Senior-led HR consulting for startups and small businesses
TalentForge360 provides fractional HR, recruiting, and compliance services for companies with 10 to 100 employees. Our senior consultants bring 20+ years of Fortune 500 and startup experience to help you hire the right people, stay compliant, and build a culture that scales.
What we do
- Recruiting and talent acquisition — Full-cycle recruiting from sourcing to signed offer. 15% of first-year salary with a 90-day replacement guarantee.
- HR consulting — Strategic HR guidance when you need it. Audits, roadmaps, workforce planning, and HRIS selection.
- Compliance — Audit-ready policies, handbooks, and practices that keep you ahead of federal and state employment law changes.
- Fractional HR — A dedicated senior HR partner on a flexible schedule starting at $1,199 per month.
Who we serve
- 10 to 50 employees — Where HR gets critical. Systems, compliance exposure, and culture gaps compound fast. We are most impactful here.
- 50 to 100 employees — Structure, performance management, and leadership pipelines. The decisions you make now determine how the next 100 hires go.
- 100 to 250 employees — Strategic HR depth before you need a full internal team. Compliance audits, comp structure, and manager training.
Why work with TalentForge360
- Enterprise expertise — 20+ years applying Fortune 500 HR strategy to growing companies.
- Senior-led engagement — Responsibilities and communication cadence are documented in the engagement.
- Startup-native speed — We move at your pace with no lengthy procurement cycles.
- Transparent pricing — Starting prices are public and scope is documented before work begins.
How to get started
- Book a free 30-minute call using our online scheduler.
- We assess your current HR posture, compliance gaps, and hiring pipeline in one conversation.
- You receive a clear, prioritized summary of recommended next steps — whether you work with us or not.
Monthly retainers are month-to-month. If you are still handling HR yourself and want to see what changes at your headcount, read our guide on when to hire your first HR person.
Frequently asked questions
What does an HR consultant do for a small business?
An HR consultant handles the people side of your business so you can focus on growth. That includes building compliant hiring processes, writing or updating your employee handbook, advising on difficult personnel situations, managing compliance with federal and state employment laws, and providing strategic guidance on compensation, culture, and team structure. At TalentForge360, every engagement is senior-led, backed by 20+ years of HR leadership experience.
Do I need HR if I only have 10 employees?
Yes. The most common misconception is that HR only matters at 50 or 100 employees. In reality, federal law changes at 15 employees (Title VII, ADA), and North Carolina has its own requirements that apply from day one. The earlier you build the infrastructure, the less expensive it is to maintain.
What is fractional HR and how is it different from hiring an HR employee?
Fractional HR means you get a senior HR professional working for your company on a part-time or as-needed basis, without the commitment of a full-time hire. Fractional HR starts at $1,199 per month and gives you strategic guidance, compliance oversight, and recruiting support scaled to what you need right now.
How much does HR consulting cost for a small business?
TalentForge360 monthly retainers start at $1,199 per month and scale based on company size and service scope. Recruiting is available at 15% of first-year base salary with a 90-day replacement guarantee. Other arrangements require a custom proposal.
Do you work with companies outside of North Carolina?
Yes. While we are headquartered in Research Triangle Park, NC, we work with companies across the United States. Remote engagements are standard. In-person work is available throughout North Carolina and can be arranged for specific needs in the Southeast and beyond.
How quickly can TalentForge360 get started?
We begin by understanding your situation, priorities, and scope. Book a free 30-minute call and we will give you an honest assessment of where to start and what to prioritize.
Can TalentForge360 handle both recruiting and HR compliance?
Yes. We offer integrated recruiting and compliance services under a single engagement. Many clients start with recruiting for an immediate hiring need, then layer in compliance audits, handbook updates, and ongoing fractional HR support.
Is TalentForge360 better than standard recruiting agencies for growing startups?
Recruiting support can include role design, structured interview processes, compensation guidance, onboarding workflows, and candidate sourcing. Contingency recruiting is available at 15% of first-year base salary with a 90-day replacement guarantee.
TalentForge360 vs in-house HR manager: which costs less?
The right choice depends on your organization’s needs, complexity, and desired level of support. TalentForge360 provides senior-led advisory and operational support without requiring an immediate full-time HR hire.
What are the benefits of no-contract US-based HR services?
Monthly retainer engagements are month-to-month with no long-term commitment. Scope, communication cadence, response expectations, and exclusions are documented in the engagement proposal. TalentForge360 provides U.S.-based HR consulting and operational support.
The experience behind TalentForge360
Senior leaders reflect on working with founder Riyadh Daud during his HR leadership career. Testimonials reflect direct professional experience working with Riyadh Daud prior to TalentForge360.