When Kathy and Earl Bell decided to purchase an existing Express Employment Professionals franchise in Parma, Ohio, they were stepping into a business with decades of history. The office had been operating for more than 25 years when the former owner decided to step away due to personal reasons.
Earl, who had spent nearly three decades in medical sales, saw an opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction. “I was in medical sales for 29 years, and COVID really changed what we could do,” he said. “A good friend of mine connected me to the previous owner, and it just felt like the right time to make a move.”
Earl’s career in medical sales gave him the experience of working with a wide range of people, from executives to frontline staff. That background helped him transition smoothly into franchise ownership. “I was meeting with owners of large nursing homes, independent dealers and staff on the floor,” he said. “It was easy for me to talk to people and plan for sales and marketing, so it was kind of an easy flip coming into this.”
Kathy, who was a retired teacher with experience in both elementary and special education, loved guiding and mentoring students. They quickly found that this translated well as an Express owner when coaching associates on the importance of how work can shape their future.
When the Bells took over, they quickly put their own stamp on the business. They were in the office every day, staying close to the work and making sure it reflected their values. They also reviewed the team and made adjustments so the culture lined up with their vision.
For the Bells, growth has been driven by personal connections. Earl makes it a point to visit worksites before bringing on new clients. “I’ll go visit them, check the work site, see what the attitude is there, what they’re looking for,” he said. “They did not do that in the past, and it’s really helped.” This extra step has not only won over new clients but also strengthened relationships with existing ones who appreciate the care and attention.
The same approach applies to job seekers. Earl makes sure candidates know that they matter. “Making it a one-on-one is the biggest thing,” he said. “People looking for work see that we really care about what they do and how they do things.”
While the Bells have brought their own energy to the business, they also credit the Express corporate team for providing resources that support their success. Earl points to weekly meetings with developers, strong training and the U.S.-based assistance center as key tools. “The training is wonderful,” he said. “The beginning is pretty tough, but there’s always support. If you need something, call the assistance center and they can point you in the right direction.”
This combination of corporate guidance and local initiative has helped the Bells strengthen their franchise while building new connections in their community.
Earl and Kathy see continued growth ahead. They are involving their staff in outreach, asking them to make calls and schedule meetings with businesses. That involvement not only helps the office expand its reach but also gives employees ownership in the success of the franchise.
With their hands-on approach, the Bells are building on the foundation of the franchise and opening the door to more opportunities for both job seekers and local businesses.
“We plan to actually involve the staff in making phone calls and connections with new businesses, said Earl. “They’ll schedule an appointment with me to meet with them and go from there.”
For more information on franchising with Express Employment Professionals, visit: https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
Express Employment Professionals
SPONSORED
With fresh vision and strategic growth initiatives, Earl Bell and his wife Kathy are expanding opportunities for job seekers and businesses alike.
When Kathy and Earl Bell decided to purchase an existing Express Employment Professionals franchise in Parma, Ohio, they were stepping into a business with decades of history. The office had been operating for more than 25 years when the former owner decided to step away due to personal reasons.
Earl, who had spent nearly three decades in medical sales, saw an opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction. “I was in medical sales for 29 years, and COVID really changed what we could do,” he said. “A good friend of mine connected me to the previous owner, and it just felt like the right time to make a move.”
Earl’s career in medical sales gave him the experience of working with a wide range of people, from executives to frontline staff. That background helped him transition smoothly into franchise ownership. “I was meeting with owners of large nursing homes, independent dealers and staff on the floor,” he said. “It was easy for me to talk to people and plan for sales and marketing, so it was kind of an easy flip coming into this.”
Kathy, who was a retired teacher with experience in both elementary and special education, loved guiding and mentoring students. They quickly found that this translated well as an Express owner when coaching associates on the importance of how work can shape their future.
When the Bells took over, they quickly put their own stamp on the business. They were in the office every day, staying close to the work and making sure it reflected their values. They also reviewed the team and made adjustments so the culture lined up with their vision.
For the Bells, growth has been driven by personal connections. Earl makes it a point to visit worksites before bringing on new clients. “I’ll go visit them, check the work site, see what the attitude is there, what they’re looking for,” he said. “They did not do that in the past, and it’s really helped.” This extra step has not only won over new clients but also strengthened relationships with existing ones who appreciate the care and attention.
The same approach applies to job seekers. Earl makes sure candidates know that they matter. “Making it a one-on-one is the biggest thing,” he said. “People looking for work see that we really care about what they do and how they do things.”
While the Bells have brought their own energy to the business, they also credit the Express corporate team for providing resources that support their success. Earl points to weekly meetings with developers, strong training and the U.S.-based assistance center as key tools. “The training is wonderful,” he said. “The beginning is pretty tough, but there’s always support. If you need something, call the assistance center and they can point you in the right direction.”
This combination of corporate guidance and local initiative has helped the Bells strengthen their franchise while building new connections in their community.
Earl and Kathy see continued growth ahead. They are involving their staff in outreach, asking them to make calls and schedule meetings with businesses. That involvement not only helps the office expand its reach but also gives employees ownership in the success of the franchise.
With their hands-on approach, the Bells are building on the foundation of the franchise and opening the door to more opportunities for both job seekers and local businesses.
“We plan to actually involve the staff in making phone calls and connections with new businesses, said Earl. “They’ll schedule an appointment with me to meet with them and go from there.”
For more information on franchising with Express Employment Professionals, visit: https://1851franchise.com/expressemployment/info.
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