Experience. Perspective. People.
HR guidance from someone who’s been on both sides of the business.
Meet Vista
Business Owner. HR Professional. People Person.
I'm Vista Bartholomew, founder of Vista HR Consulting. My background combines hands-on business ownership with professional HR leadership, giving me a unique perspective on the challenges small business owners face.
I spent 12 years building and operating my own company before bringing that entrepreneurial experience into HR leadership. Today, I help businesses navigate the people side of running a company with practical guidance, sound judgment, and an understanding of what it's like to sit in the owner's chair.
Professional Experience
My HR career has spanned several industries, giving me a broad perspective on the unique challenges different businesses face. I've served as People & Culture Manager for Navi Title Agency in the real estate and title insurance industry, HR Manager for Vector Solutions in defense contracting, HR Consultant for The Laughton Team in real estate, and HR Administrator for Tesoro in oil refining and retail operations.
In addition to my corporate HR experience, I spent 12 years as the founder and owner of VistaPix Media, a digital archival services company. That experience gave me firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build a business, manage employees, and balance operational demands with the needs of the people who make it successful.
My HR Philosophy
People First. Business Always.
I believe great HR isn't about choosing between what's best for employees and what's best for the business. It's about finding the balance that allows both to thrive.
Having spent years on both sides of the equation, first as a small business owner and now as an HR professional, I've learned that the best solutions aren't always found in a handbook. They come from listening, understanding the bigger picture, and approaching challenges with equal parts empathy, accountability, and common sense.
HR Should Be Approachable
I believe HR should be a resource people feel comfortable turning to, not a department they hesitate to contact. Whether I'm speaking with a business owner, an employee, or a prospective hire, my goal is to create open, honest communication where people feel heard, respected, and understood.
Being able to communicate effectively with everyone at the table is essential. That doesn't mean everyone will always agree, but it does mean conversations can be productive, expectations can be clear, and difficult situations can be handled professionally.
Protecting Your People and Your Business
Good intentions aren't enough when it comes to employment decisions. Business owners need to understand their responsibilities, stay compliant with employment laws, and recognize the potential risks associated with hiring, managing, and separating employees.
My role is to help employers make informed, consistent, and legally sound decisions that reduce unnecessary risk while maintaining fairness and accountability. I believe in addressing concerns proactively rather than waiting until a small issue becomes a costly problem.
Hiring the Right People, Not Just Filling Positions
Finding the right employee goes beyond reviewing resumes and checking qualifications. Successful hiring means understanding the position, the skills and experience required to perform it, and the workplace culture the person will be joining.
I believe in thoughtful recruiting, clear job expectations, and hiring practices that identify qualified candidates who can contribute to the organization and succeed in their roles.
The goal isn't simply to fill an opening. It's to make a hiring decision that benefits both the employee and the employer over the long term.
Practical HR. Real Relationships. Better Decisions.
I don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions, unnecessary bureaucracy, or complicated corporate language. I believe in building relationships, understanding the realities of running a business, and offering straightforward guidance that owners can actually put into practice.
Sometimes that means helping a manager navigate a difficult conversation. Sometimes it's developing policies, strengthening compliance practices, or finding the right person to join a growing team.
Whatever the challenge, my approach remains the same: listen first, understand the situation, communicate clearly, and find a solution that makes sense for the people and the business.
People are the heart of every business. Good HR protects both.
Beyond the Business
Born in Colorado but (mostly) raised in Arizona, a military spouse of 26 years, a proud mom to two amazing kids, Haley (20) and Landon (16) and small business owner for 12 years. Those experiences have taught me a thing or two about adaptability, resilience, and finding humor in the unexpected.
Outside of work, I'm happiest exploring somewhere new, discovering a song that feels like it was written just for me, writing poetry, or connecting with people who start out as strangers and become friends. I love meaningful conversations, spontaneous adventures, and those little moments in life that remind us how much beauty there is in the everyday.
I'm a bit of a sentimental soul, and I believe the best parts of life aren't always the big milestones. Sometimes they're a breathtaking sunset, a perfectly timed song, a shared laugh, or an unexpected connection.
My poem, What Lets the Light In, was inspired by the little things that make life beautiful. It's a little glimpse into how I see the world and the good that still exists within it.
