A Woman Owned Business / April 2005
Successful Solutions
 Lisa Ferrel, Tammy Copeland,
Rhoda Stevens, Bridget Gillispie |
By Pat Lawrence
Maybe it's a man's world, but the four women at Employment and Training Solutions make it work for them.
ETS specializes in staffing skilled and unskilled positions in manufacturing, construction and heavy industry. Manager and owner Lisa Ferrell assumed control of the family owned business in 2004 and relocated the offices from Charleston to St. Albans. Since then, it has grown from a payroll of $23,000 a quarter to $100,000 a month.
Lisa says, “We make it very easy for companies to find the right people and our rates are very reasonable. Everyone that is hired goes on our payroll, so our client companies also save the expense and headache of worker's compensation costs, payroll taxes and liability. It's especially attractive for small companies. The W-2's and all payroll obligations are handled through our office. The client company simply sends us a time sheet each week and we take care of the rest.”
Companies of every size take advantage of the benefits. Lisa says, “We have staffed 30-40 people at a time for some firms. Others may just need a few laborers or some welders or general construction workers. We have about 75 employees on the payroll now, but that varies.” ETS maintains contract relationships with over twenty-five companies, mainly in the Charleston area.
Lisa says, “We only send top quality employees and we interview each applicant personally.” The company advertises online and in print to fill specific positions. At the client company's request they complete background checks and arrange for drug testing. “No one can say there's no work in West Virginia. Last week, we put in sixteen ad for seventy five jobs.”
The new employees have immediate access to full health benefits, from major medical to dental and supplemental insurance. Employees don't pay a fee for their placement. According to Lisa, most of the workers they hire eventually become full time employees of the client company, something they encourage. “While they are on our payroll, the company can evaluate their ability and skills before hiring them permanently.”
Although most applicants are men applying for traditionally male jobs, Bridget Gillispie registered for a position with ETS last year and is now the company's sales and recruiting manager. Lisa says, “No one could work harder than she does. She's very professional and just has a way of connecting with these heavy-duty industrial clients.
Lisa says, “I didn't actually intend to have an all woman office. It just worked out that way. Rhoda Stevens responded to the press release announcing our move to St. Albans. With her experience and attitude it was obvious she would be a wonderful addition and I hired her that day. Now she's the Servicing Account Manager, and she handles all her responsibilities meticulously.
Tammy Copeland was a long-time close friend of Lisa's. “ I have four children and needed full time help at the office. Tammy had office management experience, and wasn’t happy at her job, so she came on board with us. She has been invaluable in handling the front office, welcoming guests and making certain everything runs smoothly.”
Lisa worked for years in the insurance business, first in claims and later as an agent. “I quit and was a stay-at-home-mom for five years. I thought I didn't like sales. But, I love this kind of sales!”
She was determined to make Employment and Training Solutions grow. Together the four women, all under forty and all but Lisa single mothers, have exceeded even her highest expectations. The company has just signed a two-year contract with a major manufacturing company and Lisa is ready to set a goal of $3 Million for next year. She says, “This job is really about helping people. That’s what makes it worthwhile. I think the people in the office here are why we’re seeing such success. We all think this is the best job we've ever had.”
For more information, contact ETS, (304) 727-3334.
Copyright © 2005-2006 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
Femme Fair 2006
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