Get C-Level HR Expertise Without the C-Suite Price Tag
By Mickie Murrell, MBA | Founder & Chief HR Strategist, Ask Mickie
Here's what I've learned after 20+ years in HR: the companies that struggle most aren't the ones with bad people. They're the ones that outgrew their systems and didn't realize it until the cracks started showing.
The manager who was 'handling HR' on the side is suddenly underwater. Compliance issues you didn't know existed are now keeping you up at night. Your best people are leaving and you're not entirely sure why.
You know you need real HR leadership—but a six-figure executive salary doesn't make sense for where you are right now.
That's exactly why fractional HR leadership exists.
What Exactly Is Fractional HR?
Fractional HR means getting experienced C-level HR expertise for a fraction of the cost. I work with you and your team as your strategic HR partner—providing leadership, solving complex challenges, and building systems—without the overhead of a full-time executive hire.
Think of it like having a Chief Human Resources Officer on speed dial. Someone who's seen it all, solved it all, and can parachute in when you need strategic guidance—then step back when you don't.
It's perfect for small and mid-sized businesses at any stage of growth that need senior HR guidance with the flexibility of fractional leadership. Whether you're a startup building your first HR processes, an established company navigating growth challenges, or a mid-sized business preparing to scale, fractional HR gives you access to strategic expertise exactly when and how you need it.
The Real Problem You're Facing
Every company in transition faces the same dilemma: they need strategic HR leadership to navigate the change successfully, but they're not ready (or don't want) a full-time C-suite hire.
Maybe you're scaling up and suddenly dealing with multi-state compliance headaches. Maybe you're scaling down and facing the legal landmines of workforce reductions. Maybe you're preparing your company for sale and need your people operations to look as buttoned-up as your financials. Or maybe you just inherited a mess from someone who was "handling HR" as a side gig.
The stakes are just as high whether you have 15 employees or 1,500. Getting the people side wrong can cost you everything.
5 Reasons Fractional HR Makes Business Sense
1. Executive Expertise at a Fraction of the Cost
A full-time CHRO commands $150,000 to $250,000+ annually, plus benefits, bonuses, and equity. Fractional HR gives you that same strategic firepower—decades of experience, Fortune 500 best practices, crisis management skills—at a fraction of that investment. Monthly retainers can start as low as $299, scaling up based on your needs.
2. Flexibility That Matches Your Business Rhythm
Business needs fluctuate. Maybe you need intensive support during a merger, then lighter touch for maintenance. Maybe you need someone three days a week during rapid growth, then a few hours monthly once systems are running. Fractional HR flexes with you instead of being a fixed cost whether you need it or not.
3. Immediate Impact on Your Toughest Challenges
There's no six-month ramp-up. No learning curve. An experienced fractional HR leader walks in already knowing how to handle your EEOC complaint, restructure your compensation strategy, or build the leadership development program your managers desperately need. You're buying solutions, not potential.
4. Diverse Perspective from Multiple Industries
A full-time HR person sees one company's problems. A fractional HR leader sees patterns across dozens. We bring best practices from manufacturing floors, tech startups, healthcare systems, and retail operations. That cross-pollination of ideas often sparks innovations you'd never discover in a silo.
5. Measurable ROI You Can Track
Good fractional HR isn't just about "soft skills." It's about hard numbers: turnover reduction, avoided lawsuits, faster time-to-productivity for new hires, decreased overtime from better scheduling, reduced recruiting costs. I've documented $424K+ in ROI for clients. When your CFO asks what they're getting for the investment, you should have a concrete answer.
Is Fractional HR Right for Your Business?
Fractional HR tends to be the perfect fit for:
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Companies with 20-500 employees who've outgrown DIY HR but aren't ready for a full executive team
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Family-owned and founder-led businesses navigating professionalization without losing their culture
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Companies in transition—scaling up, scaling down, preparing for sale, post-acquisition integration
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Organizations facing a specific challenge—high turnover, compliance concerns, leadership gaps, crisis situations
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Businesses that want strategic HR but have been burned by "HR people" who created bureaucracy without results
Why I Do This Work
I spent 20+ years in Fortune 500 HR—Amazon, Crocs, Prysmian Group—managing workforces of up to 4,000 employees across multi-state, multi-shift operations. I've launched fulfillment centers, managed P&L responsibility, served on boards, and navigated every HR crisis imaginable.
But here's what sets me apart: I've been in your shoes. I came up through operations, not traditional HR. I understand that your production schedule can't stop for a "people issue." I know that every dollar spent on HR needs to show a return. I speak the language of business owners because I've sat at the same table, facing the same pressures.
I don't just solve HR problems. I solve business problems through strategic people solutions.
The results speak for themselves: reducing turnover from 70% to 20% in under a year, documenting $424K+ in ROI, turning HR from a cost center into a competitive advantage.
Ready to Transform Your HR Challenges Into Business Advantages?
Transitions are messy. Growth brings growing pains. Downsizing brings legal landmines and morale challenges. Whatever direction you're heading, the stakes are high.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Let's have a conversation about what fractional HR could look like for your business. No pressure, no hard sell—just an honest assessment of whether I can help.
📍 Meet Me at The Business Show Miami
Miami Beach Convention Center | April 29th & 30th, 2026
Booth B810
I'd love to meet you in person and talk through your specific HR challenges. Stop by the booth for a quick conversation—no appointment needed.
Investment Options
STARTER — $297/month
For: Small teams (10-50 employees) needing expert guidance on demand
What's Included:
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Monthly strategy call
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Email support with 24-hour response
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Compliance questions answered by someone who's actually handled EEOC charges
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Policy and handbook reviews
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HR templates and resources
Show Bonus: Your first month includes 5 hours — enough to assess your HR foundation, identify your biggest risks, and build an action plan.
GROWTH — $597/month
For: Growing companies (50-150 employees) needing a real HR partner
What's Included:
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Weekly check-ins
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Manager coaching and development
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Employee relations guidance
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Policy development
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Recruiting and onboarding support
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Priority response (same business day)
Show Bonus: Your first month includes 12 hours — a deep-dive assessment covering compliance gaps, manager effectiveness, and turnover drivers. You'll walk away with a 90-day action plan.
STRATEGIC — $997/month
For: Companies in transition (100-300 employees) needing embedded expertise
What's Included:
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Multiple weekly touchpoints
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Leadership team participation
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Same-day response for urgent issues
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Strategic HR planning and execution
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Crisis management and EEOC support
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Full compliance and policy overhauls
Show Bonus: Your first month includes 20 hours — comprehensive transformation kickoff including compliance audit, leadership assessment, and strategic roadmap.
ENTERPRISE — Custom Pricing
For: Organizations needing fractional HR director-level support (200+ employees, multi-state operations, complex transitions like ESOP or M&A)
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Dedicated weekly hours (20+ hours/week)
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On-site visits as needed
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Full strategic HR leadership
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Board and executive team participation
Starting at $9,500/month — This is the level of engagement where I've delivered $145K-$424K in documented value for clients. Let's talk about your specific needs.
Terms
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Month-to-month — no long-term contracts required
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Cancel anytime with 30 days notice
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Show bonus hours must be used within first 30 days
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Additional hours beyond your plan: $115/hour
Show pricing exclusive to Business Show attendees who sign up during the event.
Schedule your free consultation:
📞 (937) 397-3428
When you're ready to turn your biggest people challenges into your greatest business advantages—whatever direction you're heading—let's talk.
About the Author: Mickie Murrell, MBA, is a strategic fractional HR leader with 20+ years of Fortune 500 experience. She specializes in helping family-owned and founder-led businesses navigate transitions, build HR infrastructure, and turn people challenges into competitive advantages. Learn more at AskMickie.Info.