Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lisa I. Perez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Lisa I., thanks for joining us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry? Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Uprooting my family to move from Orlando to Oklahoma felt like a huge risk. At the time, I was a single-mother in my mid-twenties and knew I needed to keep climbing the corporate ladder to provide the life I wanted for my children. So, after graduating college, I accepted the promotion that would move me away from my support system and halfway across the country. I’ll never forget packing our things or the flight there. I was so nervous about making such a huge move on my own with my kids in tow. As risky as it felt at times, I knew it was a step forward for us and an opportunity I had to take. After nineteen months in Oklahoma, I received another promotion, so we packed up again and continued our growth journey as a family. It was tough at times because throughout my career we moved a lot. Every promotion came with a relocation and every relocation, a risk and sacrifice. Today, I’m proud of my courage to rise to the occasion and face every risk and challenge along the way. I am even more proud that my children who experience those changes developed a resilience of their own.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Gladly! I’m a Brooklyn, New York native with a rich cultural background. My mom’s Puerto Rican and my father’s African American born in Brooklyn and South Carolina respectively. Although they are no longer with me in this life, their love and guidance continue to inspire me on this journey. I’m a passionate lover and collector of art, a devoted wife and mom to five amazing children, and a proud grandma to four equally incredible grandchildren. I also embrace my inner “Craft Geek”!

With over 30 years of experience in the Human Resources field, I’ve had the privilege of building a rewarding career that led to the founding of my full-service HR consulting firm, HBL Resources, Inc., on August 13, 2011. Since then, we’ve expanded to include a robust training and development division under the brand “The Complete Manager Makeover.” This division offers a book, a comprehensive membership platform, and a supportive community, all grounded in a proprietary curriculum. Additionally, I am the founder of National Management Training Week, which is celebrated annually during the third full week of August.

I’m passionate about helping others grow and succeed, and I’m excited to continue making a positive impact in the field of HR and the broader world of people management.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

At any stage in business, nothing is more powerful than good old-fashioned word-of-mouth marketing. Today, we can amplify that through online testimonials and Google reviews, which provide a powerful way to showcase satisfied clients. My advice is simple: ensure every client leaves satisfied, then actively request reviews from all the clients you’ve served.

Next, focus on networking! People do business with individuals or companies they know, like, and trust. So, get out there and make connections. It’s important to remember that while some people need to know you first, others may need to trust you before they like you. Either way, the key is being known. Make sure you’re well-known within your local community and your industry.

I achieve this by volunteering with my local Chamber of Commerce, facilitating SCORE trainings to support small businesses, and speaking at industry events as often as possible. Whatever approach you take, it’s crucial to get in front of the people you serve, listen to their needs, and understand where they are and how what you do can help them. That’s been the foundation of my success in growing my client base.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My journey has been built on the foundation of resilience! At just 17, I became a mother to my first-born daughter and was determined not to become another teen pregnancy statistic. I juggled working full-time as a receptionist at a Manhattan law firm while struggling to obtain my GED. Even at that young age, I knew I wanted to create a better future for myself and my daughter. I fought to give my family a life that not only matched but exceeded the one my parents provided for me and my siblings.

It took resourcefulness, initiative, grit, determination, and the unwavering belief that I could dream big and do the work to make those dreams a reality. That resilience has fueled me throughout my life as I strive to be a woman my children can look up to. I have forged ahead with F.A.I.T.H.—a framework I’ve shared in my keynote titled “The Art of Resilience.” F.A.I.T.H. stands for: First things First, Awareness & Action, Integrity, Transformation, and How. These principles were the foundation that propelled me forward then and remain integral parts of my personal and professional success to this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hblresources.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaiperezsphr/
• Other: (954) 329-0425 lisa@hblresources.com

Image Credits

Jacqueline Marie Photography