Thriving in Fractional HR: Grow & Stay in Demand as a Fractional HR Pro

Fractional HR gives you freedom and flexibility— but what about long-term stability?

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Building a successful fractional HR business is one thing—scaling and sustaining it is another. As more HR professionals shift into fractional roles, the challenge becomes setting the right pricing, managing multiple clients, and ensuring long-term growth.

We took a deep dive into what it takes to thrive as a fractional HR leader, featuring expert insights from Tracie Sponenberg, Fractional CPO, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader and ​Alex Seiler, Fractional CPO, Speaker, and Startup Advisor.

If you're looking to grow and future-proof your fractional HR practice, check out the recording here.

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Key Insights and Takeaways

This session went beyond “how to get started” in fractional HR and focused on how to sustain and grow a successful fractional practice. Panelists Tracie Sponenberg and Alex Seiler shared personal stories, strategies, and hard-earned lessons on client acquisition, managing multiple revenue streams, avoiding burnout, and staying relevant in today’s HR space.

The conversation emphasized that visibility, community, and adaptability are key. From pricing models and building referral networks to using AI tools, panelists offered practical insights for fractional HR pros who want to build long-term careers — whether fractional is their forever path or just for now.

Action Points for HR Pros

• Diversify your income streams: Many successful fractional HR leaders combine client work with advisory, brand partnerships, speaking, and paid content.
• Set pricing that reflects your value: Whether you charge retainers or per project, be clear about what’s included — and revisit scope if it changes.
• Account for Business Expenses such as subscriptions for AI tools, business / personal website, traveling for work and other business expenses.
• Boundaries matter: Set clear expectations with clients and don’t hesitate to revisit them when scope creep starts.
• Network on your terms: Not all marketing has to be “loud” — you don’t need to have a strict LinkedIn content calendar. You can find success by showing up authentically on LinkedIn or in small 1:1 conversations.
• Stay sharp with continuous learning: Whether through newsletters, podcasts, or reading the news, carve out time to keep your knowledge on HR, tech, and AI current so you can offer the best value to your clients.

Don’t go it alone: Community is everything. Peer support helps navigate uncertainty, growth, and navigate imposter syndrome which can be very prevalent for solo practitioners.

The Panelists

Tracie Sponenberg | Fractional CPO, Speaker, and HR Thought Leader

Tracie is the former Chief People Officer at The Granite Group, now Advisor and Fractional HR Executive with 25 years of executive HR leadership experience focused on aligning people strategy with business strategy in industries with deskless employees.

She is passionate about transforming organizations from paper-first to people-first, driving employee experience, and exploring the link between wellbeing and organizational health. She is also a keynote speaker on technology, leadership, branding, and all things HR.

Alex Seiler | Fractional CPO, Speaker, and Startup Advisor

Global People leader, entrepreneur, start up advisor, mental health and DEI champion. Curious, mindful, analytical and data-driven.

Alex’s specific expertise centers on creating, transforming, and building out systems that foster an equitable, innovative, and inclusive workplace culture. His superpowers are learning new and different businesses quickly; process simplification; leveraging technology and reducing friction in enterprise-wide systems, enabling people teams + leaders to spend their time on the most value-creating work.

Download the Session Takeaways Here

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