In 2024, WBENC continues its inspiring tradition by celebrating the WBE Stars for their remarkable achievements, contributing invaluable leadership, innovation, and influence on the dynamic business landscape. Each handpicked by one of the 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), these women serve as a wellspring of inspiration for others within their communities. The recognition they receive through the WBE Star Award is a powerful testament to the profound impact they’ve made in their respective business environments.
The 2024 WBE Stars received their accolades at the vibrant WBENC National Conference, a grand event held from March 19-22, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. This conference was a hub of innovation and networking, drawing nearly 5,000 entrepreneurs and business leaders who celebrated the accomplishments of these extraordinary women.
But the celebration doesn’t end there. Throughout 2024, WBENC will continue to spotlight these trailblazing women in various dynamic formats, including an engaging article series and captivating feature articles in WE USA Magazine this summer. Prepare to be inspired!
Meet Sue Bhatia, founder and chairwoman of Rose International, Inc., with the Women’s Business Development Center-Midwest (WBDC-Midwest) Regional Partner Organization. Sue immigrated to America from India in the 1980s. Recognizing a need for IT recruiting solutions, she founded Rose International in 1993. Under her leadership, Rose has become one of the fastest growing and most successful firms in the staffing and recruiting industry in the United States. Today, Rose International has offices and service delivery centers in the U.S. and India, with thousands of associates across the country, and was named a Best Place to Work by Glassdoor in both 2019 and 2020.
Sue attributes her company’s rise to her immigrant mindset: she took total responsibility for her career, made success happen every single day, and never gave up when confronted with barriers as an Indian immigrant woman in Missouri. She faced adversity with poise and determination, paving the way for future generations of women, immigrants, and other people who, in the past, may have considered themselves outsiders.
Get inspired by Sue and stay tuned for our 2024 WBENC Stars article series throughout 2024!
Rose International is a leading Staffing and Total Talent Solutions provider to Fortune 500 and government agencies nationwide. With thousands of associates and offices across the U.S., Rose International is consistently recognized as one of the country’s most successful minority-and woman-owned providers of top talent. Services include: Staffing (IT, admin/clerical, engineering, finance/accounting, HR/legal, light industrial, marketing/creative and procurement/supply chain), Named Resource Program, Direct Source, Delivery-Centric MSP, IC Compliance, Contact Center Services and Recruitment Process Outsourcing.
Rose International’s commitment to furthering diversity, equity and inclusion is evident through our supplier diversity program and RISE (Rose Impacting Social Equality), our initiative aimed at advancing racial equity across the country. By actively engaging with minority- and women-owned businesses, we cultivate a supply chain that better represents the communities where we do business. Through RISE, the Rose International Team helps communities of color overcome societal barriers by supporting students, job seekers and entrepreneurs through education, workforce support and more. Diversity isn’t just a corporate goal for us, it’s an integral pillar that drives our organization.
The 2024 theme is AMPLIFY. What does AMPLIFY mean to you?
“To me, AMPLIFY means to elevate what you do. Whether it’s business offerings for clients or making a positive impact to workforces and communities. As economic conditions shift, clients’ needs also evolve. By embodying AMPLIFY, Rose International strives to provide tailored solutions for our clients. Through this theme, we strive to continue Making It Happen.”
When and how was your business started?
In 1993, after identifying a more efficient way to provide staffing solutions, I founded Rose International. What started as my husband and I working in a home office in my unfinished basement has grown to dozens of offices across the United States, including two locations in India. Rose International has grown to be a leading woman-and minority-owned provider of Staffing and Total Talent Solutions serving over 150 clients in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
What is one way you recommend people to “AMPLIFY” the impact of the WBENC network in the next 2 years?
One way to AMPLIFY WBENC’s network is through strategic outreach, awareness and collaboration. I feel further encouraging leaders to create alliances with WBE’s to explore partnerships would strengthen the benefits offered to businesses. By evaluating current practices and opportunities, we can discover areas where we can AMPLIFY efforts to continue supporting WBE’s on their road to success.
How are you planning to AMPLIFY the mission of the WBENC network during your time as a WBE Star?
The impact women-owned businesses have on furthering supplier diversity and economic equity needs to be supported. I aim to support WBENC as they continue extending their reach, such as by referring non-members to join as well as encouraging organizations to partner with certified WBE’s. Further, I plan on continuing to use my position to AMPLIFY WBENC and its mission, while highlighting the importance of women’s entrepreneurship and women’s leadership. In addition, at Rose International we aim to AMPLIFY our diverse spend from 20-30% of all purchases to 35% in the next two years.
Provide an example of how innovation helped you overcome a challenge, pivot, or adapt your business.
By listening to client pain points, Rose International provides tailored solutions that meet and exceed client expectations. We created proprietary software to enhance our recruitment and onboarding processes, as well as vendor management system offerings while adapting to dynamic conditions. Utilizing our recruitment tools significantly enhanced efficiency to find the best job candidates for our clients’ needs.
What areas of innovation do you foresee for women entrepreneurs over the next few years?
With a decentralized workforce and the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, I believe women will leverage technology to further enhance business efficiencies and solutions. With the need to achieve equity, women will be one of the key change drivers to grow diversity, equity and inclusion progress in the workforce and society. As the world addresses the climate crisis and more women make advancements in STEM fields, I foresee women playing key roles in life-changing advancements to create a sustainable future for all.
What have you learned about yourself as a leader from mentoring or coaching others?
Being a leader furthered my understanding of how vital resilience, adaptability and empathy are to effectively lead a team. Understanding the importance of learning, communication and embracing challenges has been pivotal. It’s a journey that requires authenticity with commitment to continuous growth.
What do you view as benefits of being part of the WBENC network?
As a WBENC-certified business, I experience the valuable benefits first-hand, such as gaining new connections that lead to new partnerships for Rose International and having access to resources. Being part of a network that empowers women entrepreneurs, fosters collaboration and furthers diversity in the business landscape is inspiring.
How has engaging in the WBENC Network as a Certified WBE helped your company?
Being part of the WBENC Network as a Certified WBE allowed myself and Rose International to make invaluable collaborations and access various resources to further our business. Since becoming a Certified WBE in 2003, we’ve amplified our reach to showcase Rose International’s offerings and capabilities, fostered connections and enhanced opportunities for growth.
What suggestions would you like to share with a newly certified WBE who is looking to get involved in the WBENC community?
For newly certified WBE’s, I encourage them to seek networking opportunities as they can lead to exciting collaborations in the future. Participating in events and utilizing available resources can provide WBE leaders with invaluable insight. What’s gained from being part of the WBENC community comes from the efforts invested into it.
