Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Drewy.
Hi Chris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Chris Drewy. I am the Co-founder and CEO of Bravo-Drewy Enterprises, LLC dba B Select Services. My wife, Ana Bravo, and I started our company in October of 2016. Why? Because we were fed up!
When Ana and I met, I was employed with the State of Texas and she was working for a temporary staffing company. She had spent many years of her life working with temporary staffing companies but had not been able to secure permanent employment. I, on the other hand, had been fortunate enough to get on with the State via a temporary staffing company many years ago. Ana studied Business Management in college and was a very hard worker, even while she was in school. She would often be given management responsibilities at the locations where she was assigned to work. It was apparent to those who came in contact with her that she was a fast-learning, hard-working, self-disciplined individual who was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and do whatever it took to get the job done. She was eventually offered a management position within one of the temporary staffing companies that she was working with. This allowed her to learn the business aspects of a temporary staffing company. She became familiar with how to service clients, schedule staff, payroll, insurance, etc. The more Ana learned and grew, the more the company expected from her. However, when she asked for salary increases, they would always give her the runaround. With the knowledge and experience that Ana had obtained over the years, she had no problem getting on with other temporary staffing companies. But, it seemed that no one was willing to compensate her fairly based on her level of expertise. So, we decided to start our own company!
We started as an Austin-based firm committed to providing 100% client satisfaction to companies in need of temporary staffing. While our initial focus was primarily hotel housekeeping and office cleanup, we were soon able to fulfill any personnel need. We specialize in the following industries:
- Hospitality & Food Industry
- Office & Clerical Industry
- Labor & Construction Industry
- Warehouses & Distribution Centers
Needless to say, 2020 was an exceptionally difficult time for our company as it was for so very many other small businesses across this country. Most of our largest clients are in the hospitality and food industry and provide services to sports arenas and stadiums. These venues that cater to large spectator events were the first ones to be canceled due to the pandemic and were the last ones allowed to reconvene. Thankfully, we were able to weather the storm. And, during the summer of 2021, they did let the games begin again!
Since our inception, we have proven that our vision of creating a company that places an emphasis on customer satisfaction while treating its staff with honesty, respect and fairness, makes a tremendous difference in the temporary staffing industry. B Select Services has been (and will continue to be) a consistent, efficient, reliable and excellent choice for temporary, temp-to-perm and permanent staffing. We treat our staff with respect and in turn they deliver top-notch customer service to our clients. It’s a win-win philosophy that works great for us!
Our company currently has four office locations in Austin, Dallas and Ft. Worth. We plan to expand to Houston within the next year. We provide staff all throughout the Great State of Texas. If you would like to partner with us, please feel free to stop by one of our offices or visit our website: https://bselectservices.com/
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As previously mentioned, by far, the most trying time was during 2020. People were afraid to work. And, for those who wanted to work, we hardly had any place to send them to work. Then, as things started to let up in 2021, there were so many staff shortages across the country, people were refusing to go back to work for the same pay that they had been receiving prior to the pandemic. So, prices were inflated so that companies could afford to pay people to come to work. It was a domino effect across the board. It seemed that some people had become so accustomed to not working due to receiving money from unemployment and stimulus checks. They didn’t want to go back to work. The pandemic caused a lot of unrest within the staffing industry. It seems that things are starting to settle down a bit now.
The other struggle was starting the company. We had to fully fund our own payroll for the first year and a half. Fortunately, I’ve always believed in saving money. So, I was able to utilize the funds that I had set aside. That, along with credit cards, a home equity loan and help from family enabled us to survive until we were able to receive backing from a funding company in 2018.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I spent 27 years working for the State of Texas, before I retired in 2019. I started with the agency, that I was with, after working for them a full year through a temporary staffing company. I started as an Administrative Technician and worked my way up into management. I worked with budgeting and contracting.
After retiring from the State, I was able to turn my full attention to our company. As CEO, I am normally the person who makes the initial contact with a prospective client and handles contract negotiations. I am responsible for customer relations and dealing with any high-level issues that may arise. I ensure the financial stability of the company and ensure that all laws and regulations are being adhered to.
Ana is the Director of Operations. She handles the day-to-day operations of the company by providing oversight of our Administrative Staff, Accounts Managers, Recruiters and Human Resources Department.
We are proud to be recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the fastest-growing staffing companies in North America since 2018. http://diversity.staffingindustry.com/catalyst-for-change/
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My definition of success: Accomplishing a goal that you established for yourself. I think that most people believe that success is determined by monetary value. I don’t believe that you can determine an individual’s success based on how much money they make. I wholeheartedly believe that success is relative. If you want to do something…anything, and you are disciplined enough to work at it until you have achieved it, then you are successful!
Ana’s definition of success: Success is determined by how much you have accomplished and grown in life or towards a specific goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bselectservices.com
- Instagram: bselectservices
- Facebook: B Select Services Austin
