When Suzanne Justice founded Blake Rian Consulting in 2018, she had already worked in the staffing industry for over 14 years, placing tens of thousands of candidates in their dream jobs. A working mother with a 15-month old and another child on the way, Suzanne bravely set out to pursue her dream of owning a business.
With a clear vision of entrepreneurship and a desire to forge stronger, more meaningful relationships with clients, Blake Rian (Suzanne’s company as well as her daughter who shares the same name) was born.
In just two years, her business has grown from an impassioned concept incorporated in her living room to a multi-location enterprise with offices in Newport Beach and Bellevue, Washington with a third one planned for Austin, TX. The busy mom and successful businesswoman took some time to answer questions about starting a business, the challenges, the successes, and more.
Can you tell us a little about your company and the services you offer?
Blake Rian Consulting offers unparalleled hiring services to place the right people with the right companies. Whether you are looking to hire new staff or find your next career we are happy to offer you our services.
We provide an efficient, effective, and enjoyable experience to job seekers as well as employers. We are a Certified Woman Owned company with over 14 years of experience partnering with clients in all industries nationwide. Our team knows that a resume is important, but it is just a blueprint of someone’s experience. Our job is to understand the needs of the employers and job seekers to help bring together the perfect match in expertise, skill, and company culture fit.
Our vision is to build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with all our clients. We become your business partner throughout the hiring process. Our success is a result of our commitment to the best people, the best solutions, and the best results.
Our partnership includes Contract, Direct Hire, Payroll Services, and Managed Services opportunities. Every team member is committed to providing you, our clients, with an experience that is focused on what you value most.
“We firmly believe it is not about putting someone in the seat. It is about finding the right fit.”
Our Corporate Headquarters are located in Bellevue, WA and we have a location in Newport Beach, CA.
What prompted you to start your own business?
I realized that after years of leading high performing teams for other large staffing companies, the goal became more about the bottom-line profit vs partnering with our clients. I observed companies overcharging clients or underpaying talent to ensure they hit their profit margins. In a sense, staffing became a bad word. I wanted to break that cycle and the best way to do that was to start my own company.
Blake Rian Consulting began in 2018. With a 15-month-old son at home and one on the way, I decided to conquer my fear and in turn realized my dream of entrepreneurship. I decided to name the company after my soon to be daughter, Blake Rian. Blake Rian Consulting was even incorporated directly in my living room.
I incorporated my vision of building meaningful, long-lasting relationships and created a vision for my company. The company’s main goal is to partner with our clients and candidates to truly understand what each side is looking to achieve during the hiring process. I am a firm believer that although a resume is important, it is no more than a basic blueprint of someone’s experience. I found that by sharing a candidate’s story with my clients, they get a better understanding of the candidate’s unique contribution. I bring clarity to my clients, so they gain an understanding of what they really need in an employee, which is not always what the client originally envisioned.
What were some of the challenges with starting a business and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges, when I started my business, was balancing family time and work. I had to be very mindful of my time and where it was allotted. That is still a challenge and one that I do not think will ever really go away
How does Blake Rian distinguish itself from competitors in the industry?
One of the reasons I wanted to start my own business was to fit into my client’s hiring process versus telling them they must fit into our process. We take the time to truly understand the needs of our client’s business and how we can be a valuable partner. That is how I came up with my motto –
“We firmly believe it is not about putting someone in the seat. It is about finding the right fit.”
What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is helping both the clients and the candidates, it sets us apart as we care about these parties equally. Just the other day a candidate I placed over 5 years ago, reached out to thank me for helping him find a job. He said he wanted to wish my family well during the Covid-19 pandemic, but he also assumed I would not know who he was. I told him I not only remembered when I placed him but I also who he was. Blake Rian Consulting is not just putting bodies in seats, we genuinely care about the people we are working with and are acutely aware of the impact we have on their lives as a whole not just in business. It really is an amazing feeling knowing you helped someone take care of their family. These are the moments that remind me why I love this industry and stories like his are what make the long hours and hard work worth it.
The same goes for my business clients, when I know we helped them fill a valuable need in their organization. The work we do is incredibly rewarding.
What kind of advice can you offer others who might be thinking of starting a business of their own?
Find what you’re passionate about and take the leap! Of course, do your research but, as they say, you’ll never work a day in your life if you do something you love.
How has your company/staff adapted to the current COVID-19 pandemic?
We continue to adapt every day as things are ever-changing. The ability to be flexible and partner with our clients as their business needs change is the most important action we can take.
What kind of advice would you offer a company that is trying to find the right individual to fill a position?
Give us a call and learn how we can partner with you!
Name one thing you learned after starting your own business.
I learned that when you truly believe in something and are passionate about it anything is possible. As long as you hold onto that and let it guide you, success will follow.
What would you say is the secret of your success and how do you motivate yourself?
The secret of my success is hard work and tenacity. My motivation is my family, ultimately my goal is to build a legacy for my children.
What are your plans/goals for the rest of 2020? Or What is your outlook for the rest of 2020?
My plans for 2020 are to continue building my business in California and Washington. The goal for the end of the year is to open an office in Austin, TX.
Helping and participating in our community is especially important to us. We support girls in STEM and non-profit organizations in both California and Washington. During this COVID-19 pandemic, we have partnered with other organizations to provide PPE for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
I am hopeful that in the next few months the world will see a safe return to normalcy. Until then, we will continue to do what we can to support our clients and the communities around us during this difficult time.
For more information about Blake Rian Consulting, contact info@blakerianconsulting.com or visit them online at blakerianconsulting.com