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For many small business owners, the hardest parts of the job are not always financial. They are the conversations no one prepares you for, the leadership decisions that feel uncertain, and the responsibility of shaping a workplace where people actually want to be.
That reality is at the center of “When People Rise: HR Secrets for Small Business Growth, Success, and Legacy,” a new book released in April by a group of business professionals, including several from the Severna Park area.
The book features 22 contributors, many based in Maryland, who share personal experiences and practical advice on navigating challenges in the workplace. It is led by Severna Park resident Susan Mahaffee, president and founder of People Rise LLC.
Mahaffee said the idea for the project was rooted in a simple question: Where do people turn when they do not know how to handle difficult situations at work?
“I wanted to create something that people could actually use,” Mahaffee said. “Not a textbook, but real stories, paired with tools that help you handle those situations.”
After nearly 25 years working in human resources, Mahaffee launched her business in 2022 with a focus on helping organizations build stronger workplace cultures. She said many small business owners still see HR as limited to compliance or hiring, rather than something that shapes the overall health of a company.
“A lot of small business owners think HR is just hiring and firing,” she said. “But it’s really about how you build a place where people want to work.”
The book reflects that approach. Each chapter is written by a different contributor and focuses on a specific topic, ranging from leadership challenges to employee wellness. Mahaffee said the format is intentionally flexible, allowing readers to move through chapters in any order and take away ideas they can apply immediately.
“It’s meant to be accessible,” she said. “You can pick it up, read one story, and try something new right away.”
Rick Miller, owner and president of Zeskind’s Hardware & Millwork in Severna Park, is among the contributors. His company, a fourth-generation family business, has grown significantly over the past two decades, evolving from a small retail hardware store into a regional manufacturing and distribution operation.
Miller said he joined the project largely because of his trust in Mahaffee’s vision.
“I knew she was going to assemble a great group of people,” he said. “And I trusted that she knew what she wanted the voice of the book to be.”
For Miller, writing his chapter offered a chance to reflect on his experience leading his company through years of change and growth.
“You live it day-to-day, but you don’t always step back and think about how far you’ve come,” he said.
In his contribution, Miller highlights the importance of using fractional experts, or experienced professionals who work with businesses on a part-time basis. He said this approach allows small businesses to access high-level expertise without the cost of full-time staff.
“Most small businesses don’t have the need or the capacity for full-time leading experts,” Miller said. “So using fractional experts is exactly what a business of our size needs.”
That idea of making resources more accessible is a common theme throughout the book. Mahaffee said many contributors chose to share personal challenges, including difficult conversations, career setbacks, and moments of uncertainty.
“The goal is to make readers feel seen,” she said.
Mahaffee also emphasized the broader role that workplace culture plays in local communities. In areas like Severna Park, where small businesses are a central part of the economy, she said strong people practices can have a ripple effect.
“When businesses treat people well, that spreads,” she said. “It shapes how people experience their jobs and how they talk about those companies.”
Each chapter includes not only a story, but also a practical tool, such as a checklist or set of questions, that readers can apply in their own workplaces. The book also includes contributor profiles and contact information, encouraging readers to connect directly with the authors.
Early response to the book has been strong, with “When People Rise” reaching the top of Amazon’s human resources category shortly after its release.
For Mahaffee, the focus remains on impact rather than recognition.
“If someone reads even one chapter and thinks, ‘I never thought of it that way,’ then we’ve already made an impact,” she said.
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