Ampleo provides small businesses with flexible, scalable HR, finance, marketing, valuation, and sales tax solutions here in Orange County—delivering the right amount of HR at the right time to fuel growth without the overhead.

The firm is an important part of the Orange County tech startup ecosystem, and a Bronze Sponsor of the OC Startup Council.

Enjoy this exclusive interview with Abby Martin, President, to learn more about what Ampleo does and how their work is helping local founders and startup companies succeed in Orange County:

What are the specialties of your firm?

Amplēo HR specializes in recruiting, benefits, and payroll solutions—helping small businesses build, support, and retain high-performing teams. From hiring the right talent to streamlining payroll and crafting competitive benefits packages, we empower businesses to focus on growth while we handle the complexities of workforce management.

Who are the clients you can help the most?

We specialize in guiding small businesses through their most critical transitions - whether navigating leadership changes that can disrupt company culture or scaling teams during rapid growth phases. These are the moments when having the right HR infrastructure makes the difference between chaotic growing pains and intentional, sustainable growth. We become the steady hand that helps organizations maintain their identity while building the people systems needed for their next chapter.

What's the most common problem you help startup founders with?

​​We solve the 'HR whiplash' so many growing companies face. We build complete HR infrastructure from the ground up: bulletproof compliance to keep them safe, strategic recruiting to attract top talent, and retention systems to keep their best people engaged. It's about creating the foundation that lets founders sleep at night while their business scales.

Why do you enjoy working with startups?

There’s an infectious energy to early-stage founders—that relentless passion to build something meaningful. It’s invigorating to be around, but more importantly, it’s rewarding to help them sidestep the HR pitfalls that derail so many young companies. We don’t just 'handle HR' for them; we give them back the time and mental bandwidth to focus on what really matters—growing their business.

How did you get into your current job?

After 20 years in corporate HR, I realized something: small businesses were getting the short end of the stick. They either hired a full-time HR person (and often had 'too much' HR for their needs) or they had nothing at all—just scrambling when problems arose. That's why I left corporate 2.5 years ago to build something different: on-demand HR that scales exactly when and how they need it. No wasted resources—just the right expertise at the right time. Now, our clients can 'turn up' HR during a hiring spree or 'turn it down' during quieter periods. It's the flexibility growing companies deserve, with the expertise they require.

Can you share a little history of your firm?

The Amplēo Group has been the backbone of small business operations for 30 years, originally providing fractional CFOs and accounting services. In 2023, we strategically expanded our ecosystem - I came onboard to launch the HR practice while we simultaneously added marketing services. Our most recent growth spurt is acquiring business valuation and sales tax capabilities within the last quarter. Today, we're the complete operational partner for small businesses, offering everything from your first hire to your eventual exit strategy - all under one roof.

What's your best advice for early stage entrepreneurs?

“Delegate to elevate.” Stop trying to do everything. Spend your time on the things that only YOU can do - your unique genius - and delegate the rest aggressively. Not just to employees, but to trusted partners, fractional experts, and advisors. Stop trying to become mediocre at HR, finance, and ops when you could be world-class at what actually moves the needle for your business.

What are some specialties, differentiators, or factors that make your firm good at what it does?

At Amplēo HR, we hold ourselves to a higher standard—it starts with our people. We only bring on elite HR consultants who live and breathe people strategy, not just policy. But what truly sets us apart is how we work: we don’t just advise from the sidelines. Our consultants embed themselves as part of your team—rolling up their sleeves to execute today while planning for tomorrow. Need someone to both design your talent strategy and run your next leadership training? That’s us.

Why have you chosen to work in Orange County?

You can’t beat the weather—it’s why I love Orange County. The outdoor lifestyle, the beach, the environment…it’s the perfect place to raise a family and build a business.

How big is your firm locally and nationally?

As part of the Amplēo Group, we leverage a national network of 250+ specialized service providers. Here in Southern California, we maintain a core local team of about 5% of the service providers.

Favorite OC restaurant

My favorite OC restaurant is Billy’s by the Beach—that iconic local joint right on the water. It’s been around forever for a reason: stiff drinks, that unbeatable ocean view, and their legendary cheese bread and coconut shrimp.

Anything else you would like to share?

What excites me most is the incredible potential of Orange County's startup ecosystem. Having worked in Southern California for years, I've seen how much untapped talent and opportunity exists here. The OC Startup Council represents exactly what our community needs - a legitimate hub to connect, collaborate and accelerate growth. I'm passionate about being part of building this infrastructure because when local startups succeed, it lifts our entire region. This isn't just about business; it's about creating an environment where innovation thrives and homegrown companies can compete on a national stage.

Why did your company join the OC Startup Council?

We joined the OC Startup Council for two equally important reasons. First, to connect with the incredible founders and innovators right here—nothing replaces face-to-face relationships. But more importantly, because I’m passionate about elevating Orange County.

Thanks to Abby Martin for sharing how Amplēo works with startups here in Orange County.

And, thanks again to Amplēo for their Bronze Sponsorship support of the OC Startup Council and our efforts to accelerate Orange County’s tech ecosystem.