Ready to Make Your First Hire?

Learn Every Step with

the Ultimate Guide to Employee Lifecycle

—Made for California Small Businesses

a DIY HR Course by Carlyn Carter Consulting
Learn to hire the right way, so you don't have to learn the hard way.

Enroll Now

You’ve Never Hired Before. But Now You Can’t Avoid It.

Your business is growing — maybe faster than you expected — and you know it’s time to bring someone on board. But hiring in California isn’t just posting a job and hoping for the best.

There are legal hoops. Onboarding steps. Payroll rules. Employee handbooks. Workplace policies. And the terrifying question that haunts every founder:

"What if I do this wrong?"

This DIY HR course was built for this exact moment.

Hiring your first employee shouldn’t be scary.

This course makes it simple.

Introducing: The Ultimate Guide to the Employee Lifecycle

A self-paced, step-by-step course created for California small business owners ready to hire confidently and compliantly.

Created by Carlyn Carter Consulting, this course helps you go from “no HR department” to “I’ve got this” — even if you’re short on time, unsure about employment law, and trying to stretch every dollar.

Meet the Instructor

By the End of This Course, You’ll Be Able To:

✅ Confidently hire your first employee the right way

✅ Navigate California’s legal requirements (without needing a law degree)

✅ Write job descriptions, offer letters, and onboarding checklists

✅ Set up payroll, workers comp, and required documentation

✅ Avoid common mistakes that cost small businesses time and money

✅ Build a strong foundation for a healthy, scalable work culture

💡 This Course is For You If…

You’re a California-based founder or small business owner
You’re ready to hire your first employee (or already have and want to make sure it’s right)
You want to build a positive, legal, and sustainable workplace from day one
You can’t afford to outsource to a full-time HR consultant (yet)

📦 What’s Inside the Course

Module 1: Stages of the Employee Lifecycle
Get a big-picture overview of the full employee experience—from first touchpoint to final goodbye—so you can build a strong, sustainable team with intention at every stage.

Module 2: Legal Considerations in Recruitment and Onboarding
Learn the key California labor laws that apply before, during, and immediately after hiring—so you stay compliant and protect your business from day one.

Module 3: Effective Recruitment Strategies
Discover how to attract qualified candidates with practical, low-cost recruitment methods that work for small businesses and nonprofits.

... and 7 more modules!

Bonus: HR Compliance Checklist + California Hiring Toolkit

All delivered in short, actionable video lessons with downloadable templates and tools.

Meet Your Instructor: Carlyn Wice

Carlyn is a trusted HR consultant who has helped dozens of California-based founders build people-first businesses — with compliance and care. She’s known for breaking down complex HR laws into practical steps you can take — even with no background in hiring.

Carlyn holds a BA and MA in Psychology from the University of Southern California, as well as a Master of Science in Human Resources (MSHR) from Pepperdine University.

Learn more about Carlyn Carter Consulting

FAQ

Who is this course for?

How long do I have access to the course?

When does it launch?

How long will it take to complete?

What if I’ve already hired someone?

Is this only for California?

Do I need any prior HR experience?

💬 What Clients Are Saying

"As a new nonprofit executive director and founder, I found Carlyn to be instrumental in keeping our organization compliant, organized and structured.”
– Jessica, Executive Director and Founder, SNAP with Stepping Stones

“Carlyn is incredibly well suited to help with many facets of small and medium-sized businesses. She is well-spoken and very detailed in her work. I have utilized her for staffing, compliance, and general HR questions that arise in my own business and will continue to use her in the future. I have also worked with her outside my business with other organizations and she always impresses.”
– Andrew, Proprietor, Metal Supermarkets, Ventura County

Enroll Today and Start Hiring with Confidence

Get lifetime access to the full course, templates, checklists, and bonus materials for just $199

Pre-Order by May 31, 2025 to save $30

Carlyn's HR Tips

Want to DIY your HR? Sign up to receive Carlyn's weekly tips and tools, including hiring for the first time!

📦 The Course Curriculum

Module 3: Effective Recruitment Strategies
Discover how to attract qualified candidates with practical, low-cost recruitment methods that work for small businesses and nonprofits.

Module 4: Successful Onboarding Practices
Set your new hires up for success with onboarding systems that boost confidence, clarity, and early engagement—without requiring a full HR department.

Module 5: Promoting Employee Development
Explore simple ways to support growth, skill-building, and performance that fit your size and budget—while keeping your team motivated and aligned.

Module 6: Legal Aspects of Employee Development and Retention
Understand your obligations when it comes to performance reviews, raises, promotions, and disciplinary action—so your team’s growth doesn’t put you at risk.

Module 7: Strategies for Employee Retention
Reduce turnover and build loyalty with people-first practices designed for growing teams—because keeping a great hire is just as important as making one.

Module 8: Managing Employee Offboarding
Handle employee exits gracefully and professionally, whether voluntary or involuntary, while preserving team morale and minimizing legal exposure.

Module 9: Succession Planning for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
Learn how to prepare for leadership changes, unexpected departures, or role transitions—so your business keeps running smoothly, no matter what.

Module 10: Legal Considerations in Offboarding and Succession Planning
Make sure your exits and transitions follow California law, protect sensitive information, and include all the right steps—from final paychecks to COBRA notifications.