Women We Love: Joyce Robbins

Joyce Robbins is part cheerleader, part mentor and part match-maker—but 100 percent genuine. Robbins, president of Robbins Staffing Solutions Inc., assists area residents looking for work and businesses needing employees find one another. This Hometown Hero (just ask Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen) found a way to utilize her career management knowledge and love of motivating others into a successful business. Robbins notes her greatest strength is her personal motivation and determination, which translate well in her chosen field.

“I found myself frequently giving career advice,” says Robbins. “Colleagues would send people to me for consultation on ‘changing careers’ or ‘starting a new business’ since I had personally made a few successful career changes myself and endured the challenges. It was always a spontaneous reaction for me to want to fix every workplace problem I saw or heard about. It felt so natural and so when a staffing business opportunity came along years ago, I jumped!”

Robbins Staffing specializes in placing administrative and clerical professionals on a temporary or permanent basis, as well as finance, accounting, banking or technical career professionals.

Robbins’ most rewarding professional experience was receiving the Small Business Person of the Year Award in 2001 from the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce. “The greatest feeling is to realize your efforts are somehow making a difference in the community,” she says. “And that award feels very prestigious—I was so honored.”

No two days are the same for the woman running the staffing company. “I arrive at my office usually before 8 to review my calendar, emails, sync Blackberry, etc., and chat with staff about daily tasks. This is after I brew my cup of tea, of course,” she says. “I usually have clients to contact or visit, interviews with candidates. (I always personally see candidates who are referred directly to me by friends and colleagues.)” She also devotes a portion of her day to contact new prospects and staying connected with existing clients. “This is the part I love,” she says.

As head of a successful business, Robbins also works on marketing and advertising to keep Robbins Staffing Solutions’ name out there. And despite her biggest pet peeve (the incomplete Meadowcreek Parkway) the grandmother of four has a soft-spot for her community as a whole.

“I believe in consistent support of the community, which means many days I will be scheduled for meetings at community organizations to which I volunteer, such as United Way, Paramount Theater, Chamber of Commerce, etc.,” Robbins says. “I occasionally make presentations to groups on various career-related topics, such as ‘Honing Your Job Search Skills’ and ‘Powerful Networking Tips’ or ‘How to Hire and Fire Successfully.’ Each day is different but very full and will end about 6 p.m. for me; however I’ve also been known to take work home.”

So, how does wife, mother and grandmother find time to recharge?

“Weekends! I try to allow one day on the weekend to regroup. I read, take walks or long drives in the country,” Robbins says. As for leading a balanced life: “I don’t think I have figured that out yet. I am probably a workaholic but fight to stay balanced and have time for my family.”

Similar to the companies she partners with to help fill vacancies, the weak economy is a challenge she faces, as well. “For me that also means trying to alleviate people’s fears by educating about hiring plans and [human resources’] goals,” she says. “Since my job involves employment, I feel especially sensitive about these issues and somewhat responsible for keeping things afloat!”

Keeping life in perspective is important, too. The best advice Robbins’ ever received is, “Approximately 80 percent of what you worry about never comes to pass,” she says. “I don’t know the source, but I have found this to be absolutely true.”

8 Things You Might Not Know About Joyce Robbins

1. Who is your favorite author and why? Alison Weir, historical author. I love to read about European royalty and their life and times. It is such an escape into a time of such contrast from the decadence and grandeur to medieval struggles of the underclass.

2. Favorite things about Charlottesville? Friendly, civil and gracious people.

3. What is your favorite hobby/pastime? Playing bridge with friends and long drives in the country. More trips to Italy and France is my goal.

4. What is one of your hidden talents/skills? I am fairly creative. I have won several awards for my art works. I enjoyed painting and drawing when I had the time.

5. What is your guilty pleasure? French Champagne.

6. What is your favorite movie and why? Sound of Music. It is such a sappy love story but has such a happy ending that makes me feel good.

7. Where did you grow up? Hampton Virginia. The Tidewater Area.

8. What is the greatest invention of your lifetime and why? The computer for sure! I cannot believe what a change it has made in our workplace and our personal lives. It astounds me how easily we can connect with our clients, candidates and employees. The amount of data stored on computers is mind-boggling.