We recently connected with Takenya Warren and have shared our conversation below.

Takenya, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?

In the very beginning, it was just me with lots of ideas, goals, and administrative tasks. My initial thought was to automate as much as possible so that I could serve clients seamlessly. Needless to say, I still made the ultimate decision, I needed helping hands. My approach to hiring for myself is the same I have for my clients. I am seeking the candidate that has the most relevant experience or potential. My process is slightly unconventional as I look forward to hearing the expectations each candidate has of me and their work boundaries. I do not focus on disqualifiers other recruiters may take into consideration, such as gaps in employments or request for non-traditional working hours. I want each potential employee to feel encouraged to share what type of work environment works best for them. It was most important for me to find someone who understood our mission and had a passion for helping others. I was very fortunate to find two great individuals that helped further build out and grow the company in the last 24 months. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Takenya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I had the fortunate opportunity to work in the financial industry the last 17 years. My experience working for some of the top banks in the industry prepared me for my role today. Covid impacted me in a very significant way and motivated me to create opportunities for people to obtain employment at livable wages. I provide temporary staffing and recruiting services to client’s so they can keep their businesses running smoothly and continue to meet the daily demands of their customers. My desire to satisfy the employee and employer is unique. I am not solely looking for individuals to address headcounts. My goal is to place the employee in a work environment in which they can be successful, so that everyone (employee and employer) is satisfied.

The one thing I would like to let potential clients know is that not all staffing agencies are the same. We will truly be with you every step of the way from the initial consultation until your needs are fulfilled satisfactorily. We understand the impact and significance of the hiring process. The way we do business and work is changing, we are here to help.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Hand’s down, word of mouth has been the best source for new clients. No matter how big or small the job is, always provide the best service possible. Our first year in business, we received a request from a client who was is need of one part time human resource administrator for a 30-day period. The client extended the contract for an additional 6 months. Also, they referred us to a colleague, who had a much greater and on-going need, who we still do business with today.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

First, I want to encourage all small business owners to promote their product and services. I know it can be challenging to find resources or even opportunities. However, the best advice I can give to grow your business is to be consistent in asking people if they are in need of your services or products. Do not be afraid to ask the question. For example, if there is a discussion that ties into my services, I use it to ask a simple question or provide a solution to a problem related to our services. “Do you need help with staffing?”, “Have you ever considered hiring contractors?” If you are ever in need of X in the future, we can provide Y. I recently had a client with a very similar need, here is my card if you’re interested don’t hesitate to reach out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.distinctivestaffing.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/distinctivestaffingsservicesTX
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/distinctive-staffing-services-tx/