CEO Profile: Alison Milioto, Blue Lion LLC
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lison Milioto is a true New Hampshire native. She was born and raised in Dunbarton, NH where her family raised goats and dogs. Her father has been a dedicated police officer for over 30 years with the Dunbarton Police Department, and her Mom has served as the Dunbarton’s treasurer for over 30 years. Growing up in a small community Alison has always had a love for small business and giving back. As the owner of BlueLion, she dedicates 1% of her companies’ services, profit, and time to their community.
She personally has served as a volunteer with Make-A-Wish New Hampshire as a Wish Granter for over 7 years and is currently serving as a board member. She assists with
coordinating and participating in their largest fundraiser Rafting-for-Wishes. In 2022 her BlueLion team raised over $17,000, making a child in NH’s wish come to life.
Alison is also a member of 100 Women Who Care Southern NH, a group of women who gather each quarter and through their collective donations, provide a local charity with over $10,000! During the holiday season, her company participates in what she calls Season of Giving, where they select a local non-profit or group of underserved people and bring them some holiday cheer, at a time where they may feel forgotten.
Alison graduated from UNH with her undergrad and MBA. She then went on to dedicate 9 years with a local Third-Party Benefit company in Manchester, working her way up the latter of success with hard work and dedication to become their Vice President of Operations.
In 2018 Alison decided that there were many underserved small businesses in her community who needed custom Human Resource services, and decided to open BlueLion, an HR Consulting firm, with her business partner and co-founder Toni. Since 2018 Alison has been able to grow BlueLion to a strong team of 13 individuals, all of whom are remote employees, working in NH, MA, ME, and NC. Her team supports small businesses in all their HR needs such as recruiting, onboarding, employee management, benefits, payroll, and terminations.
When Alison is not volunteering her time or running her business, she is bike riding one of many NH rail trails, walking her dog Kona, or spending time with her significant other snowmobiling in Maine.
What makes your company or work environment unique?
BlueLion specializes in customizing their HR experience. They do not offer a one size package fits all. Every service comes a-la-carte.
What accomplishments within your company are you most proud of?
There is a sense of pride knowing that a business which started out with two owners is now able in less than 5 years to provide a place of employment for over 13 team members and meeting those team members where they need to provide a healthy, and flexible work environment.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming leaders in the greater Manchester community?
Surround yourself with great mentors and leaders. I am a strong believer you excel faster with a team and guidance from others. Also, it is ok to fail, if you are doing it right, you will fail often. It is about getting back up and trying something different. If you aren’t stumbling, your goals aren’t high enough!
