently handles HR) on the fundamentals that matter: compliance, decision-making, hiring, communication, documentation, and how to run HR in a practical, consistent way.

    This is for you if:

    • HR is happening, but without structure or confidence

    • You want someone in-house to reliably handle HR decisions

    • You’ve outgrown DIY HR but aren’t ready for a full HR team

    • You want fewer surprises and more consistency in how HR is done

    After this, you’ll have:

    • Someone in-house who can confidently handle day-to-day HR

    • Consistent decision-making and fewer fires

    • Templates, tools, and clear processes they can rely on

  • For companies that want managers who communicate clearly, follow through, and know how to handle people issues before they escalate.
    I provide both structured manager training and 1:1 coaching for managers who need real-time support. This includes giving direction, setting expectations, running meaningful 1:1s, documenting issues, and navigating hard conversations without creating drama.

    This is for you if:

    • Your managers are new to leadership or never had formal training

    • You want support for a manager who’s learning on the fly in a tricky situation

    • You need clearer expectations and more follow-through across teams

    After this, you’ll have:

    • Managers who communicate clearly and address issues early

    • Fewer ongoing performance problems

    • A more accountable, healthier team culture

  • For companies that need short-term HR support or expert guidance during tricky situations.
    I provide time-bound, as-needed advising for HR questions, templates, performance concerns, hiring decisions, policies, and difficult employee conversations.

    This is for you if:

    • You need help navigating an employee issue

    • You want a second opinion on policies or decisions

    • You need templates or documentation fast

    • You want expert guidance without a project or retainer

    After this, you’ll have:

    • Immediate clarity on a specific HR situation

    • A compliant, practical path forward

    • Support and documentation you can use right away

Project-Based Packages

(For companies that want clarity, structure, or a full reset)

These are scoped, outcome-driven projects with a defined start and end. Perfect when your HR function needs clarity, cleanup, or stronger infrastructure.

Project-based services include:

  • HR Audit

  • HR Department Supercharge

  • Train Your HR Person (set curriculum + applied training)

  • Manager Training Programs (cohorts or custom workshops)

Best for companies who:

  • Want a measurable result or transformation

  • Need structure, documentation, or systems built

  • Prefer predictable cost and clear deliverables

Hourly Consulting

(For companies who need expert help in real time)

Ideal for urgent issues or situations where you want strategy, guidance, or templates — but not a long-term project.

Hourly support covers:

  • On-Call HR Advisor work (performance issues, policy questions, terminations, complex employee situations)

  • 1:1 Manager Coaching for leaders who need real-time support in sticky or evolving situations

  • Advising on isolated HR decisions

  • Template/document creation

Best for companies who:

  • Need immediate support handling a current situation

  • Don’t want to commit to a project yet

  • Want expert advice without ongoing cost

Monthly Retainer

(For companies who want strategic HR leadership without hiring an HR team)

A retainer gives you flexible, ongoing access to HR support after a project or audit. This is not a long-term “fractional HR” arrangement — it’s lightweight but reliable guidance.

Retainers typically include:

  • Monthly or bi-weekly check-ins

  • Advisory calls for new issues or decisions

  • Ongoing coaching for managers or HR staff

  • Review of documentation or policies

  • Light systems support

Best for companies who:

  • Have completed an Audit or Supercharge and want stability

  • Want access to advice, not hours

  • Need steady, strategic HR guidance as they grow.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Because no two businesses are the same, every engagement starts with a free consultation.
We’ll talk through your goals, your current HR setup, and the best-fit structure — whether that’s a flat-rate project, hourly support, or something more hands-on.

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About Me:

Katherine Holmgren

Executive MBA, SHRM-SCP

Hi, I’m Katherine Holmgren. HR strategist, consultant, and founder of Holmgren Consulting.

I started this business because I genuinely love small businesses and the communities they create. I believe they deserve HR that is strategic, approachable, and truly supportive of the work they are trying to do.

My philosophy is grounded in clarity and communication. When HR is set up thoughtfully, it becomes a steady foundation your business can grow on. I take a relationship-first approach, and I do this work without judgment. Every business is a mix of good intentions and real constraints, and my job is to take your HR from wherever it is today and help you build something stable, aligned, and useful.

I provide practical HR support for small and mid-sized businesses that want more structure and confidence in their people operations. My services include HR audits with clear scoring, project-based HR support, training for the person who manages HR, manager development, and as-needed advising for sensitive situations. Everything I build is designed to be easy to understand, simple to use, and supportive of your long-term goals.

I’d love to help you build an HR function that makes everything else in your business a little easier.

Contact Me

Location
Kansas City, MO

(or virtual!)

Modern conference room with large windows, wooden table, pink chairs, pendant lights, and a TV on the wall.

Looking for

Something Custom?


I also offer custom consulting for:

  • Leadership coaching

  • Special HR compliance audits

  • Fractional HR Leadership

Just ask during your consultation — if I can help, I will.

Holmgren Consulting provides custom HR consulting for small and mid-sized businesses across the U.S.
We offer HR department setup, fractional HR support, and scalable systems designed to help companies grow with clarity and confidence — without the cost of a full-time HR executive.
The HR foundation you need. The flexibility you want.