A Culture of Care: How United Employment Solutions Defines Success

When Alejandra Sandoval started United Employment Solutions in 2013, it was with one folding table, one laptop, a cell phone, and a dream. More than a decade later, she is running a thriving light industrial and corporate recruiting business in 8 offices across California, soon to be expanding to the East Coast. With 45 in-house employees and counting, she is focused on growing the business even more.

“At 22, I started as an office administrator answering phones for a staffing firm,” she explained. “I got the hang of people coming in and out, talking to them, finding them jobs, convincing them to go to work.”

After that she was promoted to talent recruiting and then as an on-site manager checking people in at 3am on weekends.

“I saw all aspects of the business. A couple years in, an opportunity opened up to start my own agency because of the great relationships I had with my clients. First came Alpha Staffing, and from there I went off on my own and started United. And we are working as much as we can to grow.”

Putting Employees First

When Sandoval thinks of what is most important to her in business, she thinks first of her employees accomplishing their dreams.

“I do everything I can to support my employees. I want to see everyone moving up the ladder, to be able to support their families. That’s where the real satisfaction comes from.”

That includes investing heavily in the growth of her team. She recently sent her Executive and Regional teams to a Mar-a-Lago Leadership summit, and her sales team underwent an extensive six month training. She also provides her team with HR California employment law trainings and OSHA safety trainings to stay on top of evolving regulations.

“Many of my staff have been here 5 years…8 years. It’s amazing to see them start by passing out flyers and work their way up to sales rep, on-site managers, office managers. That’s the kind of culture I want to create.”

She points to a recent promotion of three of her staff, two for regional managers and one on-site executive. These growth opportunities are what drives her day in and day out – for love and effort to be rewarded and lead to movement up the ladder.

A Culture of Care

Sandoval places an extremely high value on company culture that’s based on ethics and care. While United Employment has grown well past the “mom and pop” shop phase, she wants each of her employees to feel the attention and care they would at a smaller company.

“It’s important to me that when people come in every day that they feel they are part of the group, not just another number. I want them to feel that they are seen, paid attention to, and part of the family.”

Part of how she accomplishes this is through fun events and employee gifts. And over the years, Sandoval has acquired a reputation as a great thrower of parties.

“Mid-year, we always have our company networking party. Last year for our 10-year anniversary, we went big and rented a yacht. It was so much fun to give out employee recognitions. For instance 5 years in, they get a ring, bonuses, what have you. In May we are throwing a carnival themed company picnic. I’m encouraging everyone to bring their kids, bring their families.”

While United Employment has employees spread out all over California, Sandoval wants everyone to have the opportunity to meet in person.

“We know how to have fun!”

A Shared Goal

Sandoval says that to her, success means that her staff is happy to come into work and share the same goals for the company. And to accomplish that, she must create an environment of trust.

“I always want my employees to be comfortable to approach me. I pride myself on listening and paying attention. I want to help any way I can so they can focus in their job. They tell me they are grateful that I am willing to hear them and willing to help, and that means everything to me.”

And the goal of United is always about continuous growth and an upward trajectory. Sandoval recently took steps to upgrade some internal processes like adding online applications for easily accessibility and more analytics tracking to make sure processes are effective and efficient.

“Our goal is to take United to the next level, expanding to other states while providing the same quality of service and care.”

From Partnership to Friendship

Sandoval’s relationship with Advance began almost a decade ago when she first met Gary Paparizos, the West Coast business development representative. Since then, United Employment has flourished as a business and grown sizably. And with that growth came the growth with her friendship to Gary.

“I met Gary when I was 25! He’s been with me since the beginning. I remember him saying, I never thought you would grow the way you did, since I always tended to be on the quiet side. But we have grown so much and through it all, Gary has been a great friend. He actually came to my wedding, which is something I will never forget.”

Thank you to Alejandra Sandoval for speaking with us and sharing your story! To learn more about United Employment Solutions, visit unitedemploymentsolutions.com.