Salute to Veterans

 

 On Valentine’s Day this year, Express decided to share the love in a unique way this year. After partnering with our clients, Express filled goodie bags with supplies and donated them to the Memphis VA Hospital.

Over the course of three weeks, Express received donations to our office to give hygiene products, snacks, blankets, and socks to give to bedridden Veterans. When we arrived, the hospital was incredibly busy. There are many veterans in the area that struggle with afflictions gained while faithfully serving our country.

“We picked the VA hospital to partner with because we have many clients, friends, and family that served our country,” said Alejandra Lejwa, Franchise owner. “We wanted to make it special and have an event to honor them and thank them for their service.”

We had the pleasure of meeting with a couple of volunteers while dropping off our donations. They were incredibly sweet to us and so thankful for the efforts that they hugged us and handed out pins to their soldiers’ angels foundation.

“I would love to do work with the VA again. We learned so many ways that we can help,” Lejwa commented.

They also informed us of their efforts to start a food pantry for local veterans. The pantry will begin taking donations in March so please show them support for all their efforts!

Congratulations to Diego and Alejandra!

On November 4, 2022, The National Minority Supplier Developer Council (NMSDC) named Express Employment Professionals of Memphis one of the fastest-growing companies in their fiftieth-anniversary conference and exchange. The award recognizes minority-owned businesses as they grow within their production and community.

Previous winners include franchises such as Nissan of Franklin, TN, Fluent360, and Guy Brown Diverse Solutions.

The Fast 50 are those NMSDC-certified minority business enterprises that have shown the most growth and resourcefulness to scale and meet the needs of their stakeholders. Last year’s awards were based on the highest average revenue growth rate for 2019, 2020, and 2021.

“Diego and Alejandra are the kinds of Franchisees who roll up their sleeves and get to work,” Christi Patrick, Franchise development for the Delta City Music region, said. “This award is a testament to the type of leaders they are. Every challenge is addressed with a can-do attitude, and their commitment to diversity has helped create a culture in their offices where everyone can thrive. Diego truly understands the value of developing people to their fullest potential, which allows the entire office to reach new heights!”

For its fiftieth anniversary, the NMSDC hosted its annual event in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a special thank you to all who made minority business growth possible. Their goal is to serve as a growth engine for certified minority businesses and enable members to advance economic equality. They have created a network to help these businesses connect and grow from the efforts of each other.

“What an honor it is to be awarded one of The Fast 50: Top Growing Minority business enterprises (MBEs),” Diego said. “Being part of this elite group of businesses nationwide that have shown the most growth for 2019, 2020, and 2021 is something we owe to our amazing team! This award is for them and the hard work they put in every day to help our talented associates and clients succeed.”

Christmas Parade with the Clydesdales

Diego Lejwa, franchise owner of Express Employment Professionals of DeSoto County has literally taken the reins of a growing company and steered it in the right direction.

On a recent Wednesday afternoon, Lejwa and his staff along with the Southaven Chamber of Commerce recognized the company's first-year anniversary in Southaven in grand style. Champion Clydesdale horses, the familiar breed similar in stature to the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, were on hand at the employment company's Getwell Road location, to mark Express Employment Professionals' milestone. These particular Clydesdales are owned by one of the company's co-founders who loves horses and Clydesdales in particular.

As Lejwa explained, Express took the initiative to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in conjunction with the first-year anniversary event. Individuals could have their photos snapped with the Clydesdales and make a donation on behalf of St. Jude, according to Lejwa.

"This is something we wanted to do to give back to the community," Lejwa said, adding that he wanted Southaven and the community to share in the company's success this past year.

"It's been an exciting year for us," added Lejwa. "We finished the year in the Top 70 of all 780 offices. This year, we are at 50 already."

For the past four years, the parent company of Express Employment Professionals has recognized his efforts by putting the firm in its “Circle of Excellence." In fact, the company has received bronze, silver, gold, platinum and diamond levels. Lejwa opened his office in Olive Branch in 2012 and exactly a year ago moved to its current location of 5760 Getwell Road, Building 6.

"It's an exciting area to be in — it's my hometown now," added Lejwa. "It's a great economy, great people. Our idea is to put good people to work in great companies."

Southaven Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carmen Kyle praised company officials for becoming involved and integrated within the greater Southaven and Olive Branch communities.

"Express Employment Professionals is a great partner in the Southaven community," Kyle said. "Fulfilling the workforce demand for the area is key to economic prosperity."

- DeSoto Times-Tribune

Painting Olive Branch Elementary School

It was a case of painting the town — or make that the school, with a fresh coat of paint at Olive Branch Elementary School on Saturday.

For Diego Lejwa, Owner of Express Employment Professionals of DeSoto County and Ryan Barnes, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones in Olive Branch, picking up paintbrushes and rollers and helping to spruce up classrooms and hallways of one of the oldest schools in the district is the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Sunnie Barkley, Olive Branch Elementary School Principal, said the school, located in Olive Branch Old Towne, dates to 1972 and over the years has seen its share of wear and tear.

"We are so thankful to them for taking this project on," said Barkley, who rolled up her sleeves and went to work alongside volunteers from Express Employment Professionals and other participating businesses which are part of the Olive Branch Chamber of Commerce Young Business Leaders group.

"We put out a proposal to all of the local schools to see what their needs might be and Principal Barkley came forward and gave us four or five areas that needed work," Barnes said. "Some areas that needed work included hallways that still had circa 1970s and 80s dark wood paneling.Other areas, including a replica battleship inside a classroom were painted with what else — battleship gray-colored paint. This is one of the ways that we can give back to the community and put people to work to do something good for the community."

Lejwa said his staff takes on several community projects a year as a means of "giving back to the community."

"We've been here for four years now," Lejwa said. "Every year, we have another project called "Brand It Blue.' We collected 450 pounds of food to give to area food pantries."

- DeSoto Times-Tribune