It All Starts With People: Susan’s 28-Year Journey at Labor Systems

In 1997, Labor Systems was just getting started. The foundation was simple, but powerful: it all starts with people.

Nearly three decades later, that philosophy is still alive and you can see it clearly in leaders like our West Valley Area Manager, Susan.

A Chance Encounter That Turned Into a Career

Susan didn’t set out to work in staffing.

At the time, she was managing a retail store, balancing long hours, weekends, and holidays. One day, while helping a customer, upselling with her signature attention to detail (even down to joking about whether socks paired with dresses) she made an impression.

What started as a casual interaction turned into an opportunity. That customer was part of the “original 3” regional managers at a company called Labor Systems and she appreciated Susan’s way with people so she handed her a business card.  After two interviews, Susan got the call, delivered in a way that feels perfectly 90s: through her husband’s pager with him finding out before she even got home.

From there, everything changed.

She began her career at the Tolleson office as a closer, learning the business from the ground up. In those early days, staffing was hands-on and fast-paced, picking workers up, getting them to job sites, constantly filling orders. It was competitive, people-driven, and nonstop.

And she loved it.

Growing Into Leadership

About two years in, Susan explored sales but quickly realized her strengths were elsewhere. She stepped into an assistant role, where her ability to support, teach, and lead began to take shape.

Eventually, she took over the position from her mentor, Gail, marking a full-circle moment in her career.

Today, as an Area Manager, Susan leads a team of seasoned staffing coordinators across five offices.

But ask her what she actually does day-to-day, and her answer isn’t about metrics or titles.

It’s about people.

She focuses on building strong teams, empowering her coordinators, and making sure they know she’s not just leading from above but that she’s right there with them, ready to step in, solve problems, and support when it matters most.

“People appreciate knowing their leader can do the job too.”

The Secret Behind Consistently Strong Reviews

Susan’s team is known for delivering consistent, high-quality service and it’s no accident.

Her approach is rooted in transparency, accountability, and continuous growth.

She challenges her team to improve, shares knowledge openly, and sets clear goals. But more importantly, she creates an environment where people want to succeed.

They aim to be the best, not because they’re told to, but because they’re empowered to.

To Susan, great service comes down to a few fundamentals:

• Following through
• Communicating clearly
• Setting expectations early
• Building real relationships

It’s simple, but not easy. And it works.

Leading With Humanity

What truly sets Susan apart is how she shows up for her people.

Whether it’s stepping in to help cover a shift, supporting an employee through a tough moment, or even leaving finger splints on a team member’s desk after noticing an injury, she pays attention.

She listens. She acts. She cares.

Because to her, leadership isn’t just about performance, it’s about understanding that life is happening outside of work, too.

That mindset has helped create a culture where her team feels supported, connected, and willing to go the extra mile for each other.

“There’s not one office in the company that wouldn’t help another. We do the job together.”

“It All Starts With People”

For Susan, this isn’t just a company slogan, it’s something she’s lived every day since 1997.

It means taking the time to teach.

It means being available to mentor and taking the opportunity to being mentored.

It means preparing others to step into leadership roles one day.

“One day, this is going to be yours.”

That belief has shaped not only her career, but the careers of countless others she’s helped guide along the way.

Why the Work Matters

After 28 years, Susan is still deeply motivated by what Labor Systems does.

Because at its core, staffing isn’t just about filling jobs, it’s about changing lives.

It’s helping someone land their first opportunity.

It’s giving someone a second chance.

It’s making sure people can provide for themselves and their families.

“We make a difference. We help build careers. We help put food on the table.”

From 18-year-olds entering the workforce to 70-year-olds looking for their next step, Susan and her team meet people where they are and help them move forward.

A Legacy Still Being Written

When Susan reflects on her career, success isn’t measured in titles or tenure.

It’s in the trust her team places in her.

To her, it means something simple but powerful: they know they’ll be guided the right way.

And after nearly three decades, one thing is clear, at Labor Systems, the legacy isn’t just built on business.

It’s built on people.