Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Hatch.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I spent 17 years in the retail industry until the pandemic shifted everything in 2020. When my company closed its doors, the uncertainty of brick-and-mortar retail pushed me to pursue a complete career change. I pivoted into IT and spent time managing COVID-19 testing sites across Houston. As the world began to stabilize, I returned to the job market, which eventually led me to PrideStaff.
I remember walking into the lobby for my 10:00 AM appointment and seeing a room buzzing with energy—full of job seekers and a staff that was clearly dedicated to the mission. My recruiter and I had a great conversation about my background, but as I was finishing my onboarding, the process took an unexpected turn. She told me the owner wanted to speak with me about an internal position.
That was when I met Mike Troyer. He was incredibly candid; he told me that while I didn’t have a background in staffing, he valued my experience and work ethic. He said if I was willing to listen, learn, and put in the work, he would teach me the business. His goal was to build a team of leaders that would eventually allow him to retire in 3–5 years.
I jumped at the opportunity, and this November marks my fourth year with PrideStaff. It has been an absolute honor to help Houston’s job seekers and companies find their perfect professional matches every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Coming from a retail management background, I was used to high-volume operations, but the staffing industry is a different beast entirely. My biggest initial struggle was learning that I wasn’t just ‘selling’ a product—I was representing people’s careers and companies’ bottom lines. There is a lot of emotion involved when someone is looking for work to support their family, or when a client is desperate for help. Learning how to manage those expectations while staying objective was a steep learning curve.
Starting this journey right as the world was emerging from the pandemic meant the rules of hiring were changing constantly. We had to navigate a shifting labor market, remote work transitions, and a new era of candidate expectations.
There were days early on where I felt the weight of the responsibility, but those were the moments when Mike’s mentorship was most valuable. He taught me that in staffing, resilience is just as important as recruitment. You have to be able to handle a no today so you can get to the yes tomorrow. Those early struggles taught me how to be a consultant rather than just a recruiter, and they shaped the leadership style I use today.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PrideStaff?
PrideStaff is a national staffing firm, but our Houston office operates with a deep, personal commitment to our local community. We specialize in connecting top-tier talent with great companies across the Administrative, Light Industrial, and Professional sectors.
What we are known for and what sets us apart is our consultative approach. We aren’t just a ‘resume shop’ that sends bodies to fill seats. We take the time to understand the culture of the businesses we serve and the career goals of the people we represent. Because of my own background in retail management and managing high-pressure sites, I ensure our team looks beyond the paper. We look for the it factor, the work ethic, and reliability that can’t always be taught.
What I am most proud of brand-wise is our consistency and reputation. Our HTX PrideStaff has won the ClaerlyRated ‘Best of Staffing’ award for 4 years in a row, which is based directly on client and talent feedback. That isn’t just a trophy on the shelf, it’s proof that we treat people with dignity. Whether it’s a candidate like I was, looking for a fresh start, or a company needing specialized support, we provide a high-touch experience.
I want your readers to know that we are more than just a hiring resource, we are strategic partners. In an era where hiring can feel like a cold, automated process, we still believe in the power of a face-to-face conversation. We are here to help Houston’s economy thrive by putting people to work in roles where they can actually grow—just like I did.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I was raised by my grandparents, and with my grandmother being Cajun, my favorite childhood memories are centered around our big weekend family gatherings. It didn’t matter if it was a holiday or just a random Sunday, there was always a pot of something delicious cooking, music playing, and cousins running around the house.
Everything revolved around family and hospitality. Being raised in that environment, you learn early on how to talk to anyone, how to make people feel at home, and that there is truly always room for one more person at the table. Looking back, growing up in that beautiful, loud, and busy home was the perfect training for my career today. Whether I’m managing a retail team or a bustling staffing lobby, I still carry that big family energy, a place where everyone is treated like they belong and no one leaves without being taken care of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pridestaff.com/houstonnw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrideStaffHoustonNorthwest/
