Greg and Rina Donaldson A Quarter Century of Success
G reg Donaldson and his wife, Rina, have
been the owners of the Bozeman, Montana, Express Employment Professionals office for 25 years, and they’ve loved every minute of it.
Rina started her career working with senior citizens in recreation therapy. When Rina married Greg, he was a salesman and was traveling quite a bit, so once they had kids she stayed home with them for several years.
Greg then went to work for Express. The owner of the Bozeman Express office at that time had quite a few other business enterprises to run, so he hired Greg to come in and manage the office for him. Within a couple of months, he asked the Donaldsons if they wanted to purchase the franchise.
“I never will forget that day,” Rina said. “It was a golden opportunity and quite a good deal. Buying the franchise so early in its establishment meant it was very affordable. The area had not been worked yet, so we jumped at the chance. That was in 1988, and here we are 25 years later.”
Throughout the years, Greg and Rina have been pushed to learn and grow the business. Coming into the computer and technological age was a challenge, and the ups and downs of the economy always impact their operations.
“Greg and I make a great team because we recognize one another’s gifts. He is an amazing salesman, and I am a great office person. We complement each other. Being an entrepreneur is Greg’s dream, and being alongside him is my dream,” she said.
Now, their goal is to continue to build their business up after the most recent recession, as well as continue an active lifestyle by hiking and camping throughout the beautiful state of Montana.
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Even after 25 years, Rina still loves doing what she does. “We are hope-givers,” she said. “That’s how we think of ourselves. Every day we provide hope for people coming to us, desperate for jobs.
“One of my favorite stories is about Eric Urban. He was trying to get his degree in fish and game management here in Bozeman when tragedy struck his family,” Rina said. “Eric came to us so traumatized that he couldn’t face people at all. His therapist actually told him to try to get a temporary job to ease himself back into the workforce, so he came to us for help, and now, he is going back to college. I think that is impressive, and his whole story is so inspiring to us. We were glad we could help him through that hard time.”
We are hope-givers. That’s how we think of ourselves. Every day we provide hope for people coming to us, desperate for jobs.
Greg and Rina have story after story of how they’ve helped people along the way. “Success stories like Eric’s make all the work worth it,” Rina said. “Employment is a big deal in people’s lives, and when they don’t have a job, things can get pretty grim. I’ve seen it again and again, a job can turn a life around.”
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