Staffing events can be tough. Often companies don’t need to retain full time employees for events, but where do they turn when they need a skilled event workforce? Thankfully, in 2020, the contractor workforce is posied to help. Events often require finding incredible contractors to help make events specialconr, which is why Shine Staffing has specialized in exactly this. We had the opportunity to speak with Casie Morrison, the Owner and Events Director for Shine Staffing about how finding the right contractors has helped her business grow.
“I believed from the beginning that it was important to treat my entire team, both contracts and staff, like the professionals that they are, therefore, building loyalty, trust and referrals.”
A little about you:
GW: Introduce yourself and your business.
CM: My name is Casie Morrison and I am the Owner and Events Director of Shine Staffing & Events. We specialize in providing high quality event staffing such as servers, bartenders, chefs and other event specialists for some of DFW’s finest caterers, venues, restaurants and residents.
GW: What is your business’s mission?
CM: Shine Staffing & Events’ mission is to provide quality event staffing services by taking the time to understand the needs of both clients and staff through outstanding customer service, innovative and efficient processes and staying true to our vision of building a strong community of event professionals and loyal clients by helping others shine.
GW: How did you decide to start your business?
CM: Moving to the the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 2008, I worked in some of Dallas’ top fine dining restaurants before rediscovering my passion for events in 2012. I spent the next few years helping plan, execute and work amazing events throughout Dallas. Then, after leaving a job in 2016 that wasn’t a great fit, I decided it was time to start a new kind of event staffing company. With help from a family friend and lots of planning, my partners and I officially launched Shine Staffing & Events in the fall of 2018. We had noticed a disconnect from the kind of hospitality you would receive at a fine dining restaurant and the service provided by event staffing companies we had worked with in their catering careers. So, starting with our service industry family — my partner Adam, my General Manager Nicole and I began recruiting talented servers, bartenders, chefs and other event specialists to help your event SHINE!
“Always respect their talents. Contract work requires brave business people who are trying to make their way, they deserve all the respect in the world.”
GW: When did you know contractors would be an important part of your workforce?
CM: From the very beginning — it is the very basis of my business.
GW: How is your company different than your competitors?
CM: I believed from the beginning that it was important to treat my entire team, both contracts and staff, like the professionals that they are, therefore, building loyalty, trust and referrals. Our clients see the difference by the positive attitudes, work ethic and high standards that my team brings to their events.
GW: Where will your company be in 5 years?
CM: Our goal is to first build a strong community here in Dallas, then look to other markets such as Austin and Houston.
GW: What key factors have led to your success?
CM: Help from businesses like Gig Wage have aided in my success. I wouldn’t have made this far without the innovations of tech companies, shared office spaces, friends, family and my community for support. Innovative companies just doing what they do best has helped me do my job so much better.
“Gig Wage has helped me to easily pay and manage my contractors. It allows me to pay my contractors weekly, helps me to keep track of outstanding payments, 1099 tracking and filing (thanks for that!) and eliminating the need for paper checks that the staff have to pick up or need to be mailed.”
GW: What advice do you have for businesses who employ contractors?
CM: Always respect their talents. Contract work requires brave business people who are trying to make their way, they deserve all the respect in the world.
Your thoughts on Us:
GW: What problem(s) were you trying to solve with our product?
CM: Gig Wage has helped me to easily pay and manage my contractors. It allows me to pay my contractors weekly, helps me to keep track of outstanding payments, 1099 tracking and filing (thanks for that!) and eliminating the need for paper checks that the staff have to pick up or need to be mailed.
GW: How does our product or service stand out from other options?
CM: Pricing. My payroll fluctuates weekly — one week I may only need to send 10 contractor payments and the next I may need to send 75 or more. With other services that I explored, I had to pay per contractor in the system. Which is pricey when you have an average of 200 contractors on the team.
GW: What made you happiest about working with our company? What is your biggest success story?
How easy it was and the support that I’ve been given. My questions are always answered promptly and any issues resolved with care. (Although I can’t say I have really had any issues!)
We love hearing from our customers, especially visionaries like Casie who see contractors as a very unique, special part of the team. We believe that contractors are an extension of a company’s family and we love hearing our customers believe the same.
We are very excited to see what else Shine Staffing achieves and hope you will follow them in their journey, you can find them on social media at @shinestaffing.
