Success Stories
We’ve built our business on taking care of others’ businesses and we depend on their success for our success.
See what they have to say.
STATION 19 ARCHITECTS
"Thank you (Ailee) for all of your work, organization, and wisdom in supporting our team. Keeping us on track has been so very valuable to me. There is so much to know when it comes to all things HR and I couldn't do what I do well without your expertise. I appreciate you (Ailee) so much!!" - Nicole Thompson, President
NFP Pharmacist
“I was nervous to hire a virtual assistant, but I knew it was something I needed to do to take some work off my plate as a business owner. Someone recommended Approach HR to me, and I had a virtual meeting with the owner Ailee to learn more about the company. I was impressed by the available services and I wanted to support a local small business, so I decided to hire a virtual assistant through Approach HR. I could not be happier with the virtual assistant services I have received. Ailee and her company helped support me in ensuring I felt comfortable with the VA I was working with, and I have been extremely satisfied with the virtual assistants I have worked with. I really appreciate that Approach HR takes care of the payroll component and makes it simple for me to pay my VA. They also have made it easy for me when I transitioned from one VA to another, and when I decided to put a pause on my own business and my VA services. I would highly recommend Approach HR to any small business owner, especially to a Twin Cities solopreneur who needs to take something off their plate to be their best!” - Dr. Emily Kirkwood, Pharmacist & Founder
Christopher Strom Architects & AIA
“Ailee and the Approach HR team serve our small firm well. I appreciate that Ailee can adapt her services based on our changing needs as the company grows. Ailee has developed our Employee Handbook and handles our employee onboarding. She keeps our company in compliance with the complex and always-evolving labor laws/regulations, which is a big weight off my shoulders. Whatever the task, Ailee offers clear, organized, and professional guidance with a calm demeanor.” - Christopher Strom, Principal
“Whatever the task, Ailee offers clear, organized, and professional guidance with a calm demeanor.”
Fuse Studio Inc.
“She’s one of the family now. We’ve been working with Ailee for several years and can’t imagine our business without her. Our company has grown significantly and Ailee has been a guiding force through that growth. Approach has taken care of all HR paperwork keeping us in compliance, and making sure we understand what it all means. Ailee quickly became a trusted and valued resource for ownership and our employees. Like I said… can’t imagine our business without her. Thank you Ailee!” - Ron Frisk, Managing Partner
BTD BRAND
“In just a short time, we have been able to transfer some of the dreaded, but critical administrative work to our wonderful VA (Theresa) — helping our team focus on the graphic design and brand work for clients. Not only does our VA free up our day-to-day, she has lightened our mental load which is incredibly valuable as we work on strategic growth. In just a short time, we have been able to transfer some of the dreaded, but critical administrative work to our wonderful VA — helping our team focus on the graphic design and brand work for clients. Not only does our VA free up our day-to-day, she has lightened our mental load which is incredibly valuable as we work on strategic growth.” - Sarah Steil, Co-Founder & Brand Strategist
KARI CAMPBELL INTERIORS
“Ailee was instrumental in helping me hire and onboard my first employee. She answered all my questions and made sure I knew the essential steps to take. She was approachable and professional throughout the process and was available to answer any questions that came up for me and my new employee. I highly recommend her and her services.” Kari Campbell, Founder
“{Ailee} was approachable and professional throughout the process and was available to answer any questions that came up.”
“Theresa does a great job and is very diligent on follow up and availability. She is always pleasant and ready to help.” - James Metcalf, Executive
JAMES METCALF
- Business Executive
OAK HILLS CHURCH
“We recently used APPROACH HR to update and revise our employee handbook. They (Ailee and Hilary) did a great job, completing the project on time, for a very reasonable rate. They also made sure to include all of the most recent State and Federal laws related to our non-profit organization. I recommend them to you.” - Pastor Rod Carlson
GET HEALTHY U & GET HEALTHY U TV
“Ailee has changed my life, literally! As a small business owner, it’s hard to manage employees, benefits, rules, etc. Ailee and her team just step in and take all the stress and worry out of the HR tasks. She makes sure I’m compliant and keeps me organized. I am so happy I took the step to outsource HR. I think so many small business owners decide to just “do it on their own” and it can be overwhelming. You will not regret hiring Approach HR!” - Chris Freytag, Founder
“Ailee has changed my life, literally! You will not regret hiring Approach HR!”
PACIFIC COAST CONSERVATION
"Ailee has been an invaluable resource to my business and myself. She watches to make sure HR issues are dealt with appropriately and is so wonderful to work with. I have recommended her to friends and came across her through a recommendation, so she must be doing something right!" - Alison Leard, Director
“This is a wild time to be a leader and an employer -- I can't express our team's gratitude enough to Ailee Nelson and her team. They have been posting, screening, scheduling, and onboard planning for numerous positions as we GROW. They've served as a great partner to our HR team. I highly recommend and am grateful for business partners who make us stronger.” - Amanda LaGrange, CEO
TECH DUMP & TECH
DISCOUNTS
INTEGRIPRINT
“Approach supported my hiring efforts in so many ways... Placing ads on social media, online job boards, newspapers and colleges. Reviewing incoming resumes and presenting candidates who fit the requirements of the position. Conducting initial phone interviews and assisting with in-person interviews.
It [made our process] so much easier and gave me the confidence in the end that everything was done correctly. Hire a professional. The expense is worth the peace of mind and time to do what you do best.” - Jackie Wurm, Owner/President
“Hire a professional. The expense is worth the peace of mind and time to do what you do best.”
TWO BETTYS GREEN CLEANING
“We were recovering from a really awful hire and termination in a leadership position, and one of the things that came to light during that situation was that we didn't have all of our HR processes locked down as tightly as we should. I realized at that time this is something we need to be doing regularly, have an outside HR organization check on us and our compliance as well as advise best practices across the board.
As a result of our HR audit we knew we needed to hire a specific type of HR Manager and Ailee supported those efforts to make sure we hired someone with the right experience and credentials so that this situation doesn't happen again. Ailee was great at identifying what we needed to do and helping us make all the necessary changes in a timely, organized manner. We have been very satisfied with the work Approach has done for us and alongside us, I recommend them with confidence.” - Anna Tsantir, Founder Lady
KIM NELSON
- Business Executive
“I am so grateful for the outstanding administrative support provided by Approach! My assistant (Theresa) is courteous, professional, and capable - most of all, she allows me to focus my time and energy on my priority projects instead of setting up meetings and making travel arrangements. This service has been well worth the investment.” - Kim Nelson, Business Executive
NOURISH MOVE LOVE
“Ailee has been an absolute life-saver!! As a small business owner, navigating employee hires for the first time; Ailee lightened my workload and gave me peace of mind that I was covering all my bases. Her organization, communication, and attention to detail make me trust her and her team with all my business HR needs!” - Lindsey Bomgren, Owner
“Ailee lightened my workload and gave me peace of mind that I was covering all my bases. Her organization, communication and attention to detail make me trust her and her team with all my business HR needs!”
nosh and gather
“I was drowning trying to get all my gifts purchased… Approach picked up the gifts and returned them wrapped, sorted and ready to be put under the tree… I cannot recommend her services enough.” - Liza Atkinson, Founder
InUnison Design
"As our companies have grown, one of the needs that’s happened is to really do a better job taking care of employees and the requirements and the government regulations and the reviews and we weren’t doing that well. We weren’t going through the processes correctly. As a business owner you’ve got things coming at you all the time. Ailee has such a calming, professional presence when she’s working with the people that you really care about in your business. I mean, it was really easy to just trust her because we had that connection." - Christine Frisk, Owner/Principal
ENGEL & VÖLKERS, Minneapolis Downtown
“Operating a thriving business had so much on my plate that trying to navigate the world of hiring was more than I could take on even though I desperately needed an assistant. Approach swooped in and freely gave the resources to efficiently provide what was needed to post the job and qualify candidates prior to setting up co-hosted interviews with me. After we identified my new team member, Approach was there to ensure all paperwork was completed and filed as needed, and even helped pass on a welcome note and gift, on my behalf, to the team member celebrating the new role. Can't recommend her highly enough!” - Katrina DeWit, Real Estate Advisor
“After we identified my new team member, Approach was there to ensure all paperwork was completed and filed as needed, and even helped pass on a welcome note and gift, on my behalf, to the team member celebrating the new role.”
"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! You are really doing a very thorough job and I love it! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the work that you've done so far! The Appreciation Services that Approach provided were a life-saver! Finding meaningful gifts to show our employees how much we appreciate them can be a large undertaking - I often find myself spinning my wheels trying to find something just right. Ailee and her team found the most perfect gifts for my staff - everyone loved the gifts and the fact that she finds local vendors is an absolute plus. I would highly recommend her services to any small business owner!" - Amanda Tukey, Attorney
Keylin Advisors
Living Services Foundation
“My work with Approach, both in website and virtual assistant is going SO well. I’m feeling great about the help on my upcoming leave and the website results are better than I could have expected! I’m so happy with all of it.” - Jennifer Gleason, COO
The Business Women’s Circle
“In my time working with Ailee Nelson, I know three things about her. First, she does not shy from the tough stuff. I have seen her build an HR department from scratch, deal with tough conversations with compassion and help build structure and policies into organizations that had none. Second, Ailee gets things done. Where others see barriers, she sees an opportunity to figure out how to get something accomplished - whether that is through her own learning or using her many resources that she has developed. Third, she is a wonderful human being that understands what you need and how to speak in your voice. Ailee has taken over my calendar and other projects for me and often times responds to questions and problems better than I would have for myself! I love working with her and she has quickly become an indispensable partner for me and my organization. Based on my experience, I believe Ailee and her team would be a valuable asset to any organization they work with.” - Lani Basa, CEO & Lead Facilitator
“Where others see barriers, she (Ailee) sees an opportunity to figure out how to get something accomplished.”
The Instinctive Advantage
“I have had the absolute privilege of working with Ailee in dual capacities – both in her role with BWC and as a partner in her HR work. In Ailee’s role as Business Manager for BWC, she is always timely and accurate. A great deal of the BWC business is conducted virtually, and Ailee’s role is absolutely key in keeping everyone on schedule. She always does it gracefully and with a smile on her face. I truly do not know how she does it, but she keeps a virtual team moving in the same direction – no easy feat. I have also had the honor of seeing Ailee in action in her HR Consultant space.
Clients have deep respect for her, and she is able to appropriately guide clients through making the tough decisions. Ailee handles the tough conversations flawlessly, and helps create and implement an action plan for the client to ensure the best result. I would highly recommend Ailee for your Virtual Assistant or HR Consulting needs.” - Erin Werde, President
WOMEN PRESIDENTS’ organization
“I've used Approach HR's services to do the stuff I'm terrible at. No more mistakes, typos, and finally an organized filing system. It's those things that keep you from doing what you enjoy and are good at. Whether it's creating something, like a directory, or simply updating and managing data, she comes through for me in a timely manner.” - Myrna Marofsky, Chapter Chair
The creative catalysts
"I want to recognize outstanding service so far of my Approach Virtual Assistant (Anna Lisa). What stands out is her professionalism, service-orientation, independent thinking, judgement, responsiveness and proactive approach. I also appreciate how she represents the Catalyst brand. She is truly helpful and I can’t imagine how I would have gotten through the past few weeks without her assistance! And it's pleasure to work with Ailee too! " - Amy Batiste, Founder and CEO
“I want to recognize outstanding service so far of my Approach Virtual Assistant. What stands out is her professionalism, service-orientation, independent thinking, judgement, responsiveness and proactive approach.”
Red Seat
“Working with Ailee is always a pleasure. She is professional, prepared for meetings, understands HR and how HR structure impacts a company's strategic vision. In addition to her organizational and Human Resources knowledge, Ailee navigates difficult situations with a calm demeanor. We have worked together on a number of projects over the last four years and it is always a joy to collaborate with Ailee.” - Talley Flora, CEO & Founder
Miller Law, PLLC
“Ailee managed multiple complex executive staffing functions in an organized and professional fashion. Ailee was a pleasure to work with and I believe that she would be an incredible asset to anyone's executive team.” - Douglas R. Miller, Attorney
Canvasback, Inc.
“Approach HR has literally changed my business! Ailee led me through restructuring my team, she defined roles and responsibilities, hired several new employees, streamlined processes and procedures and continues to coach and mentor not only a few key employees but me as well! Ailee just gets it. Both the business aspect as well as the people side.” - Brooks Chandler, Owner
“Ailee just gets it. Both the business aspect as well as the people side.”
“Ailee is extremely positive and has exceptional organizational skills. She is a true professional and she would be an asset to any organization.”
- Jessica Jensen, Executive Closer
Title One, Inc.
Jkath Design Build + Reinvent
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with Ailee in a variety of settings. I hired her to work for me to help get caught up and my books in order as my season had gotten away from me. I also work alongside Ailee for the Business Women’s Circle, she diligently keeps it all together a timely manner and effectively communicates scheduling and locations. Ailee also keeps all of our shared documents updated and readily available for team use. She is efficient, professional and eager to take on new tasks, creating seamless work flows. Ailee has been a true asset to several organizations I am familiar with and is seeing fantastic growth as a result.” - Katie Kath, Co-Owner & BWC Facilitator
SagePresence
“Always professional, there’s nothing Ailee won’t take on. Ailee is a roadblock buster. You tell her what you need and it gets done flawlessly. Ailee is extremely helpful, interested and caring about why I need what, and how to make it happen. Ailee works with a team of great professionals who offer consistent, at-the-ready coverage and project work. Ailee and her team have extended the capabilities of my organization –– a significant contribution to our success. In a business with a lot of moving parts, I was always in fear of dropping the ball. Now it’s all taken care of by Ailee and her team. Ailee listens to truly understand your business challenges, providing precise, custom solutions that manage your issues. With Ailee, it’s under control.” - Dean Hyers, Principal
“ I was always in fear of dropping the ball. Now it’s all taken care of by Ailee and her team.”