Blog

Beyond Hiring and Firing: The Hidden Costs of Reactive HR (and How to Avoid Them)

Are you solving today’s challenge with tomorrow’s vision in mind? As leaders, it’s easy to get caught in the urgency of the moment. But sustainable success demands alignment with your long-term strategy—and that means involving your People leader early. At HRBoost, our Dedicated Team Approach ensures your People Partner is right there with you, helping…

Why ICHRA Works for HRBoost — And Why It Might Work for You, Too

ichra logo

Health benefits have long been one of the most complex (and costly) aspects of running a business. But what if you could give your team more flexibility and keep costs under control? That’s exactly what Nicole Martin, CEO of HRBoost, set out to do—and why she embraced the Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) years ago. Today,…

Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies 2025: Stories, Strategies & Leadership Lessons for a Thriving Workplace

The Best & Brightest Companies to Work For celebration in Chicago stands as more than an award ceremony—it’s a living showcase of the people-first practices, creative solutions, and bold leadership shaping the city’s most admired workplaces. As the 21st annual event unfolded, a spotlight shone not only on winners but also on the unique, replicable…

Small But Mighty: How Employers with ≤500 Employees Are Shaping the Future of Talent

💼 Small But Mighty: How Employers with ≤500 Employees Are Shaping the Future of Talent by Nicole Martin CEO, HRBOOST® LLC At a time when workforce transformation is accelerating across industries, small and mid-sized businesses aren’t sitting on the sidelines—they’re quietly recalibrating. The latest LIVE Skill-Based Talent Practices Survey from i4cp, a leading HR research…

What Middle Market Companies Need to Know About HR in 2025

A recap from my talk with the Chicago Distributors and Manufacturing Group by NICOLE MARTIN On June 26, I had the honor of speaking to the Chicago Distributors and Manufacturing Group (CDAM) about the top HR issues facing middle market companies in 2025. It was a powerful conversation — one that reminded me just how much the…

Honoring Juneteenth Through Action: A New Chapter in Community Engagement

This Juneteenth, we’re proud to share a story that started with one Booster’s passion—and sparked a movement across our organization. One of our cherished team members is spending time on the South Side of Chicago, working directly with youth to raise awareness about community issues and inspire the next generation. Her commitment to getting involved…

Generational Agility: The Future of Leadership & Talent

By Nicole Martin, CEO & Founder of HRBOOST LLC On June 3rd, I had the honor and privilege of delivering a keynote at Zonta International’s Cook County Chapter event at Niles Historical Center. Zonta, now over 100 years strong, has long been committed to empowering women and girls, ensuring they step into leadership roles, preventing…

Nicole Marting featured in the Empire Magazine’s list of The Most Dynamic Women Leaders of 2025

  Empire Magazine celebrated extraordinary women redefining leadership, resilience, and innovation. Read the article now.

5 Keys to Building a Positive Workplace Culture

A happy workplace isn’t fluff. It’s a performance driver. And in HR, we see it every day-the direct line between culture and outcomes. For years, “engagement” has been the hot topic, but that word alone doesn’t quite cut it. Work is personal, and people want to feel connected, seen, and supported. I’ve worked with hundreds…

Feng Shui Vision Board Workshop

Register Now ASK YOURSELF Did you manifest most of your 2024 goals? Do you know the vital steps to create a Powerful Vision Board? Have you ever created a Vision Board where most of your dreams & desires have manifested? Are you living the life you imagined? If your answer is NO to most of…