Today, Labor On Demand is celebrating our 14th anniversary. Rick Leal and I wanted to show our appreciation to our team for all of your hard work over the years. As owners we are excited for all the new changes and growth our company will be embracing this upcoming year.
Last October, Labor On Demand was awarded the SBA 8(a) certification. We were approved within 6 weeks after submitting our application, which is amazing. Mr. Anthony Ruiz, SBA District Director, was a great mentor and assisted us in the approval of this program.
This program helps disadvantaged businesses gain access to the Federal market. This program is allotted 9 years, so it will end in 2025. This is why we have created a team of individuals lead by Richard alongside Ricky and Jerry to go after these Federal opportunities.
January of this year, PTAC announced to me that Labor On Demand will be featured on their 2016 Annual Report. This February, Chelby, Rick, and I attended the 2017 Business Opportunity Academy. We participated in 16 hours of technical assistance through hands-on workshops, seminars, and networking functions. At our graduation ceremony last Tuesday, Nina Ramon, SBA Public Affairs Specialist, slipped and told me that I got awarded the SBA Business Woman of the Year. I could not be any more excited about the opportunities Labor On Demand will be anticipating for 2017.
That being said, we all know there are a lot of changes happening and it is for the betterment of the company. We are establishing a strong foundation so that as we grow, Labor On Demand can sustain the capacity. We will be utilizing a new security system, website, and employee portal. The new Culebra office should be complete by the end of the year.
As we push forward through this year, I cannot help but remember where Labor On Demand came from. On this day 14 years ago, I was in my tiny office running the show alongside one driver and a van. I did everything – dispatching, accounting, recruiting, sales, etc. I would begin my day at 4:30AM, sometimes earlier, and would end my day hopefully by 10:00PM.
After the initial Culebra office relocated, Piedras was the 2nd location we opened. The Marbach location followed and then the On-Site at Fresh from Texas. Sadly, we decided to close the Marbach site, but Labor On Demand has a lot of exciting things to look forward to.
I have to thank my wonderful team at Labor On Demand. I love that I get to work alongside my family and see how we have been a business force together. I am blessed that we have come so far from our meager beginnings. I would like to conclude with a quote, “small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient, and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer.”
Thank you,
Lucinda Leal
President/CEO