Business Spotlight Stephanie Martin

By Tabitha Ervin,
Editorial Director

A few years ago I got to know Stephanie Martin and her work in the community as the sole owner of A Chance Re-Employment and Training Agency, LLC which she founded in 2018. A Chance Re-Employment Agency, LLC is a faith-based company that assists individuals with occupational barriers to obtain workplace skills in preparation for securing suitable and sustainable employment. In our interview, we caught up about all the things she’s doing now and what drives her work and how she got here as an entrepreneur with multiple businesses.

Ervin: Thanks for chatting today! I know you've recently relocated so bring me up to speed on what you’re doing now.

Martin: I have expanded my businesses from just Fort Wayne to the Fishers/Indianapolis area along with an Airbnb in Texas. I now, along with my staffing agency, have S&P Transportation, S&P Transitional living with locations in Fort Wayne and opening a second location in Indy and I am also a travel agent now.

Ervin: Wow that’s a lot! Tell me about the businesses you’ve added.

Martin: Well everything I do is based around something I’ve been through so when I opened the staffing agency almost 4 years ago I remember my father being in and out of prison and even as a carpenter he had a hard time getting a job and keeping it so he would end up back on the streets. And a friend of mine, her now deserved fiancé said to me one time, “I wish someone would give me a second chance”, from that, A Chance Re Employment Agency was born.

I had been working at the unemployment office and I just felt like people needed more support than we could give. I prayed about it and God led me to open my own business. At the time I was a single mom, battling breast cancer, in school for 2 masters degrees and used $125 and google to get started on this journey of helping others.

The other businesses I’ve added, the transportation company is to support people getting back and forth to work for a reasonable or low cost and with transitional housing, people in my life have battled addictions and more. I've seen how hard it is to get back on your feet and the support you need as you are in transition. The transitional house in Fort Wayne for women is semi-independent and the last step to full independence. People typically graduate and transition to their own home. We provide structure and support along with helping people realize their potential resources and safe space for recovery. We help people however we can and give them information for other resources if it’s something we can’t provide. The transitional house in Indy will be for men and women.

Ervin: So how did you get here?

Martin: My faith has been a big part of my journey. Honestly I was skeptical when I first started and I didn’t really know what I was doing. Several people helped me along the way as I was getting established and I don’t take what I have for granted. When I started I was giving free workplace training around the community in places like the YWCA, the Rescue Mission and others to those who were underemployed whether it be a disability, language barrier, veteran status, criminal history or just underserved. I had free office space for a few months at the Fort Wayne Urban Enterprise Center. I didn’t start off wanting to be an entrepreneur, it found me. God has this plan for me and I’m following it.

Ervin: This is excellent and I’m so happy for you! Tell me about your staffing structure.

Martin: I have about 76 employees total and about 10 of them are office staff and the others support the transitional housing and transportation company. I make sure to take care of my staff knowing that they are caring for their families as well. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. I’ve never really had any large funding source or loans. I put what I make back into my business. I feel that I was placed here to make a difference and my motto is: People build business, business doesn't build people. My work is focuses on the people we serve and my staff as we promote economic growth in the community.

Ervin: How can people get connected to you and your work if they need support?

Martin: All of our contact info is as follows: achancereemployment@gmail.com phone: 260.418.6883