Inspiring Conversations with Alicia Parr of Performentor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Parr. 

Hi Alicia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
It took me a while to figure out my career path. I explored different fields, such as marketing, psychology, and business, but I always felt like something was missing. It wasn’t until I discovered my love for human resources and the entrepreneurial spirit that I felt like I found my calling. 

I’ve been in the human resources field for over 20 years now, and I’ve always approached things with an out-of-the-box mindset. Although it wasn’t always clear how my unique way of thinking fit into the human resources field, I’ve learned a lot and had the opportunity to grow alongside others. 

Recently, I was heading up the human resources department of a fast-growing tech-enabled services business. We even earned a spot on the Inc 5000 list for multiple years in a row! But after a while, I realized that I needed something new and broader for myself. It was up to me to create work that fit me rather than expecting my boss to create something that fit me. 

So, I stepped into entrepreneurship seven years ago and never looked back. It is always my goal to find work that fits me, that energizes me, and that feels like it’s in service to others. Through talking with more and more people, I discovered that it’s not just me but that everyone wants work that fits them and energizes them! I also realized that helping leaders and their teams unleash their people’s energy is my life’s purpose. This drive animates what Performentor is all about. 

I truly believe that business is the conversion of people’s energy into economic value. If we can unleash and harness that energy through effective human resources practices, we can truly make a difference in the growth and purpose of any business. Any organization. Since I’m most familiar with smaller organizational dynamics, that’s where we’ve focused. I was looking for a way to help smaller organizations scale up and help their people grow. 

Over the first couple of years of running my own business, I experimented and learned a lot about developing a team-based model that leverages each person’s unique skills and abilities. We’re all different, and that’s a strength that should be harnessed and coordinated. 

For me, this work is all about my life’s purpose, which is helping people unleash their energy in meaningful ways, both for themselves and for others. It’s about creating environments that are high in trust and energy, even if the work isn’t always easy. Because at the end of the day, meaningful work is what people really want. 

The work we do is not just impactful for the businesses we work with but for their extended families as well. People spend a lot of time working, so when we create great work environments, we create better lives for all involved. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t describe the entrepreneurial journey as smooth for me or anyone else. It’s the hard stuff that helps us grow the most. One of the best things about starting a business is that it really forces us to get outside of our own egos and a felt need to be “right.” 

In order to have a vibrant, growing business, we have to really listen to what people and the marketplace our telling us. Even when we don’t want to hear it! My particular journey has been bumpy and peppered with highs and lows. I see that as a feature, instead of a bug.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Performentor, our mission is to unleash people energy and propel growth for organizations and businesses of any size. We do this through a creative, practical, and scientific mindset. 

We specialize in providing fractional, curated human resources support and guidance to help organizational leaders unleash the inherent capabilities and energies of their teams. While compliance controls and risk monitoring are important and something we are well-equipped to provide, our emphasis is on enhancing team performance and achieving business objectives. 

We offer a range of services to help organizations grow, including: bringing in the right people, organizing resources, developing team capabilities, and promoting purposeful culture values. We seek to fill in the gaps any organization has in their people practices to best ready them for healthy, productive scaling. We work closely with each client to provide a team-based approach to support, recognizing that each organization is unique and requires custom-tailored solutions. 

What sets us apart is our strategic and flexible approach, cost-effective handling of day-to-day tasks, and our ability to innovate and turn on a dime in the face of change. We put together a team of consultants for each client to ensure that we are practical, effective and become an integral part of the team. Or, as we way in our principles, we become “we” with our clients. 

I’m proud of the experiences we create for our clients and grateful for the referrals that have fueled our growth. We’re excited to continue helping even more organizations unleash their potential and drive growth. 

What do you like and dislike about the city?
This a compelling place to live! As someone who has been living in the Triangle area since the late 90s, I’ve seen it go through so much growth and real change. But one thing that has remained constant is the vibrancy and dynamic nature of this place. I couldn’t be more excited to be based in North Carolina, specifically in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill expanded metro area. 

There are so many things to love about this area. One of my favorite things is the diversity of the people who live here. I’ve met so many interesting people from all walks of life and from all over the world. It truly makes this a beautiful and fascinating place to live. 

I’m a big fan of the outdoors. Our family loves to go hiking together, and there are so many trails to explore here. I also love the hills and trees and the usually temperate weather. And even though we have access to all the activities and entertainment that come with living in a metro area, it never feels like we’re living in a “big city.” 

Of course, like any place, there are things that can be challenging. With growth comes bureaucracy, and it can be frustrating at times to get things done. As someone who has been building a house in Chatham County, I’ve experienced this firsthand. But even with these challenges, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. The energy and creativity of this city make it an incredible place to be. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://performentor.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/performentor.biz/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aliciaparr
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@trustheuristics/featured