Featured Member: Humming Bee

When Cher McCarthur founded Humming Bee in January 2020, she didn’t just start another HR consulting firm—she created a business dedicated to reducing risks, increasing efficiencies and helping organizations thrive by taking a holistic approach to people management. Now, five years into her journey, Cher’s passion for HR continues to fuel her mission, as she and her team work to create more supportive, productive workplaces for clients across various industries.

From opportunity to entrepreneurship

Humming Bee’s story began when Cher was approached by a friend in early 2020. The friend had a business associate looking for HR consulting help, and Cher, who had years of experience in the HR field, saw an opportunity.

"I started the company in January 2020," she says. "I registered as a business, took the contract and it grew from there."

Cher’s path to entrepreneurship wasn't necessarily part of the plan, but as the business began to gain momentum, it quickly became clear that she was on the right track.

"The right team found me when I needed them, and we now have an amazing team of six – each with our own specializations."

With a focus on offering tailored HR solutions, Humming Bee attracted professionals with diverse skill sets. Today, Humming Bee offers a comprehensive range of services, ensuring that organizations are supported across various HR and safety functions.

“We have an incredible ex-lawyer who supports contracts and policy writing, a brilliant HR specialist who works on compensation and job classification projects and supports the implementation of HRIS systems,” says Cher. “We also have a contract safety person who supports our clients in setting up safety programs and educates on common safety risks.”

A holistic approach to HR

Humming Bee focuses not just on filling positions or addressing personnel challenges as they arise, but on partnering with businesses to navigate the entire employee lifecycle in a way that minimizes risks and promotes growth.

"Being a fractional HR business isn’t unique. I think what makes us unique is how we partner with businesses to reduce their overall risks and create efficiencies that help them achieve predictable successes,” says Cher. “We’ll deal with your people issues and help you restructure and organize your workloads so you can focus on your business.”

This approach goes beyond the transactional nature of traditional HR services, as Humming Bee works closely with businesses to ensure that strategies are in place that will drive long-term success. Cher notes how Humming Bee welcomes a holistic approach.

"We don’t want to only be their hiring and firing partner. We want to make sure we are also reducing risks in the middle stages as well."

Growth, strategy and education

Looking to the future, Cher envisions Humming Bee continuing to grow and expand its impact.

"We continue to grow and be a part of our clients’ strategic planning," she says, emphasizing the integral role that people play in any successful business strategy. She also sees a growing need for flexible HR solutions, such as bringing in consultants rather than full-time employees.

"Sometimes we recommend bringing in consultants instead of employees. We understand the financial side of business as much as the people side," Cher says.

Humming Bee’s future is also likely to include more educational initiatives, as Cher is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed.

"I want to help other businesses and be a part of what the Chamber is all about – supporting entrepreneurs and growing my own skills along the way," she says. This passion for supporting others aligns with her company’s core values and her involvement in the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

As an active member of the Calgary Chamber, Cher initially joined for business connections but quickly found it to be a source of personal and professional growth. While some of Humming Bee’s business has come through word-of-mouth referrals, Cher has enjoyed attending Chamber events and celebrating achievements of the local business community.

"Interestingly, I have now come to identify a neat opportunity to help other small business owners through offering blogs on the Chamber site and conducting an educational session in April," she says.

As Humming Bee sets its sights on the years ahead, it plans to expand both its range of services and the team supporting its clients. Through ongoing growth and collaboration, the company strives to create a lasting, positive impact on businesses and the wider community.

For more information about Humming Bee, visit: hummingbee.ca.