People First to Build Great Businesses E49
In this episode of “Arizona Good Business Radio,” host Thomas Barr introduces Niki Ramirez, the founder of HR Answers.org, highlighting her deep-rooted connection with Local First Arizona. Her passion for fostering positive work environments and supporting small businesses through tailored HR solutions is evident as she discusses common pitfalls business owners face, especially in areas like HR compliance and hiring. Niki’s approach is rooted in education, leadership, and a genuine commitment to helping businesses thrive by understanding and addressing their unique needs.
Thomas and Niki also explore the challenges and opportunities businesses face today, from navigating compliance to advocating for equitable practices. Niki emphasizes the importance of employee-centered approaches, especially in the evolving landscape of remote work, and ends with a powerful message: “Get out there and be good to people.”
HRAnswers.org, an Arizona-based HR Consulting firm provides ambitious business leaders with strategic human resources guidance including regulatory compliance assistance, support related to employment policies and procedures, and highly rated HR, DEI, and leadership training.
They provide a variety of HR services designed to meet small business leaders where they are and address their most pressing HR needs, as well as help build a strong HR foundation to help small businesses maximize their efforts and accmoplish their goals. Their mission is to help small business leader cultivate workplaces that their employees love, which creates a positive ripple in our communities!
Niki Ramirez is the Founder and Principal Consultant at HRAnswers.org, an Arizona-based consulting firm dedicated to providing business leaders with progressive, practical human resources guidance that leaves a big impact.
Connect with Niki on LinkedIn and follow HRAnswers.org on Facebook.
About Arizona Good Business
What is good business? What are local businesses doing to build a better Arizona?
Join Arizona Good Business to hear from local companies who are:
- Centering purpose at the forefront of business
- Creating social well-being for the community
- Prioritizing sustainability and positive environmental practices
- Growing strong company cultures through building authentic teams
- Ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion are involved in all business decisions
Arizona Good Business features local business leaders that are redefining what it means to do good business.
About Your Host
Thomas Barr is the Vice President of Business Development for Local First Arizona, the largest coalition of local businesses in North America. He advocates for a strong local business community that contributes to building vibrancy, equity, and prosperity across the state.
A proud Arizona native and graduate of Arizona State University, Thomas leads the strategic partnerships and business development at Local First through advancing the organization’s statewide business coalition and technical assistance resources deployed to entrepreneurs.
As the Vice President of Business Development, Thomas guides the direction and execution of Local First’s key initiatives and partnerships, as well as the collaboration of 60+ staff implementing work in entrepreneurship programs and access to capital, rural and tribal community development, and local food economic development. He speaks to groups both locally and nationally, presenting the impact of Local First through demonstrating the organization’s effectiveness in building economic opportunity for more than 20 years.
Outside of Local First Arizona, Thomas has contributed his time throughout his career to many causes and organizations including the American Independent Business Alliance, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Equality Arizona, Heritage Square Foundation, Phoenix Legal Action Network, and Young Nonprofit Professionals. He currently serves on the small business advisory council for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, as a member of the multicultural advisory board for ONE Community, and as a member of the board for Tempe Tourism.
Thomas is a 2018 Phoenix Magazine and 2020 Phoenix Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree, alumni of Arizona Leading for Change, and alumni of Valley Leadership Institute’s 40th cohort.
Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
