Building Teams the Right Way: HR Through a Human Lens

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, host Jet Bunditwong sits down with Sara Nicholson, Human Resource Advisor with the San Diego SBDC, for an in-depth conversation on what every entrepreneur needs to understand about HR—before hiring their first employee. Sara shares her unconventional path from accounting and hospitality into human resources, and explains why HR is not the “evil department,” but rather the oil that keeps a business engine running smoothly. Together, they break down common HR myths, California compliance realities, and the foundational steps business owners must take to protect themselves and their teams. This episode covers: The essential HR foundations every business needs before hiring Independent contractors vs. employees and why misclassification is risky How to attract and retain quality employees on a limited budget Why company culture matters more than perks or pay alone Behavioral interviewing techniques that reveal how candidates really think The role AI can—and cannot—play in modern HR practices Whether you are hiring your first employee, scaling from 5 to 50, or simply want to reduce legal and emotional stress as a business owner, this conversation offers practical, real-world guidance grounded in experience and empathy. 🎧 A must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to grow responsibly, confidently, and human-first. https://sdivsbdc.org/ personalsideofbusiness.com