Ariane Laird
LinkedIn Profile
Why I started ConnectsUs HR
After years in HR consulting, I saw a gap—small businesses were struggling with HR because they lacked simple, effective tools. So, I built a team of HR pros, writers, trainers, and employment lawyers to create HR toolkits tailored for small businesses. They worked. Clients loved them. "Instant ROI." "Indispensable." "No-brainer."
Then HR consultants wanted in—so we built solutions for them too.
What I do @ ConnectsUs HR
Founder. CEO. Product Manager. HR Consultant. Jack of all trades.
Remote work? We were there before it was a thing.
We've been remote since 2006—long before it became mainstream. Why?
- Productivity > office distractions.
- No commute. No suits. More family time.
- Lower environmental impact.
My Background: A Rebel with a Cause
I was that kid—politely challenging the nuns in grade school and spending quality time in the Principal’s office. (Sorry, Mom.) I questioned everything, which later translated into challenging the status quo.
I started my career as the classic mailroom-to-boardroom story. Thanks to some incredible mentors, I moved through Admin, Finance, and into HR, taking on projects no one else wanted (hello, Employment Equity audits). Turns out, I loved fixing messy HR problems and making things better, faster.
I've worked with nearly 60 companies, from small startups to big names like Avon, Amcor, and Glenayre Electronics. I co-founded the HR Tech Group and partnered with BC Social Venture Partners.
Through it all, I saw small businesses struggle with HR, not because they didn’t care—but because HR was a tangled mess. So I built ConnectsUs HR. What started as print-and-ship HR manuals, now lives in the cloud-helping thousands of businesses and consultants with HR.
Beyond HR
When I’m not working, you’ll find me:
- Salsa dancing
- Breathing! and Yoga
- Learning new languages
- Mountain biking & hiking
- Spending time with my family and favorite people.