For 11+ years I've helped growing teams attract, hire, and keep the people who actually move the business forward. No agencies, no hand-offs. Just me, working alongside you.
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 it by placing hundreds of people, watching what stuck, fixing what didn't, and turning it into a system. Here's what I believe about hiring.
Your team is your greatest asset. When you build it with intention, everything else gets easier.
A warm body fills a seat. The right person moves the business. I never settle, and neither should you.
The best time to attract talent is before you need it. I keep your pipeline warm so you're never scrambling.
How I help
Depending on what your business needs, I can support you through:
The process
Hiring shouldn't feel like a constant scramble. I help you create a smarter people strategy, from attracting the right talent to keeping your best people.
Get in front of the right candidates with a recruiting strategy and employer brand that makes people want to work for you.
Create a clear, intentional hiring process that helps you identify the right people for the right roles, without relying on gut instinct.
Build stronger teams, better leaders, and a workplace where your best people want to stay, perform, and grow.
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
Handshake in Heels helps businesses solve hiring, recruiting, leadership, and people-related challenges. Services include recruiting, fractional talent leadership, hiring strategy, recruitment consulting, workshops, and team building strategy.
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.
My experience goes beyond filling roles. I've trained leaders, advised businesses, and spoken on stages about how to hire intentionally, lead effectively, and build teams that perform.
Now, I bring that same strategy and experience directly to your business, so you can stop guessing and start building the team you actually need.
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.
