CenterState CEO’s monthly Economic Champions Spotlight, sponsored by Solvay Bank, features members for their success, including adding jobs, expanding their products or services, gaining national recognition or contributing to the success of the region in special ways. For July, we are highlighting M3 Placement & Partnership. Read more here: https://bit.ly/MS723M3
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Pictured: US Small Business Administration Upstate New York District Director Bernard J. Paprocki, Women in Business Champion Mary Malone McCarthy, Small Business Person of the Year Trent Griffin-Braaf, and US Small Business Administration Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron.
ALBANY, N.Y. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Upstate New York District has awarded its 2023 Small Business Person of the Year Award to Mr. Trent Griffin-Braaf, owner of Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle in Cohoes, NY and its 2023 Women in Business Champion Award to Mary Malone McCarthy to M3 Placement & Partnership in Albany, NY.
SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron and SBA Upstate New York District Director Bernard J. Paprocki presented the awards at the SBA Albany Office as part of National Small Business Week. They were joined by U.S. Representative Paul Tonko and Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.
According to District Director Paprocki, the SBA Upstate New York District selected Trent Griffin-Braaf as Small Business Person of the Year not only for his success creatively pivoting his transportation business during the pandemic but also for his commitment to community service. Griffin-Braaf provides complimentary transportation to those in need and offers guidance to minority and women entrepreneurs.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Griffin-Braaf served a prison sentence and decided to change the direction of his life. He started Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle in 2016 to serve people in the Greater Capital Region who might not otherwise have transportation. For example, the company helps workers get to their nighttime jobs after the bus stops running.
“As a small business owner, more specifically a Black small business owner, I’m happy to do the work in the community that we do. We believe the services we provide around transportation and logistics are important to the communities we aid. We take pride in being able to contribute to the local economy and provide job opportunities,” said Griffin-Braaf. “I personally feel a sense of satisfaction being an asset to our region, understanding in my youth I was more a liability, and now I get to right some of the wrongs I once did.”
Since its founding, Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle has grown from a small office to a 1,500 square foot space with a parking lot. The pandemic interrupted the company’s consistent financial growth when the 2020 shutdown prevented many of Griffin-Braaf’s clients from attending normal activities. But again, Trent found opportunity in adversity and began offering transportation services for food and medical supplies.
Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle also received an SBA Microloan in 2020 from Pursuit to refinance existing debt and fund working capital, helping the business retain employees. SBA Microloans are smaller-size loans provided through SBA funding intermediaries like Pursuit, which offers SBA business loans in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
In 2022, Tech Valley Hospitality Shuttle hired seven more employees and grew revenue 100 percent.
Mary Malone McCarthy was selected as SBA’s Women in Business Champion of the Year for her unwavering commitment to women entrepreneurs. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of M3 Placement & Partnership, McCarthy has not only grown her own small business through leadership rooted in prioritizing people, but she also generously shares her experiences and personal connections with other woman founders. McCarthy serves as a thought leader in the business community, and her mentorship has been foundational to the success of many other woman-owned businesses.
“It is an honor to be recognized as the SBA Women in Business Champion and celebrate today’s recognition in honor of the many amazing female mentors I have had in my life, both personally and professionally, as well as the exceptional team at M3,” said McCarthy. “M3’s success is based in an unwavering commitment to exceed our clients’ expectations by delivering impactful results around recruiting and retaining top talent. We recognize the high importance of helping companies create a healthy, strong and vibrant workplace, which in turn impacts their ability to attract and retain great talent. I am immensely grateful and energized by this honor and to have had the opportunity to mentor and celebrate the great success of so many other female leaders.”
McCarthy grew up in a family business and learned the singular importance of caring about people from her father, the CEO of a telecommunications company. She founded her company in 2012 on a people-first foundation, which shines through every aspect of her business and community work.
For example, M3 Placement & Partnership received an SBA COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan and an SBA Paycheck Protection Program loan, which McCarthy used to develop free resources and support services for clients and individuals navigating the challenges of COVID.
Her approach not only allows her to do the right thing but also drives business success. Last year, McCarthy expanded her business from five to 15 employees, grew their service offering and doubled revenue, all while continuing to provide free coaching to entrepreneurs and giving back to her community.
SBA Upstate New York District Director Bernard J. Paprocki commended Griffin-Braaf and McCarthy for their small business success and dedication to their communities. “Our two winners today exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit we need for our region’s economic growth and resilience. Their commitment to running businesses rooted in their personal values has fostered success and growth of their own businesses and made an impact throughout the ecosystem and beyond,” he said. “Trent and Mary Malone have provided valuable mentorship to other minority and women entrepreneurs, helping them to start and grow new business and add even more jobs to the Capital Region. Their service and contributions to not only their fellow entrepreneurs but also to the entire community are what made their nominations stand out among the many we received this year.”
“I am thrilled to be in Albany to celebrate National Small Business Week and honor our award winners Trent Griffin-Braaf and Mary Malone McCarthy. The SBA is meeting small businesses where they are and this event allowed our best and brightest Upstate entrepreneurs to understand that this administration is investing in their businesses as they propel themselves and the nation forward,” said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Marlene Cintron, who oversees SBA in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Upstate New York’s 2023 Small Business Person of the Year was selected from nominees across the district’s 34 counties. SBA Upstate New York provides small business owners with access to business counseling, capital, federal contracting programs and disaster assistance.
The Small Business Person of the Year Award is part of National Small Business Week, held this year from April 30 through May 6.
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About National Small Business Week
For nearly 60 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business, and they create about two out of every three new jobs in the U.S. each year. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Every day, they’re working to grow small businesses, create 21st century jobs, drive innovation, and increase America’s global competitiveness.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
ALBANY, NY, MAY 2023—M3 Placement & Partnership, a leading provider of talent acquisition and strategic H.R. consulting services, announced the formation of its new Advisory Board, comprised of top leaders from some of the most recognized firms nationally. The new Advisory Board will provide strategic expertise and guidance as M3 Placement & Partnership continues to expand and evolve.
Talent acquisition, particularly recruiting and retaining top talent has seen accelerated growth over the past two years with a high demand for a blended services model to address systemic issues within an organization. M3’s ability to support the multiple facets of talent acquisition through outsourced recruitment, strategy and executive search has been transformational for the many clients they serve.
Members of the newly formed Advisory Board represent a diverse group of business and industry experience. Advisory Board members include:
In creating M3’s Advisory board, Mary Malone McCarthy, founder and CEO has said “We are taking the next step in M3’s long-term growth strategy while remaining steadfast to our commitment for an exceptional client experience. Members of our M3 Placement & Partnership Advisory Board are leaders in their industries, and we are confident they will make a significant contribution to M3’s current and future success. I am very excited about this next chapter for M3 and grateful for the service and commitment of our advisory board members.”
To learn more about M3 Placement and Partnership and its advisory board, visit www.M3placement.com.
M3 Placement and Partnership is a trusted partner in talent acquisition and executive searches and a guide in tackling the strategic human resource needs of companies of all sizes. At M3, we are on a mission to find better talent for the organizations we work with. We believe when superior talent is placed in key leadership roles, change is created to impact organizations and lives for the better, and that creates a better world.
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Over the last several years, the way we work has shifted. And for organizations wishing to attract and retain talent, the ability to adapt to the needs of the modern workplace is essential.
In our latest eBook: Reimagining the Future of the Workplace, we summarize the key insights and strategies gained from thought leaders and HR executives as they relate to the “new normal” working environment.
Lead by Mary Malone McCarthy, Founder and President of M3 Placement & Partnership, along with Harriet Harty, Chief Administrative Officer of ADT, our panel summary covers:
Download your copy
CenterState CEO announced finalists for its 2023 Business of the Year awards. The awards celebrate member companies and organizations for their outstanding success and the role they play in strengthening the region. These companies and organizations have achieved significant growth, exemplified business leadership and have gone above and beyond in their commitment to our community. Finalists were selected from a highly competitive pool of nominations.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Digital Hyve, National Grid US and Oswego Health.
MORE THAN 50 EMPLOYEES: Air Innovations, King + King Architects and Mower Agency.
FEWER THAN 50 EMPLOYEES: American Fashion Network, Chimera Integrations and M3 Placement and Partnership.
NONPROFIT: Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, On Point For College and Symphoria.
MINORITY-OWNED (In Partnership with the Upstate Minority Economic Alliance): Collins Barber & Beauty Shop LLC, JHP Industrial Supplies Co. and Melody’s.
Read more, here: http://bit.ly/3ZqVxbz
It’s increasingly evident that traditional approaches to talent acquisition and retention are no longer relevant or effective. Yet, the new playbook is still being written. It’s never easy to fly the plane while you’re building it, but in times like these it’s a necessity.
What does it all mean for CEOs, COOs, CHROs, and other business leaders?
It means there is a pressing need to adopt a new model for talent acquisition, retention, and engagement—one that is purpose-built for the current environment. This white paper outlines the key drivers of change in the talent space and lays out a proven model for approaching talent in a way that ensures long-term, sustainable success for organizations and the individuals they employ.
Download the White Paper
A New Model for a New Normal
The work environment and everything it encompasses has forever changed, altered by forces like the pandemic, a volatile economic landscape, civil unrest, and a heightened emphasis on values like diversity, equity, and inclusion. It’s clear the concept of a new normal doesn’t begin to describe the seismic shifts shaping organizations today. But what is much less clear is how to navigate the changes, overcome the challenges, and continue to attract and retain talent that will bolster an engaged and productive workforce.
Authors Mary Malone McCarthy, Anne Rush, and Donna Hughes, share insights in this white paper on how organizations can adapt and put in place sustainable, real solutions for attracting and retaining talent.
M3 is pleased to welcome Jackie Walters to the role of Director of Operations. Jackie will lead the effort in supporting the company’s rapid growth, while caring for clients, the team, and the M3 brand.
“I’m honored and proud to join M3” said Walters. “Mary Malone and the M3 team have done an amazing job growing the business and staying true to their mission of finding the best talent for the organizations they work with. I’m excited to start this next chapter of my career and look forward to working with the team to continue making a positive impact on people and organizations in our community.”
“A highly respected collaborator and community leader, Jackie has proven expertise in establishing strong relationships and managing growth” said Mary Malone McCarthy, Founder and CEO of M3 Placement and Partnership. “As M3 continues to expand we understood the importance of building our leadership team to assure we continue delivering a high touch and exceptional client experience. Jackie’s experience combined with a determination to excel in our industry was a perfect fit and we are thrilled to welcome her to the M3 team.”
Jackie most recently served as the Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce where she was a driver of growth through increased memberships and exposure, and managed all operations, logistics, and networking for the organization. An innovator of new programs and initiatives, she is uniquely experienced in understanding the fundamental needs of business owners while wearing multiple hats as a high-level administrator. She is a graduate of Clarkson University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, and held various engineering roles before serving as Chamber Director. She and her family live in Clinton, NY.
If you’re wondering how an outsourced recruitment process model works and how to determine the return on investment (ROI), this guide can help.
This Guide includes:
Finding and retaining the talent you need to achieve your business goals has never been more challenging.
It’s tougher than ever to recruit and keep the kind of employees who can drive your business forward, enabling you to grow and thrive. That’s why many organizations turn to outsourced recruitment, which is often called RPO (recruitment process outsourcing).
The key is finding an RPO partner that will become immersed in your business versus taking a transactional approach to “filling jobs.”
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About M3 Placement & Partnership
“The M3 team has spent so much time with us- finding out what’s important to us and our culture- in order to find us new talent. They use their expertise to guide and advise us to make great business and talent decisions, which allows us to take our organization to the next level. The team has a down to earth, authentic communication style and they have blended so well with our TA group that we truly think of them as an extension of our team. They are genuinely good people who put their customers and clients first and make sure you really are taken care of. It’s a pleasure to work with such a people driven organization.”
We are incredibly passionate about people, and the work that can be done in the workplace to be able to support individuals and their families. We help clients to change and grow their organization to meet their employees where they are in life. The result? Employees have confidence that their employer cares, and employers see more engaged, focused employees who are mutually invested in growing their business.
Start Simple:
In a time where people are so emotionally charged by many personal stressors like the health and safety of their families, their financial futures, the state of our world…the list goes on. A personal “check in” asking, ‘how are you doing?’ and ‘is there a way I can help?’, goes a long way and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of your employees.
Step 1: Talk about it. Have a workplace culture where people feel safe to discuss mental wellness. Create an environment free of stigma where employees can talk openly about mental health, and do it regularly by finding what works for your business.
Step 2: Take the temperature by engaging an expert to facilitate and open up the conversation on mental health. Need help finding someone? Consult with your local Chamber of Commerce for a listing of mental health professionals in your area.
Step 3: Engage leaders to be authentic and lead with compassion. Now more than ever, emotional intelligence is being called upon. If you’re not even in that arena, start with Verb who offers plug and play collections on topics like emotional intelligence, mindfulness, conscious management and more.
Step 4: Give access to help by offering some simple, accessible solutions like online therapy through Lyra or meditation through Headspace. Don’t stress about implementing a major program or campaign, just let your employees know what your plan is to support them!
We have a responsibility as servant leaders and as organizations to give people the tools and to open that conversation to let people know that there’s a place to go that they can feel safe.
Let us help you develop a holistic mental wellness approach. Download our FREE Mental Wellness eBook! Start Here: Mental Health in the Workplace eBook
Download our FREE Mental Wellness eBook! START HERE: MENTAL WELLNESS IN THE WORKPLACE DIGITAL EBOOK
People are the foundation of guiding where your business goes.
What is the current, most significant issue facing people and organizations globally? Mental Wellness.
Now more than ever, business leaders are taking a truly holistic approach, much different than you would see in the past. They are taking the lead to foster an environment of taking care of their employees by offering support for overall wellness, including mental health.
Mary Malone believes that leaders have the opportunity and responsibility to impact and inspire others to greatness. With a conscious capitalism foundation, she talks with leaders on how to lead purpose driven lives, build organizations that inspire greatness and excel at impacting others. The podcast aims to motivate existing and aspiring leaders to grow with purpose and impact.