Patrice & Associates Franchisees Igniting the Recruiting World

As a franchise brand that has cemented itself as a powerhouse in the $212 billion staffing industry, Patrice & Associates is continuously attracting new, business-savvy franchisees across the country. Just take Sabrina Demetriades and Alexandra Pomponio, for example — two of the franchise’s newest owners in Arizona and Boston. Both are a testament to how entrepreneurs can come aboard the Patrice & Associates ship, take advantage of an unprecedented demand for staffing support and follow their true passions.

On the Right Path

Demetriades’ journey to entrepreneurship is an inspiring one. Born to South African immigrants, she grew up in an environment that emphasized the importance of education and hard work. 

"My family immigrated to the U.S. from South Africa when I was an infant,” said Demetriades. “They left their home because they believed, if they put in the work, the U.S. offered boundless opportunities for a better life.” 

This upbringing laid the groundwork for Demetriades to become the first member in her family to attend college in America studying finance and management. Although well-equipped academically, Demetriades says she wasn't entirely sure about her next steps after graduation. A job offer from a real estate company where she interned seemed like the obvious route, but fate had other plans. When her father Christo, an entrepreneur himself, introduced Demetriades to the Patrice & Associates concept, she says she knew right away it was the right step to take. Christo is a tenured franchise executive and the co-founder and Managing Partner of Conscious Capital, a private equity firm that acquired a majority stake in P&A late last year.

Pomponio’s story is equally inspiring. Rooted in the hotel industry, she spent the past 15 years of her career working for major corporations like Hyatt, ISG and Hilton. As she found herself scaling the ladder from sales roles to corporate management positions, Pomponio was recognized for several industry awards and built a strong niche in the market. But with the COVID-19 pandemic's arrival, she took a brief hiatus. Upon returning, she found that something was missing. 

"The pandemic gave me a taste of that better work-life balance, and I reprioritized my life for the next phase of my career," Pomponio said. “The hotel industry in particular can be very grueling. It is a 24-hour business. It can keep you very busy. I was ready for something new, and if I was going to take a gamble, I was going to gamble on myself. That is why I went the franchising route.”

An interaction with a franchise coach on LinkedIn introduced her to the world of Patrice & Associates. This connection, combined with her in-depth industry knowledge, cemented her decision.

Entrepreneurial opportunities in the recruiting and staffing industry are significantly growing in 2023 due to ongoing labor shortages, the rise of remote work and more. With strong brand recognition, a flexible business model and a growing footprint, Patrice & Associates has established itself as a leading franchise opportunity in the space. Today, with over 175 units in the U.S. and Canada, Patrice & Associates is one of the largest hospitality, retail, service and  executive search firms in the country. In 2023, the franchise came in at No. 289 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 Rank, and was also included on the magazine’s lists of the Top Low Cost Franchises and Top Franchises Ranked for Diversity & Inclusion. 

The Strength of the P&A Business Model

For both Demetriades and Pomponio, choosing a career in recruiting was a natural extension of their own strengths and values.

"It is all about connecting people with opportunities that could change lives," Demetriades said. “I knew I could leverage my skills to make an impact on both candidates and clients. I personally know so many people right now who just graduated and are so well-qualified, well educated and ready to work, but they can’t find the right job. My goal is to help them reach their goals.”

This affinity for making meaningful connections is what made P&A a perfect match for Pomponio, as well. “The business model and my entire experience from them just felt right,” she said. “There is a human aspect to the recruiting business that was a very big draw to me. I am very comfortable talking with strangers. That is a big part of what appealed to me. I knew my sales skills would transfer really well to the recruiting side.”

As two savvy entrepreneurs, both franchisees also recognized the strength of the P&A investment model. 

"When you think about starting a business, there is a cost that comes with that, but the way the P&A business model is structured, it allows for really anyone to start an entrepreneurial journey," Demetriades said. "I never dreamed that I would be able to fund a business at the age of 22. But with P&A, you can work from anywhere and that keeps overhead costs down.” 

Patrice & Associates offers a unique franchise opportunity that is both flexible and affordable, allowing franchisees to operate from the comfort of their homes.

“Having a work-life balance is something I never experienced before — I am a workaholic,” said  Pomponio. “I’ve never even taken a vacation as an adult. I was trying really hard to focus more on the personal aspect of my life, which I had ignored. So, the franchise was really setting myself up with a better situation, both personally and financially. I can take the afternoon off to surprise my mother on her birthday, for example, in the middle of the week. My mother was so happy she cried! It has really been a new experience for me to have that kind of work-life balance.”

Demetriades shared a similar sentiment: “I love to travel and spend time with family, and that flexibility of still being able to work, pursue my passions and run a business from anywhere in the world was so attractive. I can chart my own path and make my own workplace. There are always going to be risks, but the sense of fulfillment and the potential for financial success makes it such an exciting journey.”

One of the distinguishing features of franchising with Patrice & Associates is its non-restrictive territorial model. Franchisees are allocated a local area to set up their business, but are also granted access to a nationwide database that houses over 650,000 candidates and a wide array of job listings. They have the potential to onboard clients from anywhere in the world, given they are not already engaged with another recruiter and the connection is made through their network, referrals or typical business interactions.

“I liked the fact that when you come in as a new franchisee, there are open jobs that all of us can work in addition to finding business on our own,” said Pomponio. “You don’t have to start from ground zero. It is a very supportive environment.”

To assist the transition from employee to business owner, Patrice & Associates has tailored a comprehensive training program for new franchisees. This involves an initial self-guided virtual training, followed by a two-week intensive training. After this, there's a six-week program with bi-weekly classes and calls, coupled with 90 days of daily mentorship with a seasoned coach. With this thorough training process, franchisees can rest assured they'll be equipped with the necessary tools for success, regardless of their prior experience or background.

“I knew I’d be able to leverage an existing network of like-minded entrepreneurs and franchisees,” said Demetriades. “Lean on them, share best practices, hear about their journeys — that is a very big advantage of the franchising route. The system, the support, the network, the training — everything that P&A has in place made this a perfect match for me.”

Promising Horizons Await

This year, Demetriades officially signed on for multiple P&A territories in Arizona, focusing primarily in the Scottsdale area. “I am so excited to embark on my own journey as a young female entrepreneur, and doing it within the P&A family is an honor,” she said. “My family’s journey instilled in me the importance of following your dreams. With P&A, I knew I could create my own destiny, while helping others achieve their career aspirations and building an overwhelming sense of the community and family. That is so special.”

Pomponio has also opened her first P&A location in the greater Boston area this year. “The experience has been amazing so far and I am ahead of pace in terms of my goals,” she said. “I have felt so supported and welcomed every step of the way. The CEO still checks in with me. He is proud of my placements. I have a daily call with my regional developer. They have earned my trust already. Everything they told me was true and the feedback was consistent.” 

For young professionals considering a similar leap into entrepreneurship, Demetriades’ advice is simple: trust your gut and go for it. "Have a clear vision and be open to learning continuously,” she said. “Network, build relationships, plan and set goals. Because I had a passion and a clear vision with P&A, it allowed me to catapult into the business. Especially in your 20s, this is the time to learn and absorb — no experience is a bad experience."

And for those who may think franchise ownership is out of reach, Pomponio says that there are support systems like P&A out there to make the opportunity more attainable. “I encourage young people to do the due diligence and research,” she said. “A franchise like P&A gives you all the tools to set yourself up for success, and from there it is all about the effort you are willing to put into it.”

Both Pomponio and Demetriades are prime examples of how passionate and qualified entrepreneurs can take control of their own path and make their mark in a thriving industry with the help of the Patrice & Associates franchise network. 

The total investment necessary to invest in a Patrice & Associates franchise is $90,050 – $92,750. This includes $82,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. For more information, visit: https://1851franchise.com/patriceandassociates