The Story of Staffworks:
A Journey Built on Persistence and Passion

The story of Staffworks is one of perseverance, sparked by a childhood ambition to build something lasting and meaningful.

Growing up with a father who ran his own business, I was inspired to explore my entrepreneurial spirit. Whether it was through small ventures like running a detective agency for Sears or launching a driveway service with my best friend, the idea of creating something from the ground up always fascinated me.

By my late twenties, I was at a crossroads. Life had thrown me a few challenges providing me with new perspective, and I found myself thinking about my career and my future in a new way. It was then that I felt the timing was right to strike out on my own. The support I received from my employer, colleagues, family, and friends was overwhelming. With their encouragement and a little help from my sister—who suggested the name “Staffworks”—the foundation was set.

Fast forward a few months, and I was setting up shop in a small office on Bay Street, Toronto, with one employee by my side. It was Monday, September 25, 2000—Staffworks was officially open for business. In the early days, it was all about grit and determination. With a few donated office chairs from friendly competitors, two phones, and an internet connection, I hit the ground running.

I couldn’t rely on my previous network of clients, so every relationship I built was new. Cold calls, follow-ups, and more cold calls—it was all part of the process. I’ll never forget our first order; it came in the first week from Bell ExpressVu, a company that has since ceased to exist. They urgently needed a mailroom clerk, and we filled the role quickly, sending our first candidate out that same week. From there, we grew the business—one order at a time.

Over the years, we expanded our services to include technology, accounting, finance, and corporate services, weathering a brutal recession and many market shifts along the way. The journey wasn’t linear; we adapted to changes in the economy and moved offices several times, but the commitment to our clients never wavered.

When COVID-19 struck, like many businesses, we transitioned to remote work. But we used that time to sharpen our focus and help our clients make more strategic, well-informed staffing decisions in an unpredictable environment. As the world began to stabilize, so did we. Today, we’ve returned to an office—a sales hub—and are preparing for our next chapter in a permanent space, where we’ll continue to grow alongside our clients and the evolving job market.

Looking back, the journey of Staffworks has been one of persistence, adaptability, and a passion for helping others find the right people for the right roles. And I believe that’s what makes the story of Staffworks one that resonates with both professionals and job-seekers alike.

I hope you will follow along with us this year as our celebration of our 25th anniversary rolls out. We’re very proud of what we have achieved over the past quarter-century and excited to share the next 25 with you!