TriStarr’s owner builds a legacy of strategic relationship-building and trust

Founded in 1989 and purchased by Joan Paxton in 1992, TriStarr provides staffing, recruiting, temp, temp-to-hire and human resources consulting services across central Pennsylvania. The organization focuses primarily on administrative and professional staffing but also remains flexible to adapt to market trends and needs. Small but mighty, TriStarr has 13 employees and very little turnover, serving as a testament to its work environment and culture.

Over Paxton’s 30-year tenure, TriStarr has expanded services and grown a client base of 225 placements and 50 corporate clients on average, many of which are long-standing relationships. Paxton shares, “Of my first 10 clients back in 1992, we are still doing business with six of them.” She credits this loyalty to strategic relationship-building, noting “the importance of building trust, learning their culture and way of doing business, and forming a partnership that will weather bumps in the road.”

An Unexpected Journey

Never anticipating the decades-long journey she would begin when she bought TriStarr back in 1992, Paxton calls herself an “accidental entrepreneur.” She reminisces, “Even the day I bought the business, my goal was to just take it one day at a time.” This approach has served her well over the years, positioning TriStarr to respond to opportunities with agility. One such opportunity came on the recommendation of a client to consider becoming certified as a diversity-owned business. Recognizing the distinguishing advantage this would afford, in 2007 TriStarr became a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise (CWBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Since becoming certified, TriStarr has seen increased opportunity both in new client partnerships and in clients’ ability to pursue opportunities because they partner with a diversity-owned staffing company.

The Diverse Advantage

While TriStarr is humble about its CWBE certification, the impact diversity has had on the company’s success and the local community cannot be denied. Diverse in generation and gender, the TriStarr team has a unique blend of perspectives and problem-solving skills that have woven innovation into its DNA. Paxton reflects, “We are always ready and waiting for what’s next.” Additionally, TriStarr lends its diverse skills and perspectives to the local community, investing in organizations like Junior Achievement, the Chamber of Commerce and the United Way. Paxton notes the dual benefit of “developing the team’s leadership skills while also giving back to the community.” And give back they do — TriStarr offers local non-profit organizations a discounted rate for staffing services as a way to support and champion their growth and impact in the community.

A Caring Culture

One of Paxton’s greatest accomplishments has been instilling a caring culture at TriStarr. Paxton proudly shares that TriStarr personally visits their clients’ workspaces before beginning placements, which stems from a deep-rooted desire to understand the organization and make the best placement possible. She also notes the importance of staff work-life balance and flexibility, saying, “I’m more focused on performance indicators over time spent sitting in a chair. I want my team to go to their kids’ soccer games.” When asked what makes TriStarr special, Paxton immediately responds, “It’s my people — they are smart, committed and fun.” Undoubtedly, TriStarr’s diverse roots are also a key contributor to its success and growth potential.