Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in human resources but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Patricia Cordova, Owner of Small Business Services, located in Memphis, TN, USA.

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

Small Business Services offer Environmental Staffing Solutions. Our customers are the environmental industry. Typically we work directly with contractors that have obtained city, state, federal, or private ecological contracts. The projects usually fall under one or more environmental industries: Utility Sector (Common utilities include water, sewer, storm drainage, manhole rehabilitation, electric, gas, trash, and recycling), Infrastructure (such as transportation systems, sewage, water, and school system), Building of Nuclear Energy, Treatment Plants and more. We encourage support from readers because of the specialty service we offer. The readers are more than supporters, they are helping the unemployed, underemployed, and others in their communities, family, friends, and others obtain skills and employment with great pay and benefits. Supporting our Environmental Staffing Solutions help encourage readers to engage and learn how to keep the environment clean and around for the next generation, which was entrusted to us from above.

Tell us about yourself

I started Small Business Services as a company that staffed multiple industries. However, one day I was asked if I was interested in offering a temporary workforce to an environmental company that had obtained a contract with a municipality. Well, I said yes, but little did I know it would be more than earning income for the business. Nevertheless, I staffed the project with the type of workers the customer wanted, but something happened. The customer Project Manager invited me to come and see the work performed. Well, I took him up on his offer, and wow, I was shocked and surprised at the type of work that resulted from human carelessness. Once I saw it, I knew I wanted to offer a specialty service to the contractors that offered a service with specialty equipment to clean up the environment. Therefore, after returning from the trip, I reorganized Small Business Services to provide a specialty staffing solution to the environmental industry. Now, I am motivated to help change the waste, pollution, and other wasteful damages we as a human has done to the earth by offering and recruiting certified and or licensed candidates to work with our customers that have obtained environmental contracts. The recruited workers will get a chance to see firsthand what humankind is doing to the earth and share with others.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is taking pride in the services we offer our customers. I am proud and thankful that my Heavenly Father's Holy Spirit lead me into the environmental staffing arena. Also, I am pleased that staffing the environmental industry motivated me to become the Founder of a Non-Profit business (Plumb Line Training, Inc.) recognized by the IRS as a 501c3. The non-profit organization recruit, train, certify, and license candidates to work in the environmental industry.

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

The hardest part of being a business owner is having the funds to outsource some of the administrative tasks, marketing, and funding. Other than that, I love it!

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

  1. Research the industry you are starting.
  2. Secure funding.
  3. Market the business properly- Get professional help if needed.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Starting a business can be as straightforward or complicated as you make it. I suggest you research the industry or hobby you enjoy doing to see if it is a good market. Also, you want to ensure you have the proper funding in place. I suggest workshops for start-ups to learn how to start your business. Always get professional help immediately before allowing things to spiral out of control. Finally, always seek help from the above before starting or stopping any project.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.sbsenvironmental.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smallbizserv
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3Q5qKwo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smallbizserv
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smallbizserv/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.