Meet the Founder: Jivan Dempsey
Helping Growing Businesses Scale with Smart, Affordable HR Solutions
HR isn’t just a back-office function. For growing businesses, it’s the backbone of sustainable growth. But all too often, founders are forced to choose between expensive corporate-style HR support and DIY approaches that don’t scale.
That’s exactly the gap Jivan Dempsey set out to close with FiveRivers HR.
With years of hands-on experience in HR and leadership, Jivan founded FiveRivers HR with a clear mission – to bring high-impact, affordable HR expertise to growing businesses at the exact moment they need it most – during the critical phase of acceleration.
We sit down with Jivan to explore what drives her and to reshape how growing businesses think about HR, not as a box to tick, but as a tool to thrive.
“Scaling a business is hard enough. What worked well when you were a team of 5 will fall over when you’re a team of say, 25. Those informal ways of hiring, managing your teams, communicating start to crumble and before you know it, you’re spending more time fixing people problems than growing your business.”
“That’s when you need HR, not to simply manage red tape, but as an accelerator. HR shouldn’t be the thing that slows you down but help you accelerate with fewer risks.”
From HR Leader to Founder
Jivan’s journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t about ego. It was about delivering impact.
“I’ve worked across multiple sectors and always seen the function as a neglected and undervalued function. It was a cost and I didn’t want to carry on in that way anymore when it could be better. I didn’t want HR to be an afterthought, nor seen as compliance or firefighting. HR is a strategic lever to set strong, people-first foundations so businesses can scale confidently, retain talent, and protect what other founders have worked so hard already to build.”
She also knows growing businesses aren’t all the same and need tailored, practical, right-sized support.
“Growing businesses don’t need cookie-cutter solutions. They need HR solutions that work for their business from someone who understands their challenges.”
Strategy driven, people focused
Every engagement starts with a strategy. A getting to know you.
“I like to work with founders and leadership teams starting with a HR “health check” to understand their business, their vision for growth and goals, what it’s like to work within the business and the challenges and pressure points. That way I can provide tailored HR solutions that support growth.”
Whether that’s setting up people systems, processes, navigating complex employee issues, hiring smart, or developing leadership capabilities, FiveRivers HR is built to grow with you and not weigh you down.
The Mission Behind the Name
Why FiveRivers HR?
“I’m often asked that question. The name is personal, reflecting flow, movement connection, and movement. I bring these to each of my client partnerships. These qualities are important because when your HR is aligned with your business strategy, that’s when growth – and trust – flows. That’s what I’m here to create.”
What’s Next?
Every business hits that critical growth phase. As teams expand, the stakes get higher and the margin for error gets thinner.
The founder can’t be across everything.
Yes, it’s exciting, but without the right HR solutions, it can also be the most vulnerable – and the cracks start to show.
“This is where we can step in to help. We can support founders move through this phase with confidence. We put the right HR foundations in place like smart hiring, processes and procedures, clear structures, training and the support leaders need to scale without burning out or losing control.”
If your business is entering that critical growth phase, now is the time to act.
Let’s talk about how FiveRivers HR can help you scale smoothly and set your business up for success.