It’s hard to believe twenty years have passed by since I first started peoplezest! Two decades ago I left a company I loved, JPI—to go out on my own. Working there was one of the best experiences I have had in my career. The people I met there have afforded so many great relationships and opportunities. I am eternally grateful for the experience and lessons learned over the 13 years I spent there.
When I started peoplezest I was unsure of what exactly my vision was. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was passionate about and what I was great at—matching candidates and companies together.
I remember being so scared. We were in the middle of raising two kids and could not survive on one income. When I told my husband, EJ, what I wanted to do—his only answer was, “well, will we have to sell the house?” That got me laughing, which was his intention. Next, he said, “let’s go for it!” What a relief to have that kind of unconditional support. He believed in me when I really needed him to.
We cleared out the dining room and converted it to the peoplezest office. Summer soon approached and I could not afford child care. One of my besties for years jumped in and said, “let me have the honor of keeping the kids, our four girls deserve to be the best of friends.” I am so grateful for her and all of the support of my tribe along the way.
Going back to those relationships formed at JPI. It is what helped me immediately start bringing in revenue. One of my biggest champions at the company, Beth Thompson, had made a move to another growing company and it was growing fast without the infrastructure to keep up with staffing. Peoplezest had its first client. Soon followed by other referrals from relationships created by my efforts while at JPI.
Challenges of course, did come! It was quite an adjustment being a one woman show. I had many meetings where I held all sides of the conversations. Then the recession of 2008 came and had lasting impact through 2009 and 2010 as well. I remember talking with a colleague who also owned a recruitment firm and we commiserated in the fact that nobody would have known if we disconnected our office phones… I tightened my belt, put my head down and plowed ahead continuing to plant seeds. Peoplezest made it through but I sure did appreciate the fact that I had savings tucked away, (thanks for that life lesson Dad).
There have also been great years where new clients came in and the company made enough to invest back into itself. I am so proud to be among one of the women business owners in our industry. Having my own company allowed me to be fully invested in raising my kids. I do not think I missed a single sporting event, meet the teacher, open house, getting those driver's permits, seeing the girls get the acceptance letters into their dream colleges, and all of those moments in between. You never get that time back and I try to pay it forward. I never want a peoplezest team member to not put family first. I am proof….you can do both.
Looking back over 20 years I can honestly say I have loved just about every minute, good and bad, easy and hard. There have been ups and downs but all of it was experience that made me and peoplezest better. I have earned the continued business of many great clients and made some incredible matches with candidates and companies. The multi-family property management industry is truly an incredible field with so many smart people and profound difference makers who contribute to its growth and betterment.
The journey of peoplezest over the past 20 years has been a fun one to think about. One thing I did not intend to happen was that of my own deep personal reflection, which was a journey in itself. When I started the company I was searching to do front line work that made a difference in the career paths of people—that still holds true 20 years later, and with many more to go.
Thank you for being a part of the peoplezest story! We are looking forward to what the future brings and continuing with what we love, matching clients and candidates.