Don’t DIY Your HR: What You Need to Know Before You Hire with Kira La Forgia

If you’re running a micro agency or online business, one topic makes you want to stick your fingers in your ears and hum loudly: employee classification. 

But today? We’re going there. 

Because the “just hire a bunch of contractors and figure it out later” model? It’s getting business owners into serious legal and financial hot water.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kira La Forgia of Paradigm Consulting—an expert in team structure, compliance, and HR for small business owners.

We’re digging into what it really takes to grow a team the right way from hiring legally to leading with integrity. You’ll hear the hard truths about misclassifying workers (yes, even if it was unintentional) and what stepping into real leadership looks like—even if you’re still figuring it out.

Whether you’re gearing up to hire your first employee or just want to ensure you’re not one misstep away from a five-figure fine, this is the reality check you didn’t know you needed.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The difference between a business owner and a leader—and why the shift matters.
• Contractor vs. employee: What micro agency owners are getting wrong.
• The legal and financial risks of misclassifying team members.
• How U.S. labor laws are changing and being enforced more strictly.
• Common misconceptions about contractor “freedom” and flexibility.
• Real-world examples of what makes someone an employee under the law.
• Why relying on retainer contractors can put your business at risk.
• What to expect (and budget for) when transitioning to employees.
• Hidden HR responsibilities no one warns you about.
• Why building a compliant, employee-based team can be more rewarding than you think

Kira’s Bio:

With over a decade of experience in People Operations in the corporate world, Kira is no stranger to the sensitive issues involved in the human side of running a business. There’s a lot to learn from hiring, onboarding, training, and managing the performance of over 500 employees for a multimillion-dollar business. The good news is, she learned it all so you don’t have to.

Kira founded Paradigm to bridge the gap between corporate HR policies and the modern needs of entrepreneurs. Because Google might have almost all the answers, but it doesn’t have what your unique business needs.

Links for this episode:

• Paradigm Consulting