When you meet Tina Hamilton, founder and CEO of myHR Partner, one thing becomes clear immediately: she’s not your typical HR executive. In fact, as she told Women in Wealth host Regina McCann Hess in a recent episode of the Leading with Culture series, she never set out to run an HR company at all.
“I’m an entrepreneur that started this company—and it became an HR company,” Hamilton said with a laugh. “That was not the intent.”
Today, myHR Partner provides outsourced HR services to small and mid-sized businesses and private foundations in more than 40 states. The firm has built its reputation on doing the work, not just consulting. Whether it’s managing full HR departments or stepping in to support specialized functions like hiring or compliance, myHR Partner’s approach is hands-on, deeply personal, and anchored in culture.
From Entrepreneurial Dream to HR Innovation
Hamilton’s path began in the staffing industry, where she saw firsthand how often employers struggled to find and keep great people. She wanted to build something that felt different, something that focused not only on filling jobs but on truly understanding each company from the inside out.
“The idea was to get to know them so well that it’s as if we work within that company,” she explained.
That commitment to alignment became the foundation for myHR Partner’s growth. Over time, as clients asked for more support beyond hiring, into onboarding, handbooks, policies, and employee relations, the business naturally evolved into a full-service HR outsourcing firm.
“Literally, our clients dictated who we became,” Hamilton said. “Every time we added something, they’d ask for the next thing.”
Listening, Pivoting, and Leading with Culture
When the 2008 market crash hit, Hamilton’s company, then still centered around hiring, faced an existential moment. Hiring slowed dramatically, but clients continued to ask for HR support. Instead of resisting the shift, Hamilton leaned in.
“We heard what the clients wanted,” she said. “If you’re willing to put your ego aside for a minute and really listen, you can build something remarkable.”
That mindset of flexibility and empathy shaped not just the company’s evolution, but its culture. myHR Partner has since earned recognition on Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces list multiple times, reflecting the same employee-centered approach they help clients cultivate.
“We put a lot of focus on creating a great work environment for our people because that’s what we’re doing for our clients,” Hamilton said. “If our place isn’t a great place to work, how can we help others create one?”
Why Great Culture Is Smart Business
For Hamilton, culture isn’t a soft concept. It’s a business strategy. She believes that when companies invest in creating positive, empowering environments, they gain a competitive edge that can’t be replicated through perks or pay alone.
“You’ll waste a lot of resources dealing with problems if you don’t create a great work environment,” she said. “When people have what they need to be successful, happy, and calm, you’re going to win.”
That belief has become core to myHR Partner’s philosophy: build cultures that attract and retain the right people, and operational success will follow.
The Hiring Climate: Uncertainty and Opportunity
In her conversation with Hess, Hamilton also addressed the current hiring landscape, a topic she’s frequently asked about by national outlets like The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
While many companies are slowing down hiring due to economic uncertainty, Hamilton sees this as an opportunity for those who can move strategically.
“If you do need to hire this year, now is the time,” she advised. “There are amazing people out there who normally wouldn’t be available. It’s rare, but this is a great environment for hiring.”
She cautioned, however, that companies shouldn’t hire beyond their means. “You shouldn’t do it if you can’t afford it,” she said. “But if you can, it’s a window worth taking advantage of.”
Leadership with Boundaries and Purpose
As a woman entrepreneur, Hamilton has navigated her share of challenges, but she’s also built her company with clear boundaries and values.
“I’m very careful about the clients I bring on,” she said. “If you’re nasty or mean to my staff, you’re not our client. We won’t manage human resources for people who treat their teams poorly.”
Her approach reflects not just confidence, but conviction: a belief that integrity and kindness are competitive advantages in business.
She also shared that myHR Partner has developed a niche supporting private foundations, organizations often founded by families or individuals with a desire to give back. These clients, she noted, “require a lot more hand-holding” but share her passion for creating meaningful, mission-driven workplaces.
A Vision Beyond Business
As for the future, Hamilton doesn’t see herself slowing down anytime soon. With myHR Partner continuing to grow and expand, she’s also finding fulfillment in mentoring other entrepreneurs and volunteering internationally to support small business owners in developing countries.
“When you’re truly an entrepreneur,” she reflected, “your happiest place is in building something. That’s who I am, and I’ll always find a way to keep building.”
Listen to the Full Conversation
You can listen to the full interview with Tina Hamilton on the Women in Wealth: Leading with Culture podcast, hosted by Regina McCann Hess of Forge Wealth Management
