Meet Sheela Abdi | Founder & CEO of Limitless HR Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheela Abdi and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheela, is there something you believe many others might not?
*One piece of conventional advice I heard early in my career was: Don’t get too close. Don’t be too soft. Keep a professional distance if you want to be respected as a leader.”

Early on in my career as a growing HR excutive and people operations leader, I learned a specific type of role we were set to play within an organization; always acting as a separate but aligned member of each team I was on. Things such as ‘don’t tell them too much about you” or “your conversation style is too casual” were constantly hammered in to over the years, always being reminded that we don’t handle things that way here or and being advised to change my leadship style to match the leaders around me. None of that ever resonated with me when I tried it—briefly—and found myself performing a version of leadership that didn’t feel human. When you’re working in HR, especially supporting teams through tough, deeply personal moments like promotions, terminations, or other employer concerns, authenticity matters. I realized my potential was never going to be met in the roles I was playing, regardless of the outward success we were creating or the titles I held.

Once I branched out to launch Limitless HR Group, I was able to redifine the guideposts of my own career. We prioritize people and precision, and have been building a business that reflects how I believe HR should feel—approachable, trusted, and unapologetically human.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m the founder and CEO of Limitless HR Group, a Los Angeles based people operations agency bringing over 20 years of experience to the companies we service. With an eclectic background in the entertainment, lifestyle, and tech industries, I’ve been able to work with the full spectrum of startups and corporations alike and bring that expertise to my clients.

It hasn’t been easy, starting from scratch to build something for myself, but it was finally time to take control of this industry and shake things up a bit. We’ve shifted the narratives and culture around HR representation, and have since become known for bringing innovative, out-of-the-box HR strategies to small and mid-sized businesses on the global stage.

Limitless HR Group was born from a rebellion against the norms of our industry. I wanted to create a space where leadership doesn’t mean detachment and compliance doesn’t mean rigidity. We are a company where empathy and excellence can co-exist while curating company culture for our clients.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There’s so much to do and so little time! I’m routinely entertaining out of town guests, so I’ve learned that the best visits are those that include their interests, as well as introduce them to new experiences. I’m an OC gal at heart, having grown up in Anaheim Hills, so we’d have to spend our first day at the most beautiful little beach town there in Orange County, Laguna Beach. We’d grab some coffees and yummy baked goods at Urth Cafe and spend the day relaxing on the sand at 1000 Step Beach. From there it’s a late lunch, getting tacos at El Ranchito, a Mexican food spot I’ve been eating at since I was a kid. To end our day, we can check out some of the local art galleries and beachside boutiques since it’s such a lovely, walkable city and so pretty around sunset hours.

For Friday, we’s start heading north towards Marina Del Rey and west LA, which is always a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. We can start the day getting some fresh air walking along the Venice Canals, do some more beachside shopping, and maybe checkout a park nearby that I know has live music from time to time. I always love taking guests for late afternoon drinks at Briso, located on the rooftop bar of the MDR Marriott. It’s quieter than other rooftop vibes you’ll find in LA and overlooks the entire area. It’s just a lovely place relax and take it all in.

And finally, we’d have to spend some time in Hollywood. First things first, I love hiking Griffith Park when I’m in close by, which is also great for seeing the Hollywood sign from up there, as well as some amazing views from the Griffith Observatory. Now that we’ve worked up an appetite, we’re off to grab a nice brunch in Weho or on Beverly to give them the full LA day, maybe run into a celeb in the wild! If they are into it, we could also plan for some nightlife and check out the hottest DJs in the world playing at Sound or Spotlight in Hollywood, since it’s a Saturday night.

That would wrap up a whirlwind of days hanging out and enjoying everything southern California has to offer, without overdoing it, and also leaving room for things they may have wanted to see while on their trip. I enjoy hosting, so curating these visits are a great way to see new things around LA I may never pay attention to and try new things.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom. She’s the role model and blueprint for so much of what I do today. Her courage and tenacity while I was growing up was inspiring. As an immigrant and a woman, entrepreneurship is even more difficult, and I watched her launch businesses and explore new opportunities while raising my brother and I, and she never missed a beat. Always there, always providing and loving us, as only she can.

Website: https://www.limitlesshrgroup.com/

Instagram: @itsmesheelaabdi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheelaabdi/

Image Credits
Sheela Abdi, personal collection for all photos used.