Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in human resources but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anne Rush, Founder, and CEO of Elasta Jobs, located in Newton, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Elasta Jobs provides HR consulting for startups, small and mid-sized organizations nationwide. Our clients recognize the importance of their talent and are looking for support to tackle talent initiatives (e.g., retention efforts) or to scale their talent team in high-growth environments. We have a trusted network of highly skilled consultants with experience across a wide array of industries. A key differentiator when working with Elasta Jobs is our deep subject matter expertise and the hands-on services we provide.

Tell us about yourself

I spent the majority of my career in Corporate America and was fortunate to hold Executive roles across HR, Business Operations, and Technology Product Management. During the COVID pandemic, I began to reflect on my career and what I wanted to do next. I knew I wanted meaningful work that was intellectually challenging but also wanted greater flexibility.

I saw the trends of people leaving the workforce for the gig economy, and I knew I wasn't alone. I started Elasta Jobs with the goal of identifying mutually beneficial solutions for independent consultants and companies. I quickly realized that most freelancers are faced with two choices – spend significant time marketing and seeking freelancing work or pay significant overhead to consult companies or digital marketplaces. I set out to build a solution that all could benefit from. Freelancing provides great flexibility, but freelancers shouldn't need to pay exorbitant fees to find work. Companies need skilled talent on demand, but finding the right fit quickly can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Why not solve both by creating a network of skilled HR consultants and matching these consultants to each client's unique needs?

My ten-year-old daughter is my biggest motivator. She has helped me with Elasta Jobs from the start, including the name and the website. I want to show her that through hard work and dedication, women can have career success, including being CEO!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is the talent network that we've been able to assemble at Elasta Jobs. Each of the consultants in our network is vetted up front, incredibly talented, and freelancing because it is the best fit for them personally and professionally. It is an honor that they are interested in working through Elasta Jobs, and it is very rewarding to provide superior consulting services to our clients through these skilled professionals.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Going from a Fortune 100 company with 50,000 employees to a small business owner comes with a huge learning curve. You don't have multiple departments like IT, Marketing, and Business Development supporting you. It can feel daunting. Luckily, I have found other entrepreneurs very willing to share lessons learned, best practices, and even their favorite tech tools. I realized as a small business owner; you aren't alone when you leverage many of the wonderful networks that are out there to support small businesses.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Celebrate the small wins along the way. Building a business is hard work, and it takes a while to see success. It's important to set short and mid-term goals that you celebrate as you work to grow your business.
  2. Establish trusted advisors who will help you along the way. If possible, identify advisors who will have a variety of perspectives and knowledge across different disciplines. This will ensure that your advisors challenge you to think from all angles.
  3. Embrace the small business networks and resources that are in your community. I have learned so much from those who are further along in the journey. In the last few months, it has been exciting to have people begin to come to me for advice as well!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://elastajobs.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elastajobs/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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