We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emily Abe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emily below.

Alright, Emily thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

Honestly, when I think about what my parents did right, the thing that stands out is how naturally they folded me into their world of hard work and entrepreneurship without ever making it feel forced or formal. It was just part of life.
My mom owned her own catering company, so a lot of my childhood memories involve standing behind buffet tables, helping her serve what felt like endless trays of delicious smelling chicken masala. But those moments were more than just helping out they were my first look at what it really takes to run a business. I watched her deal with customers, solve problems on the fly, and put so much pride and creativity into her work. It taught me early on that being successful isn’t about big, flashy moments it’s about showing up consistently, even when you’re tired, even when you’re elbow‑deep in chicken masala.

I also truly appreciate the fact that I was taught to make my own babysitting flyers and walk them around the neighborhood mailboxes in order to save up for a car one day. What I didn’t realize then was how much those small things shaped me. They taught me to take initiative, be resourceful, and not wait around for opportunities to magically appear. They gave me the confidence to bet on myself and that mindset has followed me into my career, especially in HR and eventually in starting my own consulting business. I solve problems creatively because of those early experiences. I see possibilities differently. And I show up for people the way my parents showed up for their clients.
Looking back, I truly appreciate that I wasn’t just “given” things in life and I was shown how good it feels to earn them instead.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am the Founder of Thistle HR, but my start in HR was incredibly humble. I began my career as a receptionist while in college, helping with administrative tasks and completing I-9 forms for new hires. At the time, I didn’t quite realize I was stepping into a field that would shape my entire life. What I did notice very quickly was how much impact those early touchpoints had on people. Even something as simple as onboarding paperwork represented the beginning of someone’s livelihood, stability, and opportunity.

Over time, I gained experience across compliance, employee relations, performance management, and strategic planning. HR is not just policies and regulations. It is about people. It is about creating environments where individuals can succeed and businesses can grow sustainably.

That belief is what led me to build Thistle HR.

I started this business because I saw a gap for small and growing companies. Many do not need a full internal HR department, but they absolutely need expert guidance. They need someone steady and practical (yet often creative) who can translate complex regulations into clear, actionable steps. They need a partner who understands that behind every business decision is a human impact.

As a business owner and someone who deeply values family life and balance, I understand the weight leaders carry. Building something of your own is meaningful, but it can also feel all consuming. I have built my business around the idea that strong systems create freedom. Clear expectations reduce stress. When HR is structured and proactive, leaders can step away at the end of the day and truly be present with their families.

I provide custom HR consulting for YOUR business that is compliant and will build specialized employee handbooks and policies, onboarding frameworks, performance management systems, workplace investigations, leadership coaching, and long-term HR strategy for you. I also design scalable HR resources that help businesses grow confidently without becoming buried in complexity.

The problems I solve are often the ones that keep business owners awake at night. How to handle a sensitive employee situation. How to stay compliant with ever changing laws. How to build accountability without losing culture. How to grow without chaos. I step in to bring clarity and structure, and to replace fear with confidence.

What sets my work apart is the balance between empathy and compliance. Compliance matters. Structure matters. Accountability matters. But so does dignity. I believe strong policies and compassionate leadership are not opposites. In fact, they reinforce each other. The healthiest workplaces are both clear and kind.

I am most proud of helping small businesses flourish. When a company builds the right people foundation, it impacts employees, families, and entire communities. Watching leaders shift from reactive and uncertain to proactive and confident is incredibly rewarding. Seeing workplaces become stronger, healthier, and more sustainable is why I do this work.

If there is one thing I want potential clients and partners to know, it is that my work is personal. I started at the front desk completing I 9 forms. I understand growth from the ground up. I care deeply about helping businesses build workplaces that are compliant, thoughtful, and built to last. When organizations thrive, lives change. Being part of that ripple effect is both a privilege and a responsibility I take seriously.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I’ve had to unlearn is how to be “less professional.” I this a lot of us grew up being coached to stand tall, speak with absolute confidence, never show doubt, and fake it till I made it… even when I knew I was probably wrong. That kind of grit served me in some ways, but over time I realized it also boxed me in. It kept me from showing the real me.
Thankfully, the world has shifted. Authenticity is no longer something you hide it’s something people crave and celebrate.

When I’m with clients now, I show up as myself: the real human behind the HR. I don’t pretend to know everything, and I certainly don’t expect them to either. In fact, one of the things clients tell me again and again is how refreshing it is to talk to someone who doesn’t make them feel like they have to perform or pretend. I remind them all the time: It’s okay not to know. That’s literally why you called.

We’re in this together. We’ll figure it out together. My job isn’t to judge, it’s to help, support, and walk with them through the messy parts they may not feel comfortable admitting anywhere else.
Unlearning perfection and embracing authenticity has made me better at what I do and honestly, it’s made my work a lot more meaningful, too.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Two books that have really shaped my thinking are The Diary of a CEO and The Traveler’s Gift.

The Diary of a CEO resonates with me because of the honesty around entrepreneurship. It doesn’t sugarcoat the self-doubt, discipline, and internal growth that leadership requires. It has reinforced my belief that building a strong business starts with building yourself. As a founder, that reminder matters. Culture, accountability, and long-term success all stem from the habits and mindset of the leader.

The Traveler’s Gift impacted me on a more personal level. Its focus on personal responsibility and the power of decisions really stayed with me. Your choices shape your trajectory. Persistence, ownership, and a willingness to learn can completely change your path.

Both of these books align with how I run my business today. Leadership starts internally. Accountability is a choice. Growth is intentional. Those principles guide how I work with my clients and how I continue to grow as both a business owner and a person.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thistlehr.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thistlehr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thistlehr/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thistlehrllc/