Q&A with Spherion Franchise Owner Beth Delaney

"I’m a local business owner who knows my neighbors by name, but when I sit at a boardroom table, I bring the financial strength and brand equity of a national powerhouse."

We're proud to celebrate Beth Delaney, a Spherion franchise owner since 2002, as a 2026 Franchise Excellence Award winner by Franchise Business Review. Beth's commitment to excellence, her people-first leadership, and her deep dedication to the communities she serves across Mid Ohio is a shining , real example of Spherion core values at work.

From her fearless growth mindset to her hands-on approach to community giving, Beth's leadership has set a standard that inspires fellow franchise owners throughout our network. We invite you to learn more about her journey, her philosophy, and what makes her franchise truly exceptional.

During your research, what made your franchise brand stand out?

Being a Spherion franchise owner found me. I was a corporate employee of the company for 10 years when the opportunity to own my own market presented itself. Knowing the industry and having a strong local presence, I was confident that partnering with Spherion as a franchisee would be the next pivotal move in my career. 

How did your franchisor help you to prepare for and launch your business? (Examples: training, support, mentorship marketing, technology)

When I purchased the business in 2002, I was proud to be not only a franchise owner, but a certified Woman Owned Business in an industry that had few at the time. Spherion provided strategy and key support needed to maintain the existing territories that I purchased, while also helping me expand and grow as the business progressed. All of this was made possible through executive support and mentorship from Spherion leadership, top to bottom. 

What advice would you give to potential franchisees considering your brand?

If you are looking for a business where you can close your door and work in isolation, this isn't the brand for you. But if you want to be part of a powerhouse collective, here is my advice: Don't just buy a territory, join the culture. When you join Spherion, you aren't just buying the right to use a logo; you are joining a siblinghood of franchise owners and corporate support. Lean into the transparency of this network.

We celebrate each other’s wins because a win in one market strengthens the brand's reputation for the next market. We support each other’s losses because your "lesson learned" might save a fellow owner from the same pitfall tomorrow. The most successful franchisees here are the ones who ask for help. The 'secret sauce' isn't held by corporate alone, it’s distributed among the owners. 

Reach out to the veteran franchise owners. We won’t see you as a competitor; we see you as a teammate. If your location is strong, the brand is strong, and we all benefit from that increased market share and brand recognition.

What specific things set YOUR franchise apart?

There is a big difference between owning a business and knowing a business. What sets our offices apart is that I never ask our team, or our clients to do something I haven’t done—or wouldn't do—myself. I’ve sat in every seat. With more than 30 years in this industry and over 20 years as a Spherion franchise owner, I’ve been the recruiter, the salesperson, the payroll clerk, and the branch manager. 

Just as important, success comes from the talent and tenure of my team. We aren't just filling orders, we’re changing lives. That starts with how I treat my internal team. Business owners are often asked, “What keeps you up at night?” For me, the answer has always been that my success or failure is not mine alone. I am responsible for the livelihoods of my employees, their families, and their success as well. 

Approaching business decisions through this lens has helped develop a culture where my team knows they are valued and treated like family. I am very proud of the tenure, talent and passion of my internal team. 

One last thing, I have always hired better than myself. Leadership means carrying the culture and vision of the organization across many skill-sets, and hiring people stronger than myself has proven to be a strategy that wins time and time again.

What are YOU doing that maybe others aren't?

We have a fearless growth mindset. There is a trend in staffing of sticking to “the way we’ve always done it” that seems to leave others behind. I believe stagnation is the biggest risk in staffing, so we are always striving to differentiate ourselves with a fearless growth mindset. We lean into new technology and tools. While others might be hesitant to disrupt their workflow with new AI-driven sourcing or automated candidate engagement platforms, we embrace them as competitive advantages. 

Additionally, I rely on calculated risk taking. I’ve never been afraid to try a new recruitment marketing strategy or pivot our approach to a specific niche market. If there is a new social platform or a creative local partnership that could connect us with talent, we are the first to test it.

What specific things contributed to your success? (Examples: best practices, critical decisions, franchisor training, franchisee community)

Success in this business is rarely about a single lightbulb moment. For me, success has been the result of integrating three specific areas: community, our corporate foundation, and a commitment to best-in-class operations.One of the most significant contributors to my growth has been 

the Spherion rain trust. I don't operate in a vacuum. I am an active participant in our franchisee community. When I run into a roadblock, I don't always jump to reinvent the wheel, I reach out to peers who have scaled similar mountains. I’ve treated Spherion’s training not as a one-time onboarding requirement, but as a continuous competitive advantage. Even my most tenured staff have participated in ongoing training, and even repeated training offered by our Spherion corporate team.The support and spread of training provided is truly world class.

What unique strengths and skills do YOU (and your co-owner, if applicable) bring to your franchise?

I bring a deep sense of responsibility to leadership. I understand that running this franchise impacts not just my team, but their families as well. That awareness drives how I make decisions, manage risk, and build a stable, people-first operation. As a daughter, mother, wife, sister and grandmother—before business owner—I know the skill of balanced boundaries. 

I tell my team: "Go to your kid's soccer game. Take care of your aging parent." Because I value my own family first, I empower my team to do the same. The result is incredible loyalty and low turnover. My team stays because they are treated as humans first and employees second. That stability is a massive strength we offer our clients because they like working with the same faces year after year.

Additionally I have always approached philanthropy and sponsorship as more than just writing the check. Our philosophy on community support is participatory giving. When we sponsor a local cause, we go beyond signing the check and placing a logo: We send ourselves!

What is something that might surprise people about franchise ownership?

Most people think being a franchisee means "following a manual" or operating a "business in a box." The reality is the opposite, and that’s the most exciting part of the job. People are often surprised by how much room there is for innovation. Spherion provides the foundation, but I build the house. 

I have the freedom to design our local culture, choose which community initiatives to champion (like our ME, Inc. program), and decide exactly how we want to serve the Mid Ohio market. Spherion corporate does the heavy lifting of vetting and building the tech, marketing and training stack so I can stay focused on leading my people instead of troubleshooting software. 

It’s a shock to many to see our local office competing with, and winning against, global staffing giants. I’m a local business owner who knows my neighbors by name, but when I sit at a boardroom table, I bring the financial strength and brand equity of a national powerhouse. Some people think a franchise is a leash. In reality, it’s a launch pad. It gave me the stability to fly as high and chase my goals.

Through her hands-on leadership, her willingness to embrace change, and her belief in the power of the franchisee community, Beth has created something far greater than a successful staffing office. She's built a legacy that extends to every team member she's mentored, every client she's served, and every community initiative she's championed.

We're honored to have Beth as part of the Spherion family, and we congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition. Her story is an inspiration to current and future franchisees: when you join Spherion, you're not just buying a business—you're joining a siblinghood committed to excellence, innovation, and making a real difference in people's lives.

Congratulations again, Beth, on this outstanding achievement!

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