At Patrice & Associates, we have several women who have combined their business development with being a Mom.  These women are an inspiration and testimony to what can be accomplished when one  puts their mind to it. 

Lynda’s story.

I am proud and thankful to be the mother of two fantastic kids.  I have an 11-year-old daughter, Donna, who just might be the next iCarly with her musical and computer talents. My 13-year-old son, Dominic, is just as creative, but he gravitates to the world of fantasy through computer games and books about dragons.  

Dominic is joyful and loving but he doesn’t express the full range of emotions that other kids his age are able to show.  I knew from the time he was 1 year old that he was different.  I felt that he viewed the world differently. 

Yet I did not know until he entered school that he has Asperger’s Syndrome, a high functioning form of Autism. He was originally diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. Today, Dominic is progressing through regular classes in middle school and learning how to make new friends…thanks in part to a wonderful therapist who’s helped us teach Dominic how to engage in two-way communication. 

This challenging personal situation only increased my need — and desire — to work for myself from home. I’d taken a year off from my previous job of running a local marketing agency in Orlando, and I admit that once I was ready to return to work I briefly entertained the idea of working for someone else. It would be a dependable job, I thought, and I’d be around other people. 

But once I realized that I needed the flexibility of a home-based business, and that I had to be available for Dominic when he needed me, my decision was made. I opened an office in my basement and began work as a recruiter of top management positions for local restaurant chains. 

What I’ve learned to do is structure my day around the times when my kids are at school. After they have both left for school, I grab my coffee and my laptop and I start my work day.  I continue working steadily until they come home. 

Afternoons are spent wrapping up projects I’ve been involved in during the day. I rarely start a new project once the kids are home, but I do check my e-mails and make follow-up phone calls to clients. By following this routine, I have steadily added new clients since I opened my business. 

Some working moms who choose to have home-based businesses for the first time soon realize that they don’t have that “line of demarcation” that draws a clear distinction between being an employee at an away-from-home workplace and a mom/businesswoman who runs a home-based business. Away from home, they don’t have a son running up to them asking for help with his math homework, or a daughter arriving home in tears from school who needs immediate attention. At home, you have to be both businesswoman and mom at the same time. 

My computer and phone are on 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but when my kids need me I can shift from work mode to mom mode and tend to their needs. When I’m on the phone with a client and Dominic needs attention, the person I’m talking to often is a parent and has no problem with resuming our conversation after I resolve a home issue.  

The biggest challenge to overcome is the “availability factor.” The perception among your family and friends is that since you work at home you’re available to swing over to a car mechanic and get the oil changed or run an errand for a neighbor. 

The best way to ensure that you have a productive workday is to follow a few simple guidelines: 

• Prioritize your day. You have to know when your kids will need you, so structure your tasks to make yourself available to your children on the days or times when their needs are greatest.

• Establish a clear line of communication with your family. Let your husband, kids or live-in mother-in-law know what your work hours are and that you need to be left alone to do your job.

• Adhere to a defined work schedule. Designate which days are workdays and which are days off and stick to the schedule to create a productive routine.

One last bit of advice: If you wake up on a designated workday, but you just can’t get it together and you feel guilty, you’ve just got to forgive yourself.

Lynda Gail Alfano is a Regional Recruiting Manager for Patrice & Associates, the nation’s leading employment search firm for the hospitality industry. Based in Orlando, Lynda’s clients include several well-known brands such as Smokey Bones, Freebirds World Burrito, Cracker Barrel and Ruby Tuesdays, which have hired her to find top talent for their management positions. Lynda can be reached at (407) 351-JOBS (5627) or lyndaa@patriceandassociates.com.

Bryan Coffman and John Lienemann Put Shawnee’s Hospitality Professionals to Work

SHAWNEE, Kan. – May 2010 – Patrice & Associates, the nation’s leading hospitality industry employment search firm with more than 20 years of operations behind it, announced today the recent opening of its office in Shawnee, Kansas. The new office will serve the Northwest Kansas region.

“We are thrilled to be working with local restaurants, hotels and other area hospitality businesses to fill their open management positions and make a positive impact on their operations,” said Bryan Coffman. “As entrepreneurs, it is extremely exciting to be part of the Patrice & Associates family, utilizing the company’s proven business model and hospitality industry experience to help local businesses find top local management talent to deliver the best service possible to their customers.”

With the number of foodservice managers expected to increase 11 percent from 2005 to 2015, Patrice & Associates’ work in the restaurant industry is a prime example of the strength of the local hospitality segment. On average, three quarters of local residents eat out or order in at least once a week and a quarter at least every two or three days. Thus, restaurants provide a stable ground from which Coffman and his partner, John Lienemann, can build their Patrice & Associates business’ presence across the area. Several well-known brands such as Cheddars, Houlihan’s and Original Bread have hired the search firm to find top talent for their management positions locally, allowing company personnel to focus on operating their stores.

“Unlike other sectors, the sheer volume of the hospitality industry continues to create exciting employment and new business ownership opportunities,” said Lienemann. “There are tremendous job advancement possibilities and career options available.”

Before opening a Patrice & Associates office, Coffman, an Air Force veteran, worked in information technology (IT). After several years as a dedicated employee, Coffman was laid off from Sprint-Nextel and decided to pursue his entrepreneurial dream. Lienemann, the other half of this duo, has 12 years of experience at Applebee’s which provides him with extensive restaurant management and operations background. Coffman and Lienemann were looking for a viable business opportunity which could allow them to pursue the dream of owning a business. After much research, they found that Patrice & Associates is the perfect fit.

Coffman and Lienemann’s new office in Shawnee is part of the Patrice & Associates national growth plan. Since launching the company’s franchise program less than a year ago, the company has opened more than 30 offices nationwide.

Patrice Rice, founder of Patrice & Associates and the acclaimed author of How to Interview, started Patrice & Associates two decades ago following her success with Chesapeake Cruising, a charter boat company she launched and grew to a fleet of 26 vessels. “Our clients trust us to present them with the best candidates possible for their openings,” said Rice. “It’s tough out there right now for businesses and for professionals. The job search process can be a stressful, daunting task. We ease the burden for everyone involved.”

Our April class graduates! This is an amazing group of people. P&A is so lucky to partner with such talented people who are dedicated to helping people find jobs and help our clients staff their locations with great managers.

From left to right is Allison from Dallas, Daiana from Chattanooga, Stephanie from Lansing, John from Virginia Beach, PJ from Raleigh, Lorie from CT, John – P&A VPO, Trina from Tulsa, John from Ft. Wayne, Ron from Tulsa, Steve from Dallas.

Our training program is extensive and truly sets people up for success. With virtual classroom training, followed by a week of hands-on work experience in Atlanta, then a 60-day program partnering with Bernice with daily workbook activities – everyone has the tools and support they need to be successful.

Tim Jordan Puts Northwest Arkansas’ Hospitality Professionals to Work

 Bella Vista, AR – Patrice & Associates, the nation’s leading hospitality industry employment search firm with more than 20 years of operations behind it, announced today the recent opening of its office in Bella Vista, Arkansas. The new office will serve the Northwest Arkansas region.

“I am thrilled to be working with local restaurants, hotels and other area hospitality businesses to fill their open management positions and make a positive impact on their operations,” said Tim Jordan. “As an entrepreneur, it is extremely exciting to be part of the Patrice & Associates family, utilizing the company’s proven business model and hospitality industry experience to help local businesses find top local management talent to deliver the best service possible to their customers.”

With the number of foodservice managers expected to increase 11 percent from 2005 to 2015, Patrice & Associates’ work in the restaurant industry is a prime example of the strength of the local hospitality segment. On average, three quarters of local residents eat out or order in at least once a week and a quarter at least every two or three days. Thus, restaurants provide a stable ground from which Jordan’s Patrice & Associates office is building its presence across the area. Several well-known brands such as Ruby Tuesdays, Cracker Barrel and Buffalo Wild Wings have hired the search firm to find top talent for their management positions, allowing company personnel to focus on operating their stores.

“Unlike other sectors, the sheer volume of the hospitality industry continues to create exciting employment and new business ownership opportunities,” said Jordan. “There are tremendous job advancement possibilities and career options available.”

Before opening his Patrice & Associates office, Jordan began his restaurant career as a busboy in a family-owned restaurant more than 20 years ago. He has held every position imaginable within the restaurant industry from a cook and bartender to assistant manager and regional manager.  His extensive management and operations background and knowledge make Jordan an expert within the restaurant industry.

Jordan’s new office in Bella Vista is part of the Patrice & Associates national growth plan. Since launching the company’s franchise program less than a year ago, the company has opened more than 30 offices nationwide.

Patrice Rice, founder of Patrice & Associates and the acclaimed author of How to Interview, started Patrice & Associates two decades ago following her success with Chesapeake Cruising, a charter boat company she launched and grew to a fleet of 26 vessels. “Our clients trust us to present them with the best candidates possible for their openings,” said Rice. “It’s tough out there right now for businesses and for professionals. The job search process can be a stressful, daunting task. We ease the burden for everyone involved.”

Patrice & Associates provides extensive support for its franchisees, who are referred to as Regional Recruiting Managers. The company sources new clients and conducts all billing and collections efforts on behalf of its franchise system. As a result, the Regional Recruiting Managers are better able to provide the right guidance to their clients and to place the best possible candidates for each opening. The franchise opportunity is ideal for first-time business owners, given the existing client base, low ramp-up time and extensive training.

About Patrice & Associates

Patrice & Associates is one of the nation’s largest privately held search firms specializing in the hospitality industry. With 20 years of operations behind it, Patrice & Associates began franchising in December 2008 and today has 30 offices open. For more information, please visit www.patriceandassociates.com/