2018 Small Business Week
  • May 03, 2018
  • admin

It is officially National Small Business Week! Last week, Labor On Demand had the honor to visit two Associate Administrators. We got to meet Jason Simmons, Associate Administrator, Office Field Operations; and Allen Gutierrez, Associate Administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development.

 

 

As the 2017 San Antonio District Woman Owned Business Award Winner, our local SBA representative felt our office would make an excellent visit.

I am blessed and thankful for all the opportunities and guidance I have received through the SBA, UTSA PTAC, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and LiftFund.

 

Thank you,

 

 

Lucinda Leal

Labor On Demand
President/CEO

 

 

 

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HUBZone
  • Dec 20, 2017
  • admin

Labor On Demand, Inc. has been accepted into the HUBZone Program! Effective December 20, 2017 has been approved for certification as a “qualified HUBZone small business concern (SBC)”. LOD is now eligible for HUBZone opportunities and will be included on the list of qualified HUBZone small business concerns found at http://dsbs.sba.gov/dsbs/search/dsp_searchhubzone.cfm

HUBZone is a United States Small Business Administration (SBA) program for small companies that operate and employ people in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). The HUBZone program was created in response to the HUBZone Empowerment Act created by the U.S. Congress in 1998.

Labor On Demand, Inc. focusing on providing business solutions for our clients. LOD currently provides pay-rolling, staff augmentation, training, human resource management, and internship opportunities for the city, state and federal agencies. LOD utilizes experience and expertise to implement cost effective solutions to ensure business success.

We are excited to be a part of this program and look forward to the opportunities that is will give Labor On Demand.

 

Thank you,

 

Lucinda Leal

Labor On Demand, Inc.
President/CEO
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SBA Round Table
  • Oct 19, 2017
  • admin

Labor On Demand, Inc. got to participate in the SBA Ignite Tour. Linda McMahon, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, was in San Antonio on October 18, 2017. Her nationwide round table focused on her listening to business owners.

We were educated on the SBA’s services to gain capital, mentoring and federal contracting, as well as advocating small business owners on driving economic growth.

My ability to support my family and the local community, I am honored to be considered an asset to San Antonio. Labor On Demand, Inc. will continue to making opportunities to work, fueling the state and nations economic development.

Thank you,

 

Lucinda Leal

Labor On Demand, Inc.

President/CEO

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2017 San Antonio District Woman Owned Business of the Year
  • May 04, 2017
  • admin

 

Hello, I am Lucinda Leal and this is my story. God gives everyone a gift and I believe that my gift is to help people. Life did not come easy, I had to grow up fast and fend for myself. Early on, I was an entrepreneur; always thinking of ways to support my family.

I was immediately hired at a staffing company and for 25 years I grew more knowledgeable in the industry. I had a strong backing of people and companies that believed in me. I took a leap of faith and started my own business, Labor On Demand, in 2003.

I put my heart and soul into the company. I had to work endless hours, every day of the week. I believe in being honest with everyone that I come across. I learned early on that you have to take care of your clients. I made a commitment to them; I told them everything, the good and the bad. I was dedicated and very loyal to them.

It was never about the money. I care about people, and I believe you make it right by giving them your word. To me, my success comes from my determination to never give up.

I did not have the traditional business plan.  As Labor On Demand grew, I had a network of people that advised me to the free opportunities that help small businesses. The San Antonio District SBA and the UTSA PTAC offered advise, counsel, and classes that supported us since the very beginning.

I must thank my business partner and husband, Richard Leal, for being alongside me in this journey. I am also thankful to my amazing team, without whom I would not be successful.

I want to thank my mother:

Madre, me gustaría dedicarle este premio. Gracias por todos los valores que me inculcaron. Me valoras, trabajo duro y la importancia de nunca renunciar a algo que crees. Te quiero con todo mi corazón.

As the 2017 San Antonio District Woman Owned Business of the Year, I am grateful for all the blessings I have received. My faith in God makes me appreciate everything that has come into my life, including those who have believed in me and Labor On Demand.

Thank you,

Lucinda Leal

CEO/President at Labor On Demand, Inc.

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Labor On Demand’s 14th Anniversary
  • Mar 03, 2017
  • admin

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

 

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Business Opportunity Academy (BOA)
  • Feb 28, 2017
  • admin

The Business Opportunity Academy graduating ceremony represents the host organizations and partnering agencies that have come together to ensure small business success. I am honored to be nominated as our 2017 Class Representative. This month was full of vital information and contacts that ensure sustainability and growth for all of our companies.

Launch SA created a learning environment that was diligently coordinated by Margot Slosson, Director of LiftFund Women’s Business Center. Our program facilitator, Ron Zimmerman, has been enlightening us every Tuesday and Thursday with a stomp in his step and pride in voice as a firm believer in this program and its capabilities.

Our first key note speaker is a man who has been a mentor and strong advocate of small business; SBA District Director, Mr. Anthony Ruiz.

The partnering agencies of this program came to discuss how we can do business with:

  • City of San Antonio
  • Bexar County
  • VIA
  • Alamo Colleges
  • CPS Energy
  • Edwards Aquifer
  • Port of San Antonio
  • San Antonio Housing Authority
  • San Antonio River Authority
  • San Antonio Water System
  • University Health System
  • UT Health
  • UTSA

If you have not done so already, please get all the Small Business Certifications you qualify for by the Texas HUB and SCTRCA. Alyssa Martinez would be more than happy to assist you along the way.

As I immersed myself into the small business world at Labor On Demand, I began to see the benefits of attending networking events and training seminars. I get to see familiar faces like Sheriley Smith, Sara Kirby, Tracy Burns, and hopefully in the near future all of the participants here today.

What elevated this experience beyond the traditional class and events, were the focus topics highlighted in each class. Aaron Sams, and our very own, Ron Zimmerman, created a great overview on business capture and proposal management.

Debbie Pedigo broke down the tedious task of responding to a RFP and RFQ in a manner that seemed almost fool proof.

Sales Excelleration, Tribu, and BethanyEast PR spoke about the all the aspects of marketing your business in regards to sales, branding, and leveraging social media.

The legal panel comprised of attorneys Aric Garza, Lisa Tatum, and Veronica Zertuche was definitely an eye opening discussion.

Alamo Bonds, BDI Insurance, and ARM Insurance spoke about their specialties on business liability, workers compensation, and how to secure bonding efficiently and effectively.

Representatives of LiftFund, Jefferson Bank,P.F.I. Capital, and BBVA Compass discussed business capital and financial needs. The financial panel segued into accounting and purchasing lead by Bryan Potts, Melanie Kirk, and Keyona Edwards.

Alamo HR and Swisher Resource Group capped off the final discussion on workforce and human resource solutions.

As I look out at all the business owners here today, it reminds me what my dad would tell be growing up, “do what you love.” We are all here because we live, breathe, and love what we do. What else could you ask for in life? A melting pot of companies representing a wide array of what it means to be a small business. Participants of this program included:

  • Integrity K9 Services specializing in providing role players for Homeland Security’s explosive detector dogs for airports throughout the nation.
  • El Fandango Trading is re-positioning Mexican folk art and crafts into the US.
  • Elm Grove Publishing offers authors an alternative to traditional publishing offering books to a global audience.
  • Heart for Homes is an organization that operates in the single-family housing.
  • CMIT Solutions assists with the planning and managing of information technology and securing vital business information.
  • Systematically IT provides consultation for information system, cloud migrations, and mobile device management.
  • KeVal LLC is a leading consultant in cyber threat awareness, education and training within the Intelligence arena.
  • Elevate Systems specializes in sustaining engineering services for aging weapon systems for the Department of Defense.
  • Native Medical sells office and medical supplies.
  • Mobile Dental Management provides onsite quality mobile dental care.
  • DNA Reference Lab provides the most advanced and reliable testing in medical diagnostic, parentage testing and forensic testing at a reasonable price with exceptional levels of integrity and services.
  • Level 5 Services are an engineering consulting company.
  • Mirkhelker Consultants is an operations and management leader developing high performance teams.
  • Signs By Tomorrow offers a wide variety of sign products and signage design services that get your message out of the office and into the world.
  • Woodeez Stone & Laser Imaging is the source for custom engraving on any project, large or small.
  • Owner of LJC Painting works alongside her crew on her residential and commercial painting services.
  • Worldwide Pest Control has professionally trained pest management specialist that have the technical knowledge and expertise to solve any pest related issue.
  • 1797 Creative provides media research and strategies to improve business visibility through smart planning and dedicated research.
  • The Social Being executes digital marketing strategies to help businesses engage their audience through various initiatives by building a brand and maintaining its day-to-day activities.
  • Tribu is a marketing and advertising agency, also known as The Tribe. They build tribes that inspire people.
  • Media Motion Online provides phone and web based conferencing resources.
  • The owner of The Good Helper, is a personal chef that provides a totally customized dining experience in the comfort of your own home.
  • Finally, Labor On Demand provides quality staffing solutions when you demand it.

As you can see, all of our businesses encompass what truly makes us unique in our industries. The 2017 Business Opportunity Academy has immersed all of us with valuable insight to make us small business leaders in our fields.

I have to thank Labor On Demand’s business owner’s, Rick and Lucinda Leal, for considering me a valuable asset to their team and providing me with this opportunity to grow with them and their business.

If you have not already met these individuals, I hope that you do, because they treat their clients and customers just like family.

They love what they do, and do what they love, and they never forget what they had to go through to be where they are today. I love working for Rick and Lucinda at Labor On Demand, and I will do my part to help their business thrive.

Together with Labor On Demand, we will help you achieve any of your business goals.

As this program comes to an end, I know our paths will remain intertwined. As we continue to grow, I hope we will all utilize each other knowledge and skills to facilitate our business growth. I look forward to seeing what the rest of this year has in store for us.

Congratulations to all the participants in the 2017 Business Opportunity Academy.

 

Thank you,

Chelby Mueller

Account Manager at Labor On Demand

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SBA 8(a) Certification
  • Oct 14, 2016
  • admin

Labor On Demand, Inc., a San Antonio, Texas based full service staffing firm, is proud to announce that the company has been certified as a participant in its Small Business Administration 8(a) Business Development program. “Receiving certification under the SBA 8(a) Program gives our company a great opportunity to continue to develop our business, as well as strengthen our teaming relationships,” said Lucinda Martinez-Leal, President/ CEO of Labor On Demand Inc. The 8(a) business development program presents us an additional tool to successfully compete for government contracting business, which will add to our growth and our ability to bring jobs to our community.”

Lucinda Martinez-Leal was selected to take part in an SBA Emerging Leaders program and immediately set her sights on gaining the 8(a) certification. Lucinda and her team began the tedious job of putting together the documentation for the 8(a). A special thanks to our local PTAC, and Anthony Ruiz, SBA District Director for Texas. Mr. Ruiz spent an evening with Lucinda and Richard Leal, plus five members of her staff reviewing the 8(a) documents. Mr. Ruiz gave us excellent feedback on our application. Because of their excellent guidance and a focused team effort, Labor On Demand has now been awarded this great opportunity.

The SBA provides opportunities through various programs including the 8(a) business development program which is designed to provide business development assistance to companies owned and managed by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This certification gives Labor On Demand Inc. the opportunity to bid on contracts that are specifically set aside for SBA 8(a) program participants.

Established in 2003, Labor On Demand Inc., is an SBA 8(a), TxDOT Disadvantaged Business, Economically Disadvantaged Woman-owned, State of Texas HUB and Minority certified firm, that provides government and private sector clients with Temporary Help, Temp to Hire, Pay-rolling and Human Resource Management Services. To find out more, please visit http://lodstaffing.com or contact us at (210) 201-0536.

Thanks to all,

Lucinda Martinez-Leal President / CEO

4241 East Piedras Drive #150, San Antonio
Texas 78228, PH: (210) 912-8405, Fax: (210) 736-1440

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