Celebrating Our Founder Patrice On International Women’s Day!
Today is International Women’s Day. A day celebrated globally on March 8th where women are recognized and celebrated in cultural, economic, political, and social achievements. Today marks the call to action for women’s rights and equity in the workplace. The first International Women’s Day occurred in 1911 over a century ago. The movement has grown and belongs to all groups everywhere.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2022 is Break the Bias. A gender equal world, a world free of stereotypes, discrimination, and bias. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. A world where women are celebrated in the workplace for their hard work and dedication. The mission statement for International Women’s Day is defined as follows: to forge inclusive work cultures where women’s careers thrive and their achievements are celebrated.
Today on the celebration of International Women’s Day we are proud to celebrate our founder, Patrice Rice. She embodies not only the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day but has set an amazing example for women all over the world in business and franchising.
Patrice Rice has an entrepreneurial background with a history of building successful businesses. Her entrepreneurial career started when she opened Chesapeake Cruising, the first fleet of powerboats for charter on the Chesapeake Bay. She became the first female Captain on the Chesapeake and launched the industry of corporate entertaining on luxury yachts in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Patrice then purchased and operated a marina restaurant where she further developed a catering service specializing in the yachting industry.
Patrice also has a passion for giving back. She wanted to find a way to couple her desire to help people with her love for the hospitality industry. In 1989, she started Patrice & Associates as a recruiting business helping restaurant professionals find jobs and create the perfect resume. Over the next twenty years, from 1989 to 2010, she grew Patrice & Associates from a home based recruiting agency with just her and her birds, into a national company with over 40 recruiters, and contracts with some of the most recognized brands in the restaurant and hospitality industries. In 2010, she decided to turn this into a franchise opportunity to help people realize their dreams of business ownership. Patrice & Associates is now the largest hospitality recruiting firm in North America. Over the past ten years, the company has grown to over 200 locations and has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the fastest growing and top low cost franchises.
Patrice also has a passion for animals. She owned a pet store for 10 years and trained dogs for competitions. She even rescued and cared for monkeys! Patrice currently has a farm with so many wonderful animals, including alpacas, miniature horses, goats, birds, and dogs. Patrice has a true love for the environment.
Patrice cares about giving back to the community. She works with many organizations and charities. She gives back to veterans by giving discounts to those looking to start their own business. She also works with the Tunnel to Towers foundation and donates to many others.
Patrice has taken her knowledge and passion and turned it into a career of helping others. She embodies not only this year’s theme of International Women’s Day, but the entire meaning of the organization. Patrice is a true example of a woman working hard in the workplace and setting the world ablaze. Patrice continues to add new adventures to her repertoire and is expanding her franchise portfolio. She is an unstoppable entrepreneur! We are proud to know her, work with her, and continue to learn from her every day. Patrice you are a trailblazer in the franchise industry, and we are proud to call you ours!
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