Kirstin Purcell
For more than 11 years I've worked at the intersection of recruitment, business development, and relationship building, helping companies find the right people, helping leaders build stronger teams, and creating connections that turn into real business opportunities.
Recruiting is my expertise. People are my superpower.
Whether I'm helping a company make a critical hire, advising a leader on their people strategy, developing a partnership, or connecting two people who need to know each other, my work has always centered on one thing. The right people change everything.
The exact questions I use to spot the right hire. Drop your email and I'll send the guide straight to your inbox.
A few things up front
I learned by spending more than a decade recruiting, selling, interviewing, building teams, developing relationships, and watching what makes people, and businesses, thrive. Recruiting taught me how to identify talent. Business development taught me how to build trust. And experience taught me that the right people can change everything. Here's what I believe.
Your people aren't just part of your business, they drive it. The right team, relationships, and leadership can accelerate everything you're trying to build.
Whether it's a new hire, a business partner, or the person who opens the next door, the right relationship can change the trajectory of a business. I focus on fit, alignment, and long term impact, not just filling a seat.
Great hiring and great business development have something in common: neither should start when you're desperate. Strong companies continually build relationships, talent pipelines, and connections so opportunities are already there when they need them.
How I help
I help businesses solve the people challenges that get in the way of growth, from finding the right talent to strengthening leaders, building relationships, and creating a people strategy that actually supports the business. Depending on what you need, I can step in as a recruiter, strategist, advisor, connector, or facilitator.
The process
Whether you're hiring, building your team, developing leaders, or creating new business opportunities, growth starts with people. I help you get intentional about who you need, how you find them, and how you build relationships that move your business forward.
Find and build relationships with the right people, whether that means candidates, future hires, clients, partners, or strategic connections.
Put the right people in the right roles and create the hiring processes, leadership practices, and team structure they need to succeed.
Turn strong people and strong relationships into business growth through better leadership, retention, partnerships, and business development.
Reviews
"Thanks to Kirstin's efforts, we've seen a noticeable improvement in both the quality and retention of our frontline staff. Her dedication, professionalism, and keen eye for talent have been invaluable to our agency."
Lauren P.
Executive Leader
"I hired Kirstin as a recruiting manager for our growing organization. I was very fortunate we found someone of her caliber, knowledgeable, experienced at seeking out great talent, and skillful at building strong relationships with candidates and clients."
Andre R.
Experienced Executive
"I had an excellent experience working with Handshake in Heels to find the right Office Manager for our team. Kirstin was professional, proactive, and truly took the time to listen to our specific needs and understand what would make someone the right fit for our organization. The turnaround was quick, communication was excellent, and we were very pleased with the overall process and results. I highly recommend Handshake in Heels!"
Katie D.
Business Owner
"Working with Kirstin was a great experience! Her expertise and direct, get-it-done approach were refreshing. In talent acquisition, delays can mean losing a great hire. She shared practical techniques and even no-cost tips that helped our team strengthen our recruiting approach and better understand the communities we recruit from. I appreciated her insights and look forward to working with her again!"
Nicole D.
CHRO
FAQ
The questions I hear most, grouped by what you're trying to solve.
Working together
Yes. My background goes beyond recruiting. I've spent more than a decade building relationships, developing business, creating partnerships, and connecting the right people to the right opportunities. I help businesses strengthen their approach to networking, client development, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and relationship based growth. If you know you need to build a stronger pipeline or open more doors but aren't sure where to start, I can help you create a more intentional strategy around the people and relationships that can move your business forward.
Hiring and recruiting support
In the room
For more than a decade, I've helped businesses find the right people, build stronger teams, and make better hiring decisions.
But my work has never been just about filling roles.
My real strength is understanding people. How to connect with them, earn trust, recognize potential, and build relationships that create opportunities. That perspective has shaped how I recruit, advise leaders, develop business, build partnerships, and help teams grow.
I bring that experience directly into your business, helping you make smarter people decisions, strengthen the relationships around you, and build the team and connections you need to grow.
Features
When the region needs a straight answer about hiring, leadership, or building a team that lasts, they call Kirstin. Here is where her expertise has been featured.
Bringing world class leadership to our region.
Kirstin co wrote the FXBG Neighbors announcement of Live2Lead FXBG, the leadership event she brought to the Fredericksburg Convention Center with leadership development expert Mike McClanahan. The article quotes her as a voice shaping how the region develops its people.
Read the articleThe expert voice on hiring strategy.
The Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast invited Kirstin on as its guest expert to talk recruiting. She names the myth that trips up most companies and explains what it actually takes to reach people who were never looking for a job. Listen to it once and you will never post and pray again.
Watch the episodeNamed among the women entrepreneurs of the region.
FXBG Neighbors magazine spotlighted Kirstin in Power Players, a feature on the women building businesses and investing in the Fredericksburg area. She was recognized for the teams she helps companies build and the people she helps hire.
Read the featureWant Kirstin in your room, on your stage, or in front of your team?
Philanthropy and Giving Back
Contact
Depending on what your business needs, I can support you through:
Complete the contact form or reach out directly. Tell me a little about your business, what you're currently experiencing, and what you'd like to accomplish.
