It was the start of a new millennium and the Bos’ had just launched MBJ Group, a talent management company, as a way to help business owners build their companies through executive coaching, staff development and strategic services, among other innovative tools.
A former senior vice president of marketing for FCCI, Jim left the corporate world in the summer of 1999; and about six months later, he and his wife decided to start their own company.
Having graduated from Corporate Coach U, the couple utilizes their certified business coaching designation and Jim’s four-year teaching experience in all aspects of their business.
The Bos’ began seeking out business professionals, asking what they could do for them. In doing so, clients began asking the Bos’ for a variety of services – from training new employees to strategic planning and finding potential employees.
On Jan. 1, MBJ Group celebrated its 17th anniversary. Today, the company has expanded its services, focusing primarily on career transition, recruiting and hiring and staff development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
“It’s been very purposeful,” says Jim. “We’re in the people business.”
With more than 60 years of combined experience paired with creativity, human capital and strategic resources, the Bos’ pride themselves on obtaining the optimal performance from an organization and individuals.
Whether it’s a client forging a new career path or an established company searching for an executive, the Bos’ provide each of their clients with a similar focus and attention to detail.
That attention to detail begins with each service. The couple have their client’s complete online assessments to start the process – whether it involves finding a new employee or and individual in a career transition.
“The assessments are what differentiates us from the typical ‘headhunter’,” Jim says. “We’re a boutique selection firm. It gives us a picture of behavioral style, what drives that behavior, the person’s talent and skills and if they have developed their soft skills.”
Once the assessment has been completed, the Bos’ review their findings with the client. While Jim focuses on the for-profit side, Mary Beth Bos, a certified fundraising professional, focuses on the nonprofit side. The husband-and-wife team routinely works together ensuring that each client has an opportunity to meet with them both.
“You get four eyes and not just two eyes on whatever you’re looking at as well as a female and male perspective,” says Jim.
In addition to career transition and corporate services, MBJ Group also offers career options for high school and college students, which focus on helping students plan for the future through assessments, feedback and finding out what they are potentially good at based on who they are.
“We partner with our clients and assist in helping them locate an opportunity that fits who they are, one in which they can excel and be confident in what they do,” Jim says.
Coming off its best year to date, MBJ Group is looking to build off 2016 by continually expanding its client list in 2017. In addition, the Bos’ have aspirations of creating a people’s database for resumes to help better aid clients and organizations in their job search.
In addition to running MBJ Group, the Bos’, who celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in November, are both active on a number of local boards and also run a 13-week Divorce Care program at Covenant Life Church in Sarasota.
The couple also enjoys spending time with their six children and eight grandchildren.
“Family is very important to us,” Jim says.