Celebrating The ARRA Group’s 1st Anniversary

We are so excited to be celebrating our 1st anniversary this spring! Since May 2019, we’ve doubled our team, solidified our mission, and reached our first-year fiscal goals. As a new business, we’ve already had to take on challenges such as hiring during a pandemic and learned to adapt and be flexible to best support our healthcare clients in this uncertain time.

In honor of this 1-year milestone, we sat down with ARRA Group CEO Abby Cravotta to discuss what it’s been like building her own company as a female entrepreneur in 2020.

What did you want to do differently than any other place you’ve worked?

When starting ARRA, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I enlisted a team of individuals to hold me accountable.  My marketing team and long-time business consultant worked day and night to help me build, strategize, and develop ARRA into what it is today.  

We knew that we wanted to create a different experience for the client and the job seeker. Let’s face it; everyone is under pressure right now- hospitals must hire quality to improve quality.  Job seekers also want a quality experience as they navigate through the interview process and change careers.  Both parties are making decisions that affect their bottom line.  

What goal did you set for ARRA when you started, and where are you with that goal?  

I want ARRA to be a recognized name, experience, and service, so when someone chooses to engage with us, they know we mean business. We put their needs and wants first through a tailor-made, customized process. That is our mission: to value each client as our only, by offering unmatched service and expertise to connect exceptional candidates with exceptional hospitals.

My goal is to always invest in the company and its people. We’ve accomplished so much in one short year! We created our Mission, Vision, and Values, built out a complete Marketing Department, enhanced our Recruitment Strategies, and launched Emotional Intelligence (EQ) training course for our recruitment team. Phew! Year 2 is going to be even more exciting!

What companies are you inspired by?

I get inspired by the brand and culture of certain companies and the leaders behind them.   For example, Lean In, Brene Brown, Rachel Hollis, Gary Vaynerchuk, Ryan Serhant, KornFerry. I love seeing what other industries, other than my own, are doing and how audiences respond. Some of my favorite people and companies are those who stick to their core values and aren’t afraid to let their personalities shine.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since starting your own business?

Oh my, where to begin… the biggest lesson may just be to breathe! Anyone who knows me knows that I have high expectations and goals, and I want things done, well, yesterday. So my year 1 lesson and lifelong learning lesson I continually work on is patience. As a dear friend continually says to me, “Rome wasn’t built in a day. These things take time.”  

How do you find the right team members aligned with your company’s goals? What is your advice to ensure it’s a good fit when hiring?  

Take your time and don’t budge on what is most important to be successful in the role you are hiring for. Know your “must-haves” and “deal-breakers.” Make sure that the individual respects the values of the company. Are they going to fit the culture? Culture isn’t just personality. It’s the mission, work ethic, and discipline of the company (to name a few).

Until you have identified someone who meets the values and core competencies of the position and organization, don’t stop interviewing. Certain skills can be learned, but you can’t teach work ethic. So, take your time and hold yourself accountable to who you set out to hire.

What is one thing that no one tells you about starting your own company?

How liberating it is. With all the mixed emotions of fear, anxiety, exhaustion, and doubt, the feeling of liberation and independence have been the silver lining during what can feel like a thunderstorm.  

What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs who want to start their own business?

You can do it. It will take boldness, courage, and perseverance, but if you truly want to be a business owner, you will be. Please don’t give up, and rely on your village. Ask for help. Please ask for help. You do not have to do it alone. I’ve always made a point to surround myself with others who I aspire to be and others who complement areas I might be weaker in. Show the world what you have to offer!

What will ARRA be like on its 5th Anniversary?

This is SO exciting to think about!! The vision for ARRA is to be the preferred, trusted leader in healthcare recruiting by delivering top talent who will transform patient care across the United States.  

On our 5th birthday, I see a harmonious office environment with a high-achieving team of authentic consultants who value their work, deliver exceptional client-tailored services that consistently exceed client expectations, and meet business goals.  

It’s a long-term play, but we know this strategy will pay off in time when prospective candidates and clients see and recognize us as a leader in our industry, one that’s not only respected but also sought out for its reputation and expertise.

Thank you to all of our exceptional clients and candidates that made our first year a success. And most importantly, THANK YOU, ARRA TEAM, for your continued dedication to growth, commitment to succeed, and positive energy that keeps ARRA thriving. Here’s to finishing 2020 strong together.

Cheers!

Abby Cravotta