Episode: Three Years into HR Consulting with Ambra Parisi

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill catches up with Ambra Parisi, three years after Ambra launched her HR consultancy business following a 15-year corporate HR career.

Ambra shares her honest reflections on moving from an HR Director role into consultancy after redundancy in 2022. Rather than being driven purely by financial goals, Ambra explains that her decision came from a desire to return to the heart of HR: adding real value to businesses and supporting leaders with practical, people-focused solutions.

She talks openly about the first year in business being a testing period, where she had to build confidence, develop commercial skills, understand her market, and learn how to position her services beyond her technical HR expertise.

Ambra now works with small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the healthcare, dentistry and retail sectors. Her consultancy offers bespoke HR support, including compliance, operational HR, people development and practical guidance for business owners who need senior HR expertise without adding to their permanent headcount.

A key theme of the conversation is clarity. Ambra explains how she has shaped her 2026 strategy around three clear business pillars.

Sarah and Ambra also discuss the importance of word-of-mouth referrals, listening to client feedback, adapting your services, and staying committed during the early stages of consultancy when the path can feel uncertain.

This episode is a valuable listen for HR professionals considering the leap into consulting, as well as existing consultants who are refining their niche, services and business model.

Ambra’s journey shows that the first year of consultancy is often about testing, learning and building business confidence.

Technical HR expertise is important, but consultants also need commercial awareness, positioning, marketing and relationship-building skills.

Clarity around your services and ideal client base makes it easier to attract the right opportunities.

Word-of-mouth referrals remain one of the most powerful routes to new business.

A strong LinkedIn profile can help consultants showcase their credibility, services and client outcomes.

Ambra Parisi is an HR consultant supporting small and medium-sized businesses with practical, bespoke HR services. With a 15-year background in corporate HR, she now works with clients across sectors including healthcare, dentistry and retail, helping business owners strengthen compliance, develop their people and build more effective teams.

You can connect with Ambra Parisi on LinkedIn.

This episode was sparked by me taking time out this week to reflect on my business and my life and asking a simple question: What’s genuinely moving the needle… and what’s just making everything feel heavier than it needs to be?

If your HR consultancy feels busy but not profitable, it’s often not because you’re doing too little- it’s because you’re doing too much, in too many places, with too much complexity.

In this episode, we talk about how to keep your consultancy simple, tech-smart, and focused on the work that actually drives profit and I’m joined by Claire Snow, who has mastered the art of creating focus in her business.

What you’ll learn

• Why HR consultants often overcomplicate (and what it’s really costing you)

• How to simplify your offer so clients can quickly understand what you do and say yes

• How to use technology to be efficient without turning your business into an IT project

• What to delegate (and why delegation is a profit strategy, not a luxury)

• How to protect time for the activities that create revenue in the next 30–90 days

Key talking points

Overcomplication looks like: too many services, too many tools, too much content without purpose, and too much admin. A simple rule: if it doesn’t help you sell, deliver, or get paid, it’s probably not urgent.

Keep your offer clear: one core problem, one primary delivery method, one clear next step. Minimum effective tech stack: choose the simplest tools that help you capture/track, deliver consistently, and get paid.

Delegate non-core work: stop trying to be the marketer, designer, bookkeeper, IT desk, and admin assistant.

CEO focus: business development, client delivery, and small consistent business improvement.

Claire's LinkedIn Profile:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-snow/

Our website:

www.leapintoconsulting.com

Economic uncertainty doesn’t remove opportunity for HR consultants, it reshapes it. In this episode, we explore why businesses need more focused, outcome-driven HR support during challenging times, and how consultants who position themselves clearly, speak commercially, and solve real business problems can stand out and grow. As organisations face increasing pressure around performance, retention, and leadership, the demand for practical, experienced HR support becomes even more critical.

We are also delighted to be joined by Lena Mistry, who shares her personal story of making the leap into consulting. As MD of People First HR, she offers an honest insight into what it really takes to step away from corporate life, build confidence, and create a consultancy that works in today’s market. This episode will leave you with a fresh perspective, renewed confidence, and a clear reminder that clarity and action are what move you forward.

Lena's details - please connect with her!

https://people-first-hr.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-mistry/

Communities and why they are so important: With Claire Cathcart, Founder of Elevate HR In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill talks with Claire Cathcart, founder of Elevate HR, to explore why community is becoming one of the most powerful support systems for HR professionals today.

After leaving a toxic corporate environment in 2023, Claire took a leap many HR professionals dream about but rarely make. What started as conversations with her growing LinkedIn audience quickly evolved into a thriving community designed to support in-house HR professionals who often feel isolated in their roles. Many HR professionals work as the only HR person in their organisation, carrying complex employee relations issues without a sounding board.

Elevate HR was created to change that. But what surprised Claire most wasn't the popularity of the workshops or the resources. It was the power of the community itself. Members now come together to share real challenges, ask questions without judgement, and support each other through the realities of working in HR. And the impact has been significant.

One member even secured two promotions and a £15,000 pay rise after building confidence through the network.

In this conversation, Sarah and Claire explore:

• Why so many HR professionals feel professionally isolated

• How safe peer communities accelerate confidence and career growth

• The real value of having a place where there are “no stupid questions”

• Why HR professionals need spaces where they can talk honestly about ER challenges

• The mindset shift that happens when professionals stop learning alone Claire also shares how Elevate HR works, including its membership structure, regular ER discussion sessions, expert workshops and the community spaces where members support each other daily. If you're an HR professional looking for support, connection and practical learning, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that you don't have to navigate the profession alone.

About Claire Cathcart Claire is the founder of Elevate HR, a professional community created to support in-house HR professionals through learning, collaboration and real-world HR discussions. Her mission is simple: help HR professionals feel confident, connected and supported in their careers.

Key Topics Covered Community and career confidence Supporting standalone HR professionals Creating safe spaces for HR conversations Real stories of career progression Building professional networks that actually help.

Please connect with Claire : Claire Cathcart | LinkedIn

https://www.elevatehub.co.uk/

Connect with Sarah : Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD | LinkedIn

All our services can be found here :

www.leapintoconsulting.com

3 Quick Wins to Get Client Conversations This Week (Plus FAQs on Proposals and Getting Clients)

Feeling busy but not seeing any client conversations? In this practical 20 - 25 minute episode, Sarah shares three quick wins you can implement this week to create momentum, plus a bonus tactic that builds trust quickly. You will also hear answers to common Academy FAQs on niching, pricing, proposals (including a simple three-option proposal structure), follow-up, and getting clients without a huge network.

• Website: https://www.leapintoconsulting.com

• Capsule CRM: https://capsulecrm.com/invite/?friend=dXMxIzIwMzg4MQ

• Festival tickets: https://www.leapintoconsulting.com/the-hr-consultancy-festival-2026

• One month of free access to The HR Consultancy Academy: https://leap-into-consulting.mykajabi.com/offers/DEANnq4M/checkout

• How to use the 10/10 List to generate warm introductions (without feeling salesy)

• A simple LinkedIn formula: One Problem, One Post, One Offer

• The Two-Call Week approach to keep business development consistent

• Why tracking leads and follow-ups in Capsule CRM prevents opportunities from slipping

• A bonus strategy: "Pick My Brain" calls to build trust and uncover paid work

• How to structure a three-option proposal so clients can choose the right level of support

• Do I need a niche yet?

• How do I price when I feel unsure?

• When should I send a proposal?

• What should a simple proposal include?

• How do I create a three-option proposal?

  What if they ask for my day rate?

• How do I get clients without a big network?

• Should I offer referral incentives?

• How many follow-ups is too many?

• What if I am scared of outreach?

The 5 Cs for Consistent Growth How HR Consultants Can Build Pipeline Without Burnout

Running a consultancy can feel like a balancing act. You are delivering great work, supporting clients, managing the business, and trying to keep momentum going all at the same time. It is rewarding, but it can also feel inconsistent and exhausting. In this episode,

Sarah shares an honest reflection on revisiting her own business fundamentals at the start of the year and why small readjustments and tracking the right success factors can dramatically improve consistency and control. She then applies the 5 Cs model Confidence, Clarity, Credibility, Collaboration and Courage through a growth lens, giving HR consultants a practical operating system they can start using straight away.

This is not theory. It is grounded, real-world guidance based on what Sarah sees working every day with established consultants.

In this episode, you will learn:

* Why most consultants do not have a lead problem, they have a follow-up problem

* How to use confident, professional follow-up without feeling awkward

* Why focusing on one clear lead offer per quarter improves pipeline and referrals

* What credibility assets help clients feel safe saying yes

* How to build referral routes rather than relying on random networking

* A simple weekly rhythm to protect pipeline even when delivery is busy

* Why consistency comes from small habits, not big overhauls About The HR Consultancy Academy

Sarah also shares how you can now access one month of guest access to The HR Consultancy Academy, allowing you to experience the community and support before deciding whether to join. The Academy is not a passive membership. Consultants who get the most value are those who actively engage by:

* Taking part in challenges

* Attending Live CPD monthly days

* Joining monthly networking sessions

* Asking questions and staying involved in the community That is where momentum builds and businesses begin to feel more consistent and sustainable.

Find out more here: 👉

https://www.leapintoconsulting.com/hr-consultancy-academy

In this episode, Sarah Hamilton-Gill FCIPD dives deep into the real challenges new HR consultants face in their first year. Drawing on decades of experience, client stories, and insights from her bestselling book, “Leap into Consulting,” Sarah unpacks the most common stumbling blocks - like client acquisition struggles, confidence wobbles, and the temptation to focus on “busy work” instead of what actually grows your business.

To find out more about our services :

www.leapintoconsulting.com