29 Years and Counting

When you think about your career, what do you think of? How do you reflect on when you started, how you started, and mostly, why you started what you did? Did you do it on purpose? Did you fall into it or did you spend 3 hours listening with intent and intrigue with an intelligent, and passionate woman who sincerely loved her career? I did that. Laurie sold me; ok, scared the crap out of me too, but intrigued me enough to at least give it try. 

November 2, 1992, I joined an agency that was going places. I learned how to become a Professional Recruiter, Full Desk, thank you very much. And that meant, create roles, create long lasting relationships-solid ones, and not just because you had to, but because I was also building trust with each person I spoke to. I was taught how to get people a career or at least a job, and I helped companies put people in empty seats. I pushed for our company to start having all fees paid by the employer and not the applicant. Eight months later, I was very happy to see that it was moving in the right direction. 

Present Day. 

Who would have thunk that in 29 years I would be running my own agency? Not me, that is for sure. I never dreamed of being a woman business owner, (side note, and now I sit on the board of Woman Business Owners Network). I never wanted it, never thought about it. And yet, when your forced to make a decision to either become someone you’re not or choose to be true to yourself and your values, you dive in, headfirst and just see if you can keep swimming. 

I can swim laps around anyone now!! (Not really, but it sounds good, right?)

People do and feel so many wonderful things in our life: They keep our smiles going, our hearts a flutter and our minds working. I am in the business of people. I never once thought of myself as a people person, just a person who has been through a lot in her life and is ready to share for anyone who wants to listen. And I like to share my wisdom. (And stop laughing to those that know me the best!!!) I have become a leader in my industry because I am smart and I put people first. I like to learn about my craft, I like to see the changes that are going on at all times and I want to be able to share my knowledge so others can prosper from what I share with them. 

29 years ago, I learned new skills and forged a career that will keep me happy for another number of years. I learned about me, I raised two amazing children on my own, and mostly, I started to believe in myself. 

Sure, I have stories, lots of crazy ass stories in fact, but this is not the place. I should do a podcast on interviews that went South!! What do you think?

What I want to share with you all today, 29 years ago I started a journey that I’m still on; on that is ever evolving, and I could not be more thrilled about seeing where I go from here. 

I’ve learned about people, how to help them, listen and hear them and mostly, how to guide them to where they want to be; and yes, that includes hiring managers and owners of companies. I have established myself into the recruiting world as an honest, kind and direct person and is very proud of her reputation. I continue to learn about people, learn what we are doing wrong and what we are doing right. A lot of people have “choice words” when describing other recruiters, and I can’t stop them nor blame them at times. But I am not everyone, I am me. I am resilient and also fragile. (I am a woman, so there is that). I have had my ups and downs, my rewards and failures, and thankfully, I still have them all. 

Mymotto is, “do me, and no one else.” I know my flaws and at times I actually embrace them instead of fighting them. Why? Because I am a human. We all have them; I am just lucky enough to know when I am going through them that allows me to use them to my advantage. I am constantly learning more about me as I am constantly learning about others. I have a circle of loved friends and family, some amazing acquaintances, and colleagues that I can lean on, ask for help and in return, they can do the same to me.  

I respect that I can help our Military in a few ways, and for that, I am forever grateful. I believe in the motto, “Pay it forward”. I wish all people did. 

So, for 29 years, I’ve learned to like myself, respect myself, and worry about myself. I’m a proud, single woman business owner. 

What do I want my kids to know that they don’t know already? (We share a lot, really, a lot!!) That my journey in recruiting has been one that I have never imagined. I didn’t go to school to become a recruiter, I got schooled on how to become a recruiter. You two have paved your way in your journey, and for that, as your Mama, I could not be more proud or happy that you found your path. (At least for now).

As for the next few years before I start to think about a new journey for myself, I want to continue to make people happy, find their voice and confidence and for business owners to know that I care, I have eyes everywhere and trusting a smart, reliable, and honest recruiter will get you further in your company than most. 

To any “want to be a recruiter because it looks like fun” hopefuls out there, talk to others. Just like any industry, we have our good, bad, and indifferent. We represent people, regardless of how you look at it; people are what makes us. People count on us doing the right thing. So do the right thing, always!

So, for all you are reading this, be kind, dream with vision, have a purpose and know your value. 

I value you all, and thank you for being part of my continuous journey. 

Want more, you know where to find me😊