Sharron Long established her personnel agency in 1971 in the penthouse of the historical landmark Mills Building. Career Consociates Inc., a privately owned Woman Business Enterprise, was built slowly, client by client, with a dedication to high standards and personalized service. The company's secret to success has been their unwavering commitment to the individual needs of their clients and candidates. For Sharron Long, that success has been a California dream come true.
Sharron moved to San Francisco in 1967 and found employment at the Law Offices of Melvin Belli. During her three year tenure with Belli, she often utilized the services of personnel agencies to fill positions within the firm. Feeling that few of the existing personnel agencies treated people with the respect she thought they deserved, she realized there was an opportunity for someone with a new concept. Only 29 years old, with a $2000 loan from her family, she ventured out on her own to continue her dream.
Sharron first called her agency Jobs 'N Things and, with her many contacts from Belli's office, she helped people make connections. Sometimes firms needed skilled workers, sometimes people were looking for roommates, sometimes they just needed information. In 1981, as the jobs portion of her work grew more successful, she incorporated under the name Career Consociates Inc. (CCI).
"Consociate" means "to unite, to bring into association," a service Sharron has done so well. "I could not have succeeded as an entrepreneur," she notes, "without the support of many good friends." In the older tradition of San Francisco's Financial District, the majority of CCI's business comes through referrals from those friends in addition to the many satisfied clients and candidates. "As a predominately referral agency, we always feel we need to do it a little better for this process to continue to work for us."
Sharron's penchant for excellence combined with her hiring expertise has afforded her the opportunity to assemble a dedicated professional staff who share her ideals. Consultants are encouraged to independently commit to clients' special requirements whenever possible. It is no wonder they have earned a reputation as one of San Francisco's most successful personnel agencies.