We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nadian Zak a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nadian , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today The first dollar your firm earns is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.
Our first client came to us through UpWork—back when we were still testing the waters of entrepreneurship while holding onto our corporate jobs. We saw it as a way to dip our toes into the gig economy, so we built our profiles and put ourselves out there.
Almost immediately, we started getting interest. One of the first opportunities was a fintech company looking to double the size of their team. Kacie threw her hat in the ring, not expecting much—especially since the COO was interviewing 25 other candidates. But against all odds, she landed the contract! She started at $45/hour, and what began as a small retainer quickly grew into a $30K/month partnership.
At the same time, I was contacted by a Nashville-based logistics firm looking for someone to build out their HR infrastructure. That client not only became a foundational part of our business but also introduced us to several other companies—creating the momentum that turned our side hustle into a full-fledged business.
That was our “aha” moment. We realized we weren’t just freelancing—we were filling a major gap in the market. That’s when we decided to take the leap, quit our corporate jobs, and go all in on building Zak Human Solutions. Looking back, that first dollar earned wasn’t just revenue—it was validation that we were onto something big.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
At Zak Human Solutions, we believe that people are the heart of every successful business. Our mission is to help companies build strong, scalable, and people-first infrastructures so they can grow with confidence.
Both Kacie and I started our careers in corporate HR and talent acquisition, working for fast-growing startups and established enterprises. But over time, we saw a gap—small and mid-sized businesses were struggling to find HR solutions that were strategic, scalable, and tailored to their unique needs. HR often became an afterthought or a compliance burden rather than a true driver of business success. That’s where we saw an opportunity to do things differently.
We started Zak Human Solutions to provide high-impact HR and talent strategies without the need for in-house teams. Our services range from fractional HR leadership to payroll administration, talent acquisition, compliance, and performance management. We work with startups, growing companies, and businesses in transition—helping them navigate everything from hiring their first employee to building full-scale people operations.
What sets us apart is our hands-on, strategic approach. We’re not just consultants who provide recommendations and walk away—we embed ourselves in our clients’ businesses, working as an extension of their team. We bring the expertise of an in-house HR team but with the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of an outsourced solution. Our clients appreciate that we blend cutting-edge technology with a deeply personal, people-first mindset.
One of the things we’re most proud of is the impact we’ve made on our clients’ businesses. We’ve helped companies scale seamlessly, navigate complex HR challenges, and create workplaces where employees truly thrive. Whether it’s supporting a founder through their first hire, streamlining payroll for a multi-state organization, or building an inclusive and engaging company culture, we take pride in making HR a growth driver, not just a back-office function.
For anyone considering working with us, know this: we care deeply about the success of your people and your business. We’re here to help you build HR systems that don’t just work for today but also support your long-term vision. If you’re looking for a true HR partner that combines strategy, compliance, recruiting and culture-building, Zak Human Solutions is here to help.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Our reputation has been built through a combination of delivering exceptional results, fostering strong client relationships, and consistently showing up in the right spaces.
The biggest driver of our growth has been word-of-mouth referrals from our existing clients. When companies work with us, they quickly see the value of having a strategic, people-first HR partner—so much so that they become our strongest advocates. Their referrals have introduced us to new businesses, allowing us to expand our reach organically.
Beyond referrals, we’ve been intentional about putting ourselves out there. Whether it’s speaking engagements, panel discussions, networking events, or sharing insights online, we take every opportunity to showcase our expertise and connect with business leaders who need HR support. We believe in being generous with our knowledge, offering practical advice and strategic guidance that helps businesses navigate their people challenges. This approach has positioned us as trusted thought leaders in the HR space.
At the core of it all, our reputation has been built on trust, expertise, and results. We don’t just offer HR solutions—we become true partners in our clients’ success, and that’s what keeps them coming back and spreading the word.
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
I first met Kacie when I was hiring a recruiter for a fast-growing behavioral healthcare company. By the time she came into the process, we were already at the final stages with another candidate and had extended an offer. But something about Kacie stood out—I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was someone I wanted on my team.
Instead of letting the opportunity pass, I called her and explained that while the recruiter role had been filled, there was another opening for an HR Business Partner. She was upfront with me—she wasn’t an expert in HR at the time, but she was confident in her ability to learn. That mindset immediately resonated with me. Her willingness to pivot, adapt, and take on new challenges has been a defining trait throughout our journey together—something that has translated seamlessly into how we now run our company.
As luck would have it, we ended up needing another recruiter shortly after, and Kacie officially joined the team. Within a year, I promoted her to a director role, and from that point on, she became my go-to person when it came to scaling teams. I brought her with me to other companies, and we built a strong foundation of trust, collaboration, and shared vision.
That same synergy is what led us to take the leap into entrepreneurship together. We knew we worked well as a team, and we saw a massive gap in the market for strategic, people-first HR solutions. The rest is history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zakhumansolutions.com
- Instagram: @zakhumansolutions
- Facebook: @zakhumansolutions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zakconsultinggroup
- Twitter: @nadianzak
