CEL Happenings: March 2021

Issue 3

In this edition

March’s Featured Entrepreneur

Jeff Wach
EGW Associates
CEL Core 2010 graduate, current Class Connections member

Founded in 1969 by Jeff’s father, Eugene G. Wach (Core '88), EGW Associates Inc. started as a technical temporary employment agency providing engineers, designers, and draftsmen to WNY manufacturing and engineering firms. Over the years, Gene’s wife, Nancy, and their four sons joined the family business as it grew and evolved to meet their clients’ changing employment needs. Jeff joined the firm in 1996 and became president in 2012. Today, EGW continues to innovate with custom tailored solutions including employment outsourcing and hourly recruiting.

Jeff is a CEL Core grad, an active Class Connections member, a frequent mentor and reactor in the Core program, and serves on the CEL Alumni Association Board. We asked Jeff about his entrepreneurial journey and to share any advice for budding entrepreneurs.

How did you get started in your business?
The manufacturing company I worked for was sold and my engineering job was being moved out of state. It was time to join the family business. I started out in technical sales, but quickly moved into operations and HR. That was almost 25 years ago.

How did the idea for hourly recruiting come about?
By listening to our clients. For years we provided staffing and head-hunting services. But we discovered that our clients found themselves in between. They needed recruiting help but didn’t want “temps” and didn’t want to pay the 20% head-hunting fees, so we now offer recruiting help on an hourly basis. Companies can outsource as much or as little help as they need.

What would you say has been the most important lesson or milestone in your adventure as an entrepreneur?
Adopt a pay-for-performance compensation model for all leadership roles. If they are happy with their salary, it’s too high. Maintain focus on performance, accountability, and profit.

What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur?
Be prepared to reinvent yourself and/or your business. I began my career in engineering and now I’m in HR. EGW began as a staffing firm and we are now an HR consulting firm. Life happens.

Please share the name of a book, podcast or blog that you have found inspirational or valuable to your entrepreneurial success.
EntreLeadership Podcast. Lots of great authors and speakers on a variety of topics.

You can connect with Jeff via LinkedIn or his website, egwassociates.com.

Newsletter Team

Kate Moody
Editor

Contact Us

Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
School of Management
University at Buffalo
UB Downtown Gateway
77 Goodell St., Suite 201
Buffalo, NY 14203

Tel: 716-885-5715
Fax: 716-845-6999
mgt-cel@buffalo.edu

Meet our Team

Facebook

Alumni News

Congratulations to all the businesses recently honored by Buffalo Business First as a Best Place to Work in WNY. We love seeing so many CEL grads among these finalists.
Courtney Nelson-Benton, a 2020 Allstate MWEE grad, will open the doors to her new store, Elle James Decor on March 12. Stop by 1856 Hertel Ave. to help Courtney celebrate.
Get ready to cheer on our hometown team, LaundroMutt, in the new ABC show Pooch Perfect. You can watch Corina Stammworthy (a current CEL Core program participant) and her business partner Macie Pisa compete for the top prize beginning March 30.

Opportunities

Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association Award - Recognize deserving companies by nominating them for this prestigious award. Nominations close March 12. Submit online at www.BuffaloBusinessEthics.org
Reach Customers Online with Google - March 16 from 1-2:15 p.m. Webinar presented by SCORE Buffalo Niagara.
T he Future of Leadership: Changing the Way We Live and Work - 2021 CLOE Leadership Conference featuring a keynote presentation from New York TImes bestselling author Daniel Pink.
S mall Business School Virtual Workshop Series - Free weekly workshops offered by 43North.