Today we’d like to introduce you to Delmar Johnson.
Hi Delmar, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey really began in 2010, during one of the most pivotal seasons of my life. I had just lost everything, returned to my hometown, and found myself asking the hard questions: What’s next? Where do I even begin again? Additionally, I stepped into the unexpected role of caregiver, which added another layer of responsibility and uncertainty.
At first, I did what many of us do: I looked for jobs to stabilize myself. I took on temporary contractor roles, grateful for the work but quickly realizing they weren’t a long-term solution. There were stretches when I was completely without work, and it became clear that I was running on a hamster wheel that was leading me nowhere.
That’s when I made a decision: I could either stay stuck or I could shift. After much prayer and reflection, I asked myself what was already in my hands that I could use to rebuild my life. The answer was clear—I knew HR, and I knew it well.
From that point, my focus shifted to utilizing my expertise to help women, whether entrepreneurs or professionals, navigate career and life transitions. I had dabbled in entrepreneurship before, but this time I leaned into my professional skillset as a foundation for something sustainable. That decision became the spark that launched me into building what has now grown into the work and brands I lead today – HR Brain for Hire, Inc. and Delmar Unlimited Co.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not, it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Entrepreneurship rarely is. It comes with ups and downs, roadblocks, and those gut-check moments where you wonder if you should keep going or press pause. Truthfully, I’ve hit pause more than once over the years, and there were times I almost walked away entirely. But something inside of me never let me fully quit.
One of the biggest challenges early on was learning how to translate HR “corporate speak” into a language that startup founders and growing small businesses could relate to. Many of them believed HR was only for “big companies.” My work became about shifting that narrative, educating leaders on why building a strong people and culture foundation early is not just “nice to have,” but critical for sustainable growth as their revenue, client base, and leadership responsibilities expanded.
Over the last couple of years, in particular, I have been stretched to pivot again, this time in how I serve. I’m finally shifting from being the day-to-day implementor and operator to stepping more fully into an advisory role. And honestly, I enjoy it more. It enables me to guide clients with strategy, clarity, and foresight, while empowering them to build the systems and teams they need to run their businesses successfully.
Now, more than a decade later, I’m proud to see the conversations changing. Small and midsize business leaders are no longer brushing off HR as an afterthought; they’re prioritizing people, their processes, culture, and leadership as part of their growth strategy. And for me, being part of that shift has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about HR Brain for Hire, Inc.?
At its core, my work is about helping small and midsize businesses stop “winging it” with their people strategy and start building with intention. Too many businesses struggle with long-term sustainability, not because their idea isn’t good, but because they haven’t invested in the right organizational structure, strong teams, or systems to support growth. That’s where my company, HR Brain for Hire™, comes in.
We specialize in Organizational Design Services, helping businesses implement the structure, systems, and culture needed to scale successfully. We also provide Professional Development Services that equip leaders, managers, and teams with the tools they need to thrive in today’s ever-changing work environments. From building HR departments from the ground up, to designing policies and practices that align with equity, inclusion, technology, wellness, and safety, we give our clients the confidence and clarity to grow in a way that is both profitable and sustainable.
What sets us apart is not just the expertise of our team, which collectively brings more than 50 years of experience in HR, recruiting, policy, training, coaching, and leadership, but also our humanity-centered approach. We don’t just create processes; we help companies build people-first cultures that directly connect to their ability to scale. That’s why our clients walk away with more than just systems; they walk away with confidence as leaders, stronger teams, and businesses positioned for long-term success.
Beyond the agency, I’m proud of how my personal brand has expanded. In 2020, I released my first business book, HR Is Sexy: The Truth About Human Resources and Why It’s Necessary for Your Business, just before the pandemic altered the entire world’s view of work. In 2025, I’ll be releasing my newest book, Get Off The Pew, which challenges us to examine the “pews” we’ve been sitting on—whether in life, ministry, business, or career and how to move beyond them into greater purpose. Completing the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business Executive Program has been another career milestone, sharpening my ability to serve at a higher level. As a Certified Woman-Owned Business, I take pride in representing both excellence and diversity in spaces where our presence matters.
At the end of the day, I want readers to know this: my work has never been just about HR; it’s about transformation. Whether through consulting, training, writing, or speaking, my goal is to help entrepreneurs and leaders build companies (and lives) that are profitable, impactful, and legacy-driven.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Risk-taking and entrepreneurship go hand in hand; you can’t have one without the other. But I’ll be honest, I don’t always see myself as a “natural” risk-taker. For me, risk has usually shown up disguised as life transitions, tough choices, or moments when the safe option would’ve been to stay comfortable.
One of the most significant risks I’ve ever taken was betting on myself after losing everything in 2010. At that point, the “safe” route would’ve been to find a traditional job and settle back into corporate life. Instead, I decided to build something of my own—HR Brain for Hire™, using what was already in my hands: my HR expertise. That leap was equal parts faith, strategy, and a little bit of “well, what do I really have to lose?”
Over the years, I’ve learned that risk doesn’t always mean something flashy like jumping off cliffs or betting the farm. Sometimes it’s the quieter, scarier decisions, pivoting your business model, stepping away from roles that no longer fit, or shifting from being the implementor to stepping into the advisory space I’m in now. Those risks have paid off in ways I couldn’t have imagined, opening doors to growth, partnerships, and opportunities, such as completing the Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women in Business executive program.
My perspective is this: risk is really about trust. Trusting yourself, trusting your skills, and sometimes trusting that even if you fall, you’ll learn something that positions you for the next season. I don’t chase risk for the thrill of it, but I do embrace it as a necessary companion to purpose and progress.
Pricing:
- HR Brain for Hire™ Advisory & Consulting –Start at $3,500/month
- Concierge HR Membership – Tiered monthly memberships begin at $997/month
- Professional Development & Training Programs – $3,500–$25,000+
- Speaking Engagements; Keynotes and training talks – Start at $2,500
- Books & Digital Resources – Start at $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hrbrainforhire.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/delmarunlimited
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/delmar.johnson1/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/delmarjohnson1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DelmarJohnson
- Other: https://delmarunlimited.com
Image Credits
Photo Credits
Blachwood Photography
Traffic, Sales & Profits Media Team
PPICW Inc. Media Team
