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“Hermie the HR Crab Has Legs”—Why Rich Cruz is Blending Humor, Art, and Business
What happens when your creative passion won’t leave you alone, even as you juggle work, consulting, and family responsibilities? In this episode of Cut The Tie, Thomas Helfrich reconnects with Rich Cruz—organizational development consultant, podcaster, and cartoonist—who is turning his lifelong love of art into something bigger than just a side project.
From a career in marketing to organizational psychology consulting, Rich has always carried the dream of being an animator. Now, with the launch of Hermie the HR Crab, he’s blending humor, workplace insights, and storytelling into a brand that goes beyond a comic strip—expanding into workshops, books, animations, and a growing YouTube presence.
About Rich Cruz
Rich Cruz is an organizational development consultant based in Chicago and the creator of Hermie the HR Crab. With a background spanning marketing, communications, and industrial-organizational psychology, he brings a unique mix of creativity and strategy to his work. He co-hosts the Harmonious Workplaces podcast and leads consulting engagements focused on improving culture, leadership, and organizational health. As a member of the National Cartoonists Society, Rich is pursuing his passion for blending art and business through Hermie, using humor to spotlight the challenges and quirks of workplace culture in a lighthearted yet meaningful way.
In this episode, Thomas and Rich discuss:
- The birth of Hermie the HR Crab → Inspired by a simple doodle for his youngest child, Hermie has grown into a cartoon series, a book, and an animated character. Rich shares how Hermie’s antics mirror real workplace dynamics, from leadership flaws to culture struggles.
- Balancing a side hustle with client work → Rich opens up about the challenges of growing a passion brand while managing consulting engagements. He reflects on lessons learned from past business failures, the impact of uncertainty in client work, and why his creative vision keeps him moving forward.
- Using humor to tackle workplace problemsHermie isn’t just for laughs—he’s a teaching tool. Rich describes how humor and cartoons help leaders and teams confront serious organizational issues in a way that is approachable, engaging, and memorable.
Key Takeaways
- Your past setbacks don’t define your future.
- Creativity is a business asset, not a distraction.
- Entertainment can be a tool for solving workplace problems.
- Confidence grows the more you practice it.
- Don’t wait for “perfect timing” to start.
Connect with Rich Cruz
📎 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardjacruz/
🌐 Website: https://www.harmoniousworkplaces.com
🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HarmoniousWorkplaces
Connect with Thomas Helfrich
🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/thelfirch
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cutthetie
📎 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomashelfich
🌐 Website: https://www.cutthetie.com
📧 Email: thomas@instantlyrelevant.com
🚀 Instantly Relevant: https://instantlyrelevant.com
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Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago