Page 44 - Anna Doxie first new format

Women of Distinction

Judy Lawton- CEO, TLC Staffing
By Judith A. Habert

“People may never remember what you say, own employment firm. She contacted a trusted client and
they don’t remember what you do, but they businessman whom she refers to as Uncle Arthur, and they
absolutely never forget how you make them met at a local restaurant. Sitting together in this restaurant,
feel.” These are the words that Judy Lawton scribbling on a cocktail napkin, they set out to plan Judy’s
new business. In five short weeks, her new firm was up
lives by, the CEO of TLC staffing has made this and running. People over the years have asked Judy how
her credo, and anyone who has the pleasure of she had the guts to start her own business. She stoically
meeting Judy will tell you that she makes you replies, “After going through that, feeling the way I felt, I
feel wonderful. Any client who enters her offic- would never have given anybody another shot at me like
es will quickly see that she means every word. that. That would have taken more guts than starting my
At TLC Staffing no one is ever turned away. own business.”

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Judy remembers back to the day when she set her sights
on starting her own firm. She had been a dedicated em-
ployee for a technical staffing firm. She had worked to turn
this business around. Long hours, hard work, and dedica-
tion were principles Judy lived by. So you can only imagine
her surprise when one morning she was called into her
boss’ office, handed an envelope, and told that her services
were no longer needed. She was escorted to her desk,
and then to her company car so she could clean them out From those modest days when Judy and her small staff
and was immediately driven home by a company em- visited client’s offices every Friday dropping off goodies
ployee. She was thanked for her hard work and a promise and collecting their accounts receivable, so that she could
was made to explain why she was being let go. Twenty make the weekly payroll; to owning and operating one
three years have passed and she has still not received that
explanation. of the top female owned businesses in San Diego, it has
been a roller coaster ride. But, one that she would never
ever trade in. The hardest part about getting her business
However, after a tearful weekend Judy decided she would up and running in five weeks was finding a 600 square foot
never allow herself to be in this position again. She office space in which to operate. Today Judy owns the
decided it was time to take control of her own destiny. So
not one to procrastinate, bright and early Monday morning 20,000 square foot building that proudly displays the TLC
Staffing logo on its facade.
Judy was on the phone setting her sights on starting her
March/April 2008