Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Bickham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Rachel, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Bickham Services Unlimited LLC was started with the desire to help people find rewarding employment opportunities and make lasting professional connections. Initially, I started as a sole proprietor in 2012 focusing on administrative and project support services all while working a full-time job. After successfully hiring 1099 contractors to perform work on a Purchase Order, I quickly realized the impact it had on them being able to provide for themselves and their families. That’s when I knew I had what it took to transform the business into something that would make a greater impact on the lives of many. I continued to work full-time jobs while I was preparing to relaunch the business as a full-cycle staffing and recruiting agency with a focus on construction staffing. In 2017, I finally established my LLC.
In 2018, something (God/Universe) was telling me that my time working in corporate was up. It was time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life. Ever listened to the radio and a song played that aligned with what you were thinking or feeling? Then you get to where you’re going and there was a sign that said what you were thinking or feeling. Well, that was happening to me just about every day. I kept getting signs that it was time to step out on faith and do what I had prepared to do. My business was already established as an LLC, I had obtained my minority certifications and was networking with government agencies. But still, I had no contracts and wasn’t officially doing any business in Texas. I was still learning about staffing and failing miserably. I quickly realized that owning a staffing and recruiting business was more than just finding someone to do a job.
Before going into full business operations, I went to a meeting with two government agencies to present a draft staffing presentation. Each agency asked questions a true staffing company would and should know. I didn’t have the answers to any of them. I was ill-prepared. I felt embarrassed and uneducated about the industry I desperately wanted to be in. Rather than sulking in self-pity, I went home that day and researched every question they asked. I researched my competitors, staffing terminology, how to write a staffing proposal, etc. I didn’t know what I was doing although I was sure I wanted to do business with government agencies. I was just going off my passion and desire to help people provide for their families. So, when God told me to move but I didn’t have any contracts yet, I was scared. I was confused. I questioned Him numerous times but kept getting the same answer until I could no longer deny what he was calling me to do. It was time to go.
I worked in the oil and gas industry for one of the largest infrastructure companies. It was a good company to work for. The benefits were great and my boss was awesome. My coworkers kept me entertained so most days went by fast. I couldn’t believe what God was asking me to do. To leave the stability I had for the past 4 years. To step into something that I wasn’t an expert at yet and knew little about. At one point I thought I was losing my mind. I thought to myself, surely God isn’t telling me to just quit my job when I have no safety net. But that’s exactly what he was telling me to do. To take a leap of faith. Trust that He will take care of me as He always has. So, I told myself I was going to do it. If God said it was time to go, then it’s time to go.
It was an emotional month to follow. Knowing that I was leaving my team and would miss talking to them. It was also emotional because I was scared as to what my next steps were going to be. I had no clue how I was going to land a contract. I didn’t even have a contract agreement written up at the time. I felt as if I was closing my eyes, spreading my wings, and jumping off a cliff hoping I didn’t die. At the same time, I was happy, feeling liberated, and optimistic. If happy fear is a thing, that’s what I was feeling. I was ready for the next chapter in my life. I was trusting and believing that God would catch me and wouldn’t allow me to fall. Therefore, I jumped with my arms wide open.
5 years later, I’m still in business and survived the pandemic. I’ve been able to place job seekers with private, corporate, and government agencies. Recently I was told by someone I placed 2 years ago that he and his family’s life was drastically changed for the better after he was placed with one of my clients. It was a pleasant reminder of why I started my business and its mission to help people. I’m excited to see the company grow and to hear more testimonies like his.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Hi, I’m Rachel Bickham. I’m the founder and CEO of Bickham Services Unlimited LLC, a staffing and recruiting company located in Houston, Texas. I love making connections both personal and professional. I started the company to help people find rewarding employment opportunities and make lasting professional connections. I have over 20 years of success in working on multi-million-dollar projects for government, corporate, and private sector clients. My background in construction management, project management, and recruiting allows me to understand client operations and build high-performing teams which helps me run my business. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Strayer University. I’m also a Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) certified by the Construction Specification Institute of America (CSI), a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Alumni (Cohort 32), and a certified LGBTBE®. I’m an avid traveler, social networker, and a patron of the arts. I love helping people and giving back to my community through donations and volunteering.
My business, Bickham Services Unlimited, LLC, specializes in personalized staffing solutions for private and government clients by matching quality talent with opportunities. We provide top-quality temp-to-hire, temporary, long-term, and direct-hire placements. Our recruiting team has staffed in-demand professionals in the Construction, Information Technology, Industrial, Administrative, and Human Services industries.
As a certified minority and Woman Owned Small Business, Bickham Service’s recruiting and matching processes are key to our continued success in quickly and effectively supplying high-quality staff. We have established a wide network of diverse high achievers. Through this well-established diversity network, our firm has been able to identify and qualify the best and the brightest talent and interest them in opportunities with the organizations we serve. By implementing a staffing and recruiting plan that aligns with the latest industry trends in technology, skill demands, and compensation, Bickham Services can take environmental factors, organizational structure and culture, job responsibilities, and business objectives into consideration to obtain the best-qualified candidates. Our team of recruiters is experienced in the industries we serve and, therefore understands the importance of having experienced competent personnel from both risk management and operational standpoints.
Like many organizations, my business was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as companies began to lay off employees and place a hiring freeze on all open positions. All of our staffing contracts were placed on indefinite hold due to the worldwide lockdown. It was a challenging time but we managed to get through it. We finally landed a federal staffing subcontract after six long grueling months of no work. Revenue eventually increased by over 400% in 2021 compared to 2020. I’m extremely proud of the resilience we showed amid a crisis. Many businesses were forced to close their doors and never reopened but we managed to survive and thrive in the aftermath. We’re still feeling the economic impact of the pandemic, yet we continue to overcome each obstacle faced with tenacity and resilience.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
The best source of new clients for me has been through networking, relationship building, and word of mouth. I’ve met current and past clients through events hosted by supplier development agencies such as the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC), Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA), and the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum to name a few. Their events are great opportunities to network with their corporate sponsors, government agencies, members, and other businesses with which we could do business or partnerships.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bickhamservices.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BickhamServicesUltd
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bickham-services-unlimited-llc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bickham-services-unlimited-houston