Happy New Year! Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC is celebrating a milestone in 2024 – 20 years in business!
In honor of the coming milestone, we are re-sharing an interview conducted with Nadine Pfautz, Founder and Owner, in 2019 on the occasion of her 15th business anniversary. We asked her to reflect on the important milestone in 15 questions (we’ll have to think of 5 more questions for the 20th year!). Nadine talks about the the challenges and rewards of running a business, as well as the keys to her success and the advice she received – and the advice that she has for others.
What are your thoughts/emotions about this milestone?
The first word that comes to mind is pride. I’m proud to have reached this important milestone. The second word that comes to mind is thankfulness. I am thankful for the opportunities presented to me, the clients who have put their faith in me, the challenging work where I learn something new on a regular basis, and most importantly the people who have supported me through it all.
I am thankful for the opportunities presented to me, the clients who have put their faith in me, the challenging work where I learn something new on a regular basis, and most importantly the people who have supported me through it all.
What made you start Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC?
In 2004 I was part of a Bank acquisition and my Human Resources Director position became redundant. I saw this as an opportunity – an opportunity to start an HR consulting business. My initial goal was to get 3 clients for whom I would work 1 day a week each in order to give me time to work on projects/assignments for other companies and organizations and to give me time with my Mom.
What do you like most about your job?
I like to learn and with each client I have learned or applied something new and/or different – whether it is a new industry, a new set of regulations, applicability of standard HR policies and practices to unique situations, and so on. Additionally, I could be saying the same thing as the internal HR person but, as an outside HR consultant I seem to have more credibility. And, to be honest, I really like that fact that my clients ask for my opinion or guidance and then it is up to them to follow through or implement. When you are an internal HR person you worry more when the leadership makes a choice on whether to follow through or implement what you have told them.
What lessons can you share?
If you are thinking about being a consultant or business owner in the future, begin now to develop relationships. It is easy to get busy doing your job but you have to make the time to meet others. It is critically important to build relationships – not pass out your business card and expect others to call you. Volunteer, take on a leadership role, become involved. To be honest, many HR professionals attempt to start consulting businesses when their positions are eliminated or the function is outsourced. But, most have not built relationships outside of their own organizations prior to moving into consulting and as a result cannot build their business beyond a few initial clients.
Another huge lesson is that you have to give it time. Building relationships takes time. You have to stay top of mind – and in touch. Referrals may not happen overnight or even within a year. Perfect example – a colleague I met through the Chamber of Commerce. For years we made it a point to have lunch together. Fifteen years later she made a referral that took me to a nonprofit in the biotech field. I worked one day a week for 3 years assisting this small company as they grew from 20 to 45 employees. Now, this client has referred me to another biotech nonprofit that will present me with new challenges and new opportunities.
And, be clear about what you do. It’s one thing to have an elevator pitch but another thing when someone asks “exactly what do you do and how do you do it?”
Another huge lesson is that you have to give it time. Building relationships takes time. You have to stay top of mind – and in touch. Referrals may not happen overnight or even within a year.
Who would you like to thank?
I have always said that 95 percent of my clients have come through the relationships I built through my involvement with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. My very first client came while I was still employed full-time and was as a result of one person I knew from the Chamber making a referral to a small business who needed some HR guidance. While today most of my business comes through my current clients referring me to their networks, most of these are a result of relationships built through the Chamber.
Additionally, my participation in the South Shore Women’s Business Network’s Roundtable Program is one reason I remain in business today. This program provided 7-8 of us an opportunity to meet monthly and serve as advisors to each other. One and one-half years into my business I was worried about money and concerned that I couldn’t continue doing this full-time. I told my roundtable colleagues and they provided me with some great insight and motivation. Two pieces of advice stood out – 1) give yourself another 3 months and 2) go back to the clients you’ve done work for and ask for referrals. I did both and the rest is history.
How do you stay current professionally?
Being certified as a Senior HR Professional through both the Society for Human Resources and the Human Resources Certification Institute means that I have no choice but to stay current professionally. Both organizations require me to recertify every 3 years. This is done by attending programs that offer certification credits, doing new and different work, membership in professional HR organizations, or teaching. In the course of my career I have done all of these. To stay current I regularly receive updates from SHRM and legal firms specializing in employment law. I annually attend the Murphy, Hesse, Toomey & Lehane Employment Law Update and take advantage of other seminars or conferences in my field. I also do a lot of online research.
Did you encounter any roadblocks to starting your own business?
I don’t think there were any roadblocks but there were some things I needed to figure out. First, being on your own means you spend a lot of time figuring out how to be in business, how to handle the IT issues that crop up, how to handle being lonely with no one stopping by your office to chat, how to estimate taxes, and how to get healthcare coverage. All those things you never had to think about as an employee.
What were some of your early challenges?
I was so busy working in the business that I wasn’t able to balance the need to work on the business. That meant that one assignment would end with little to nothing new in the pipeline. Made for some anxious days and nights. Determining the name of my business and what my logo should look like was huge. It’s important to note that what I started out with originally morphed into what I am today. C.H.A.R.T. Consulting became Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC at the 10-year anniversary mark. And then, coming up with text for my website and developing an online presence (minimal as it was). Also a big issue was trying to figure out how much to charge for my consulting services. It’s not all about the time I spend, it is the expertise I bring to the table that should make the difference on what I charge – a lesson learned.
What was easier than you expected?
Definitely not easier than expected. Part of the problem with small businesses is that they don’t know what they don’t know. So, I had to make the case for why they needed my assistance. One tool I created early on was a Human Resources Assessment Survey. Used to this day (with some modifications due to regulation/law adds and changes), once created I was able to talk with potential clients more clearly about what were potential compliance or procedural issues as it relates to HR. This is of great assistance as I work with clients to define the scope of work.
Did the benefits of starting your own business meet your expectations?
Oh yes. Early on my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers and I was able to work part-time in my business while a couple days a week spending time with her while my sister worked full time. This was a special time for me and I am so thankful to have had the flexibility that having my own business offered. Now, thanks to having a colleague who has HR expertise and whom I trust to represent me and my business well, I am able again to have a great balance between work and life outside of work. I have regular clients for whom I am the acting Director of HR on a part-time consulting basis, and others for whom I am on retainer, and still others who have me working projects. It is a great balance.
What would you do differently if you could go back and do it again?
If I could do it differently… I’d early on seek guidance from legal counsel on how to set up the business, guidance from an IT person on setting up my various devices so they communicate and I can work seamlessly; and guidance from an accounting professional on how to best track income/expenses and pay taxes on the income.
What was some of the best advice you received?
To be honest, I’m not comfortable in group situations where I don’t know people. Putting myself out there is not easy. But, I read somewhere that in those situations you should act as if you are the host. Welcome people, introduce yourself, ask why they are there, etc. Other than that, I refer back to the advice given by members of the SSWBN Roundtable – give it 3 more months and ask former clients for referrals. When I did that, I got additional work from those 2 clients AND they referred me.
What are your keys to success?
I stay current and relevant. I express and show confidence in my knowledge and expertise. I believe in myself. I have a great network of friends, business colleagues, and resources available to me.
Has/how has your business plan changed over the years?
My business plan hasn’t changed. My initial goal was to have 3 regular clients and work 3 days a week. That has come true. Although I do have 4 regular clients right now, I can provide them with the services they need in 3 days. That leaves me with 2 days a week to work on other projects and assignments. Granted my business structure and name changed after 10 years in business but that needed to happen to better reflect what I do and who I do it with.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their own business?
Talk to people, pull together a group of advisors, elicit advice from others who own their own business and ask them some of these same questions.
When asked “what’s next?”, Nadine shared a story about a river rafting trip she took in 2003 or 2004. Interestingly, it was during this trip that she realized she is a risk taker. While not a risky adventure for all, for Nadine, who does not know how to swim and is afraid of putting her face in the water, this was huge. She goes on to say that being in business at any age and in any given year is a risk – a challenge – and that she looks forward to it. “I look forward to being challenged, continuing to develop my knowledge in the field of HR, helping my current and future clients by taking on new projects/assignments, and working both in and on my business for many years to come.”
“I look forward to being challenged, continuing to develop my knowledge in the field of HR, helping my current and future clients by taking on new projects/assignments, and working both in and on my business for many years to come.”
Congratulations on this important milestone Nadine! We look forward to seeing what comes next.
Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC specializes in HR and Business Consulting, offering guidance to small and medium sized businesses and non-profits in Eastern Massachusetts. From hiring to termination, training and development to employee communication, and everything in between, Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC is a valuable resource to your organization’s management, and/or HR group. Sometimes HR Consulting leads to other business consulting needs, like accounting, payroll, management, marketing, or other business applications. Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC is able to provide expertise in these areas as well, through our network of experts in these fields.
Pfautz Consulting Group, LLC – experts at Human Resources & Business consulting. 20 years of strategy for your growing business or non-profit. http://www.pfautzconsulting.com
With 30+ years of experience in HR and business, Ms. Pfautz brings a refreshing, thoughtful, and transparent approach to executives, staff, and line employees alike. Ms. Pfautz holds a Master’s degree in Training and Development and is a frequent trainer and adjunct faculty member. She maintains her professional designations as both a Human Resources Certification Institute Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and a Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).
Submitted by Deborah M. McCormick