Meet Paula Benne of C & S Business Services, INC. C&S Business Services is a locally owned and operated staffing agency serving Mid-Missouri since 1977. Throughout our over 40 years in business, C&S has established a strong reputation in central Missouri for providing quality employment solutions for both the clients and employees we serve.
Q. What is your product or service?
A. Services provided by C&S Business Services include temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct hire employment across multiple industries in multiple counties. C&S has assisted countless individuals find full-time and part-time jobs, as well as seasonal, contract and temporary work. C&S specializes in placing employees in a variety of jobs (including administrative, government manufacturing, IT, accounting, warehousing, clerical, professionals and more).
Q. How any employees do you have? How many locations?
A. C&S has approximately 500 employees places on assignment at various businesses and locations in the Central Missouri. In addition, C&S has 10 full-time staff at the C&S Business Services office at 1731 Southridge Drive in Jefferson City.
Q. What is the name of your business and why?
A. C&S Business Services Inc., previously know as C&S Secretarial Services, was established in 1977 by Carolyn and Scott Thompson and was the first staffing service to introduce employment services in Jefferson City and the surrounding area. In 1989, I purchased C&S and C&S has remained a local woman-owned business. At that time, C&S focused primarily on providing temporary clerical services. Since them, C&S has continued to grow (expanding its services, staff, and facility) and is a full-service provider of quality employment solutions in Central Missouri. C&S was the first company to introduce and aggressively develop the staffing industry in the Mid-Missouri area.
Q. When and how did your business get started?
A. Back in 1989 when I was on maternity leave from my job and I felt strongly that it was time for me todo something different. I had a friends, Cheryl Broyles, who was selling her business at that time and my sister, Penny, worked for Cheryl. I thought C&S would be a good fit for me so I did my research, sought out funding (MO Bucks loan) and tools the leap! I admit my family was hesitant but they supported my decision to purchase C&S. My sister Penny, also helped to make the transition easier for me.
Q. What’s been your biggest failure/struggle - how did you overcome it?
A. I guess my biggest struggle was adjusting to being a new mother and a new business owner at the same time! My mother was very supportive and watched my daughter so I could establish and run my business. My sister, Penny, also helped me learn the business since she had experienced working there.
Q. How do you define success & how do you celebrate a win?
A. Success is when others around you succeed. At C&S, we work closely as a team (celebrating our victories together and working through difficulties together).
Q. What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Learn how to delegate. It’s tough to learn but it really helps and enables me to prioritize.
Be skilled in both the front end of your business as well as the back end of your business.
Build your staff to compliment your and your mission.
Q. What’s your favorite part of your business?
A. Helping people. I love hearing the success stories about employees that find the perfect fit in their job placement through C&S, about employers who trust C&S with their staffing, and about the people in the community that appreciate how C&S has helped them.
Q. What kind of culture exists in your organization and how did you establish it?
A. It is kind of like and “old marriage” at C&S. We trust each other that the job is getting done, we are all accountable and responsible for our jobs, we support and help each other out and there’s no need to micromanage.
Q. What are your future goals? 1 year? 5 years? 10 years?
A. I see C&S continuing to grow and continuing to be a leader in staffing while supporting the growth of out community.
Q. What quote or motto do you live by?
A. “The issue of an adequate workforce is not just a ‘today’ problem but it is also a ‘tomorrow’ problem if we don’t do something today.”
Q. How is community involvement important to your business?
A. Community involvement and giving back to the community is a priority to C&S Business Services. C&S is actively involved in the Callaway and Jefferson City Area Chambers of Commerce, the Jefferson City East Side and West Side Business Associations, as well as an active participant supporting a wide variety of charitable organizations and local causes.
Q. What are you most thankful for in your business?
A. I’m so thankful for my staff, our business partners and all our employees!
Q. What are the advantages of being a business owner in Jefferson City?
A. Jefferson City is the size and type of community that allows us to get to know our customers and they get to know and trust us. Our city is a great place to build lasting business and personal relationships.
Q. If people are looking to hire your industry what would you tell them to look for?
A. If someone was searching for a staffing service, I would suggest they check the longevity of the business and their staff, as about their community involvement and how they support those in the community. I would also suggest getting referrals.
Q. Do you have any advice for those just getting started?
A. I believe that networking ins important getting started in business and should be something that a business continues to do to be successful. I strongly suggest getting involved in the local chamber of commerce and other civic organizations.
Q. Who are your biggest supporters?
A. I am very grateful for my family and my staff who are my biggest supporters!
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