Episode 67: The Background Screening Collective: Izzy Stapleton, Jamie Frankos, Megan Martinson & Robin Shaffer

I have to be honest with you, I was not sure what to expect going into this one. Four guests, a panel format, all of them colleagues and friends with each other. But within the first few minutes I knew this was going to be one of my favorite episodes.

In this panel episode, Les Rosen sits down with the hosts of the Background Screening Collective to hear how the podcast got started, what it's really like to operate on the wholesale side of the industry, and why community, not competition, is the defining culture of background screening. The conversation covers career origin stories, the realities of regulatory frustration, why AI is reshaping entry-level roles, and the life lessons that keep them grounded through all of it.

Pro Conversation You Don't Want to Miss!

• How the Background Screening Collective started from a PBSA conference moment when SAS realized almost no one in the industry knew who they were
• The wholesaler perspective on county criminal work being devalued, court access issues, and the Whac-A-Mole reality of government regulations affecting real people trying to get jobs
• Megan's candid advice that entry-level verifier roles are at real AI risk, and why now is the time to pivot toward product, sales, or operations
• Robin on personal brand: your stock travels with you from company to company and industry to industry, so never stop building it
• Four very different fun facts: Jamie moved 18 times as a Navy brat, Robin can recite all English prepositions in alphabetical order, Megan has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and is impressively flexible, and Izzy speaks three languages and has a motorcycle license

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a conversation. Thanks to our sponsor, PreemploymentDirectory.com, publisher of Background Buzz and numerous other resources. And a special thanks to W. Barry Nixon.

Connect with US:

• Les Rosen- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@BehindtheSCreens200

Transcript

0:06

Welcome to Behind the Screens Conversations with Background Screening Pros. I'm Melus Rosen, your host, and I'm excited to have you here. On this podcast, we chat with the people who know the background screening world inside and out. Executives, industry experts, legal pros, and more. We dive into their personal stories and insights to give you a real look at what's happening behind the scenes. Whether you work in the screen industry or are just curious, behind the screens bring you the real unfiltered conversations from the people who make it all happen. Stick around for stories you won't hear anywhere else. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of Behind the Screens Conversations with Background Screening Pros. And part of the fun for me in doing this program is not only do I get to talk to people that I've worked with over the years and I know pretty well or somewhat, but I get to talk to people that I don't know as well, new people. And today we have just a fantastic group of people who are have impressed me so much with their talent, their dedication, their energy, their perspective, what they bring to the industry. It's just amazing. And I'm pleased to present today's panel, the Background Screening Collective. We have with us Izzy Stapleton, we have Jamie Francos, we have Megan Martinson and Robin Schaeffer. Folks, welcome. Happy to have you on the program. Hi, Lee. Thanks for having us. Thanks for having us. So let's start with the the first just general question. Where's everybody calling us from today? Today I'm calling in from my home office in St. Petersburg, Florida. Wow, where the weather, I assume, is beautiful and wonderful. Today it's been kind of interesting, actually. Slightly colder weather for us this time of year, like was in 73 and gloomy, which is very odd for Florida. So it's very abnormal this weather, but I take it because 73 in April in Florida, it's pretty much unheard of. So yeah, wow, you're lucky then. Jamie, where are you calling in from? Surprise, surprise, I'm in another hotel room on the road. Uh today I flew from Charlotte to right now, I'm in Indianapolis. Well, welcome to the show. And Megan, where are you calling in from today? I am in South Jersey. So it's cold here today. It's in the 50s, so 73 sounds amazing to me. But yeah, right over the bridge from Philly. All right. So we got we got we got we got someone from Joycey today. And and Robin, how about you? Where are you calling in from? I'm calling in from Florida, but I'm on the East Coast. So it's been all rain for the past couple days. But like Izzy was saying, I'll take it. We get beautiful weather this time of year. That's why most people are down here. But yeah, happy to be here. Wow. Well, this is great. Well, we're from all over the place. So let's get right to it. Jamie, tell us about your current role. Tell us about what you currently do, what you find interesting about it, and also your your career path. How did you get from wherever you started to where you are now? Wow, let me try to condense that in a really short amount of time. I am currently the vice president of Global Partnerships and Alliances with Fairly. We do social media background checks. We are in Easton, Maryland. And so as most of you guys know and who follow me on LinkedIn, I'm quite the little person on traveling. I like to travel and get my frequent flyer miles. Um how did I get into this role? Wow. Well, I started out at Pricewaterhouse Cooper's. I was a change management consultant. Um and just quickly after that, I went to my first startup. And then I kind of just love being in the startup world. I kind of thrive in the chaos, so to speak. So I've been in with Weir at least pretty much since the beginning. Um, and it's been seven years now that we are actively growing and one social media check at a time, right? Right. That fantastic. I love that. Thriving on chaos. So all right. It keeps you going. Megan, how about you? What are you currently doing and and how'd you how did you get involved? Currently, I'm the vice president of sales and product development at Red Trends Technologies my path. Like everybody in this industry, it it wasn't intentional coming into background screening. It kind of just needed a job at the moment while I was in grad school. I started off as an in-court researcher at SJV, which became informed data. Then I moved into vendor management, into product development, sales, revenue operations, moved over to another smaller wholesaler. And then Rich Mass came to me and asked me to come on board and help them open their company and start moving things along. Excellent. And Robin, how about yourself? What are you currently doing and how did you end up wherever you are? Thanks for having me. I am an operations executive. I see myself as a systems builder, a force multiplier, and I can do that kind of anywhere. So I'm a little bit of an industry hopper, as I've admitted before. I come with experience across logistics, biotech, mass communications, public sector. And currently finishing up my EMBA, thinking about where I want to have the most impact next. But from this chameleon story, I ended up in screening about four years ago. Love the industry. The patent recognition clicked right in. There's a lot of overlap in what you do operationally in freight logistics and what you do here in terms of order management, cross-functional stakeholders, and just the chaos of it all through unprecedented external events and regulations. Well, that seems to be a recurring thing. And congratulations on working on the MBA. It's quite an accomplishment. So that's very cool. And Izzy, how about you? What are you currently doing and what was your path from there to here? So I'm currently the vice president of business development for SAS, which is a wholesale in the space. I'm also the president of Sonora BPO, which is an outsourcing company, also in the space and outside of the space. How I got here, that's a long story. So my journey starts in Brazil. I'm from Brazil originally. I moved to the US after nursing school at 22. I've done nursing. I've been in ER, flight nursing, fake nursing for like 12 years. About seven years into it, I knew it was time for a career change. I just didn't quite know where to go from there. So I ended up in a unicorn startup where I met Robin. And it was a COVID relief company. And we opened a bunch of COVID sites everywhere throughout the whole United States and eventually vaccines. From there, I opened my own CRA for a year and joined my husband's company at SAS right after that. He was my supply chain and he needed a lot of help. So I ended up closing my CRA and jumped ship with him full time. And now I'm here. So that's kind of my way around into the industry. I don't think any of us really kind of came into it as a straight line, but yet we're all here and sticking around and loving every minute of it. So that and that's that's quite the adventure, going from nursing to being involved in starting, running, and growing a business. That's fantastic. Congratulations. It's an interesting path, a very different one, I think, but I I love it. I wouldn't do it any other way. Oh, that's fantastic. Well, yeah, it's always interesting to talk about mentors that people have had or influencers in your career. Megan, tell us, do you have anyone you want to give give out a shout-out to or an influencer that they want to mention? Well, God, I can't boost his ego and call him an influencer. But um, I would say the person that has had the most impact on my career and who has mentored me the most was Vince Brute. And he is someone that I worked for at SJV slash informedata for that whole merger. Yeah, he's really guided me and set me up for success. So very grateful to him. Oh, fantastic. And of course, it's almost like the Academy Awards. You know, you yeah you you can thank everyone in the world and you hate to leave people out, but this is sort of you know top of mind. So, Robin, what about you? Any mentors or or shout outs you want to give as as far as your career? Besides my mother, who's been mentoring me from I was hired, so someone I really look up to as a mentor. I actually met him when I was 17. He's the news director. I'm from Belize, Central America, and he's the news director for one of the major news networks there. And he's been doing that from he was a kid himself, in a way. So from 17 to now, I've updated him on every major life event, every professional accomplishment, and even personal grief and loss. He was at my wedding. So I think for a lot of us, mentorship, those mentors become deep close friends over time and a big part of your development. So fantastic. And let's see if I if I got this right, Izzy. Uh, how about you? Anyone you want to give a shout-out to or a mentor you want to mention? Oh, yes. I have to say Kim Curry is definitely the person for me. She's the first person I met even before I was in the industry, and she's been mentoring Seth and I ever since. So shout out to Kim. Oh, fantastic. And and Jamie, how about you? On the same same question, any mentors or shout-outs you wanna you wanna share with us? Yep, I'll give two. Um, my number one mentor and biggest cheerleader will always be my dad. He is 73 years old now and still just any opportunity he can to like a Facebook page or like a LinkedIn post, he will do that. So he's instilled into me my work ethic, and I will always look at up to him for that. Uh as far as the industry goes, my big shout out's gonna go to Nick Fishman. I think that he's an you know an OG of the industry, he's uh a veteran of the industry, and I just really look at him as a friend, but also a mentor. And he's one of those people just has such great insight on so many things that it's you can just call and say, What do you think about this? And he's a good sounding board, and um I really admire him within his industry. Oh fantastic. Yeah, and Nick was a guest previously in the show. And I think it's worth noting that all four of you are mentors as well to other people. I mean, you're you're I I I I think I can save safely say that that you all are very open to advising and and working and uh uh with new people and younger people in things in the industry. So congratulations on that as well. Uh I always love to hear about people uh when they talk about what what I call proud moment. And and people don't like the brag. I get that. And there's this fine line, and and you don't want to come off like you know too much. But on the other hand, all of us have something in our careers that kind of bring a smile to our face and say, Yeah, I did that. That's that was pretty cool. You know, and it could be personal, it could be professional, just something you want to share with you know with the entire listening world. Again, kind of the uh brings a smile to your face type moment. I have been a achievement chaser. Like I'm the kid that always sat at the front and raised my hand, and so you know, Dean's List, Valedictorian, la, all throughout. But I never really felt those achievements because I was always chasing, I don't know, the next thing. And it wasn't until COVID hit and I had to sit down and do nothing and be locked up in my house that I started really thinking about that pattern. And and I had to change my whole life during COVID. I moved out of my country to the US with like two grand in my bank account. And when you move to a new country, especially the states, it doesn't matter that you have a master's and you speak Chinese and you did this and you manage this loan and whatever. You're starting from scratch, $20 an hour, 2020. That was me in that COVID company, climbing, climbing, climbing to the next thing, the next thing, the next thing within that company and then beyond. And that's probably my proudest achievement is that pattern of being able to start over. I started over in Asia, in you in the UK, in Belize, and Haver. And I really feel like I could start over anywhere. So that's where I finally had that. I'm satisfied, I'm content, I'm I'm proud. Oh, that's great. Well, well, and thank you for sharing. So uh Izzy, what about you? Is something that comes to mind that you want to share? That's a a smile to your face type proud moment. Yes, I mean, I'm gonna bring up really more skills than moments. I think kind of like Robin, I think really the skills are what makes me proud. And because moments are very temporary, but the skills kind of go along with us forever, right? For me, I'd have to say one skill that I really am proud of is my communication skills. There's always room for improvement, but I constantly work at it and it's evolved throughout the years in like many different positions. And you know, communication is key for success and clarity. So I am proud of that for sure. I'm also proud of my ability to start something without having a clear roadmap or the skill to even get it going. I'm not afraid to learn something new, learning as I'm going, looking a little silly along the way, because let's be honest, if we're learning something new, you're gonna look silly. And I can do that over and over and over again and always seeking new ways to learn and new things to improve on. So those are my two things that I'm really proud of. And that's a great point. The second thing you brought up is sometimes you uh can't let the need for perfection be the inertia of the way that ties you down. Sometimes you you you know you're right, you you know you can feel it, and sometimes you just have to go for it and and solve it as you go along. So that's you know, that's true entrepreneurship sometimes. So that's that's fantastic. Well, congratulations. And then Jamie, how about you? Mine's really simple. Les uh proudest moment that I'll always stick to this are my two boys. Uh I have an 18-year-old and a uh soon-to-be 16-year-old. My 18-year-old is graduating high school this year and will be going on to the University of Alabama. So I will be a roll-tide mom. So I've those are my two proudest accomplishments. Um, from a personal standpoint in the industry, mine's very simple to be honest. Um, social media screen screening is a is a niche within the background screening world. And I'm just glad that I have a little piece of educating the market on what social media screening is and what's the value. That well, that's that's very good. Fantastic. Congratulations. I would say my biggest achievement and thing I'm most proud of is coming from a pretty bad situation. I am in recovery and I share that with everyone. And I've literally come from a place where I could do nothing and I've created this career. So that is in and of itself my proudest smiling moment. Brings a smile in my face. And I tell that, I share that with people to give people hope because that's the one thing that you don't have when you're in the midst of that hell. So I'm always around if anybody needs to talk, or if anybody's struggling. Oh, fantastic. Well, those are those are great insights. I and and I I really appreciate you sharing them. Well, let's let's go on to the background of Screening Collective, which kind of brings all together as a group. For those who haven't listened, it's it's a great podcast. I highly recommend it. Well, let's talk about the why. What was the the fining moment or conversation that made you all realize we need to start a podcast? Uh and what what specific need did you see? And I and I realize that what's really unique about your podcast is you some you somehow have a uh a roving team because there's people that are and have been and and new people, which is really, I think, really interesting. So maybe we'll start with Izzy. What was the the why of the podcast? What kind of got you all together to say, hey, it's like an old Julie Garland Mickey Rudy movie. Let's let's do a musical in the barn. Hey, let's do a podcast. What what kind of brought it about? Interesting question. So we kind of started in a PBSA 2024, end of year. We SAS got a booth for the first time, and we got there and realized we've been open for almost 10 years, but no one knew who we were. Not a single soul in this vet in this industry knew who we were. So when we came home, we're like, we have to change this. Then all of a sudden, randomly, Megan reaches out and says, Hey, let's get on a call. And then we got on a conscious, like, we need to start a podcast. And then Robin and I were like, okay, let's go. So that's kind of how it all started. It really was something that was brought up, but because of the need to really give visibility within the industry, we were we're all in for it. And it kind of developed into what it is today, more of a community. And beyond the podcast, we do you know events and we live events, and it's always molding into something different and new. So it's really fun and kind of gets us doing different things and meeting new people. And but that's kind of how it all started. Oh, that's fantastic. So, yeah, this kind of this common idea like how do we make people aware of us and and how do we differentiate and and get the word out, and at the same time make connections, have fun, do interesting things, and and create a sense of community. So I I love it. Let's see where we go. Jamie, I think you started, if I understand it right, from what I've been told, you you you joined the cast this year. Yeah, it makes sense. I mean, I I started a LinkedIn newsletter for my own self a year ago, and Megan and I have always been close in the industry, and she introduced me to Izzy and Robin. And I think for me, I look at it from a networking perspective. And if it's if it's an opportunity of all of us in the industry to be able to share ideas and bounce things off of each other, and also ultimately be referrals for each other's business. That's perfectly great. And and and Megan, so you were one of the inscators along with Izzy. What's your thought? What was the why for you behind the podcast? I knew I wanted to do something, I didn't know what it was. When I was at Inform, I started women in background screening as a group on LinkedIn, and we didn't do much with it. I started it and then life happened. I wanted to re bring that to life, and that's when I reached out to Izzy, started reaching out to women in the industry. Then I realized it doesn't have to be women. That group still is there, though, in case we need a women's support group. But I happened to reach out to Izzy and that was fate. And the rest, you know, it's all history. It happened. But yeah, we needed something for marketing purposes, and we were just missing something like networking. It's lonely working behind the computer screen in a remote world. I mean, it's it's such a great idea that for another another voice, another perspective to be heard in a community context where where where everyone's welcome and can join in. And and Robin, how did you get roped into this merry group? Well, I have formal training in mass communications and I know how to set up a podcast, microphones, cardiroid microphones, condenser microphones. So, you know, it's a natural, like I said, I'm a force multiplier, I'm an executor. You have an idea, Liz, you call me, I can make it happen. Oh, that's fantastic. So the the description on the podcast mentions the need to align on to survive and thrive. And we may have already have talked about this, but you know, we can focus on some more of the core emotional connection or the or the shared beliefs that you all have as hosts and participants uh on this. Well, hit Jamie on this one. I think for me, um, I think everybody would concur is that the community itself, again, is to me, I look at it as a community of networking of individuals, like-minded individuals that are in the background screening industry. And how can we share ideas together? And how can we, hey, do you know this person? And can you maybe give me an introduction? And what do you think of this new bill that passed? And just shooting ideas back and forth in an informal way that people feel comfortable. I just wanted to add on as well, those trade shows, they're such a whirlwind. And if you're new, especially if you're new, it can be so intimidating to hit up, like you know, the board members and the industry experts of it all and get their insights. Those people are tend to be surrounded by crowds and everyone's moving and in sessions. And so those touch points are so small, you don't get to really hear people's perspectives on things and tap into their expertise and share your own and see where those conversations develop. So a part of it came from that too. Not everyone can access those conferences and those conversations and this knowledge. We just had Scott Paler. And my gosh, talking to a lawyer with all the regulatory changes constantly happening, it's such a privilege. So to add on to Jamie, absolutely the community element and then amplifying that for everyone. Yeah, I think it's so important having conversations. The more conversations, the more points of connection, the more back and forth, you know, the better. Meg and Izzy, you want to jump in on that one? I agree with everything everybody said so far. Another thing I want to point out, mentorship, we talked about it briefly. It's so important. There are a lot of really, really smart people in our industry who don't have a voice, or they're not a face on a screen on LinkedIn, but they're really valuable and we need to help shape them and bring them up, elevate them into our industry. So, part of my goal with the podcast was to create a forum for mentorship opportunities for women and Particular out in the butt's a problem with remote work. Nobody is sitting there saying, Okay, like looking over your shoulder, wow, so-and-so is doing a really good job. She should do XYZ to move up. So maybe that person doesn't know how to move up, but maybe the podcast can help, or they will have the courage to reach out to one of us, which people have. So that's really important to me. Help elevate people. We had a podcast, women in screening, and one of the speakers made a point. I I think similar to some of the points you're making, is that a lot of time people and and it will will not actually you know stand up for themselves as easily and let people know what they did. Because it sounds like bragging, right? And and but on the other hand, if you don't have a voice and if you don't keep the record clear and make it clear what your contributions are, you don't want to get lost either. So it's always, you know, they're trying to figure it out. And and Izzy, how about yourself? What's the core emotional connection or shared belief as a host that you that you bring or as you see it? Before I answer your question, what you said about people bragging or really telling their story is how I call it, right? But some people do see it as bragging. That's particularly true for women. I think we all do that in one way or another. And I think that's why elevating women is such a big like core of what we all want to be a part of. But for me was about connections for sure. And that includes pretty much everything the other lady said, right? Connections to mentorship, to referrals, to maybe pick somebody's brain on some a problem I'm trying to solve that maybe Megan already solved or Jamie or Robin, right? Like I think having that network of people that you can reach out to, whether it's for a referral, for learning, for an opportunity to be in a room, that's what the space really was created to do. And that's what I want to make sure that I continue to make space for. Boy, I mean, two great points. The fact is, and and as you said, that you know, particularly for women members of not only artists, but a lot of industries, the not wanting to, you know, feeling, oh gosh, it's it's not, you know, is this really proper for me to speak up and say, Well, I did this. Well, yeah, right. I mean, and I I think people know there's a fine line between you know being obnoxious about it and just being factual and clear, and which I think is important. And then the connectedness, because I think the it's it's all about connections. So that's all this is all really, really great stuff. I really appreciate it. One of the things I uh on the podcast is that, and I think it's really interesting. Yeah, my most of my career I was a CRA, although I was I was an early wholesaler, I had a company called Reference Pro. We were the first ones to do outsourced verifications. So I I had a taste of the supplier side. But what are the when you talk about a wholesaler's perspective, what are the unique joys and frustrations of of being a service provider behind the scenes? And are there any unwritten rules of the wholesale business you wish that CRA and users would know? I would say we're struggling with county crimp. It's being devalued by some other companies. There are so many vendors out there. The price point has just been driven so low. We're facing struggles with courts and local governments to be trying to redact dates at birth. I don't need to tell anyone watching this podcast about that. It's really hurting people. I met a woman who didn't get a job. She lost her job because the background check couldn't clear her in California fast enough. Um, and that's not the CRA's fault. It's not our political wholesale's either. It's the government's fault. So it's a broken system. They're trying to fix it and to help people, but they're it's like fixing this over here and breaking this over here at the same time. So that's really frustrating. Watching things happen like that, people losing their job, like not getting the job or not getting the apartment that they need because of things that C RA can't help because that the wholesaler can help. Frustrated by that. And yeah, it really I don't know how to decide. Well, I yeah, I it and it's a little like whack-a-mole, you know, you you fix one county or one state, and then another state pops up, and then another and and and yeah, I've been making this argument for years too, you know, at various public officials that the you know their outlook is, well, you're making money off selling our data. No, we're we're providing all sorts of services to the employer and helping you get the data out, and and they somehow think, oh, we've got to protect this data. Well, no, the job applicant wants us to have the data because they want the job. And and so we have these endless discussions and you know, and and finally, it and finally I think it breaks through. So it's it may, but you're right, that that really is frustrating. The amount of time that companies spend dealing with this, like the especially like the really big companies, it is wild. So that's why, yeah, I absolutely love that PBSA takes that on for us. Yeah, and then PBSA has the access committee, and that's that's one of the big reasons for PBSA is to fight these government restrictions. But but anyway, anyone, anyone else jump in? So it started with the wholesale focus because everyone was in wholesale. Over the year, we have really expanded with our guests, with our scope, with products we're talking about, topics we're talking about. So it was a great basis to start. And now it's expanding more and more into the other functional elements of our of our work because our industry is so special and that there's so many layers of overlap that don't talk to each other. Like I went to NDSA and I went to PBSC, and I was thinking, man, we should all be in the same room sometimes, you know. Um, so I think this serves that as well. Like we are here too, you know. Well, those who are wholesale. Exactly. Uh and Izzy or Jamie, you want to add to that? Yes, absolutely. So you asked about joy. For me, the thing that really brings me joy is knowing how important the information we're providing to our clients for them to make a decision, a very important decision, whether it's a hiring decision, it's an important decision for their business, right? That's the joy to me. And of course, on the other side of that, there's an applicant seeking for a job, seeking for a place to live. I try to keep that part really in the forefront of my mind. These are not just words on the computer, these are real people trying to make their lives better in whatever way. Frustration. When things go right, it seems to be invisible. When things go wrong, it's on the forefront of everybody's mind. Generally, lots of frustration without really trying to understand the complexity of all the moving pieces of what we do, right? Lots of parts. So that's the part that frustrates me the most. But again, part of what we do is educate, right? Like Jamie was saying, like that is pretty much a huge part of what we need to be doing for our clients. So that is the frustrating, but also the big opportunity in what we do. Exactly. The unwritten rule, I'd say it's really a partnership approach to this. Again, I'm gonna quote Jamie one more time. Like it's a partnership, not transaction. And it's truly this industry is built on partnerships. It's very little about just transactions. So I think that part is something that's worth saying. And that means that the best results from everything comes from trust, building a relationship, taking the time to get to know people, spend time with them, and really creating that referral program on people that you do trust, help each other grow in that way. So that's it for me. Yeah, I mean, and those are some really important points. I mean, I love the idea, and we've talked about with other guests that you know, there's there's there's always a human being behind everything we do, but we're in an industry that inherently there's gonna be an error rate. I mean, there's just so much data, so many people, and statistically, something's gonna go wrong at some point. I mean, it just it just it will never happen that it won't, which is why you know we're so focused on processes and procedures. But the idea that as a partnership, I when I was actually in the business, we always treated our our wholesalers as members of our own family because we're partners. You're you're the background industry to the background industry. So and so the the CREs don't have anything they could the sale with without the wholesalers getting it for them. And so it's it's uh we're all in different parts of the same ecosystem. So it's all really interesting stuff. And Jamie, let me make sure you you have a chance to jump in on this one as well. I just thought they're all quoting me on my partnerships, but I think that I for me, my perspective is 100%, we are all in this as partners and not transactions. And to piggyback a little bit less after your previous question in this terms of I think that in the ecosystem that we're all working in is that the reality is is we all know each other, whether it's first degree, second degree, third degree, right? Like someone knows someone. So if it's a matter of let's all work together and be partners, great. But I may not know that exact person. But guess what? I can reach out to a Megan. I can reach out to a Les and say, I know you know them, help me out here. So I'm a big I will preach it and preach and preach it. These ladies know that partnerships are my love language in the industry. I'm a big, big fan of it. And finally, let's let's wrap up before we move on to the juicy stuff, like the stuff that happens outside of background screening. What's the single most rewarding aspect of creating and hosting this particular podcast? Is it the the candid conversations, the feedback, the connections, or something else? What what really what really drives you? What what makes you feel so good about it? Well I'll say exactly what you just said, Les. It's the connections, it's the community. I'm big into transparency and I'm big into Canon. I like off the cuff discussions. And that's where a lot of lot of a lot of things happen when you just brainstorm, like like Izzy said, you just go for it. You you know, you just you have these discussions, all of a sudden, you know, someone says something and the light bulb goes off. Oh my gosh, yeah. And then a whole new string of consciousness comes out. Right. So that's always that's the fun part. So the first PBSA that I went to after the podcast came out, I was walking down the hall and like people were like, Oh, you're the podcast, it's Megan, I love that. And I was like, Oh my god, what but like I got to meet uh like Rebecca Weiser, she is one of the people that I met just because she was like, Oh, and the podcast. And it turns out like we're good friends, like now. So because just because of the podcast, so it's really cool to meet new people because we have really cool people in this industry, right? Right. Oh, that's fantastic. And and Rob and Rizzy, you want to jump in? Yeah, I love learning. Number one, I love learning everything. Let's I can learn about like shoelaces for an hour. So when I get to talk with someone one-on-one or two on one or three on one, it's it's so fun. And then starting something from scratch, this was an idea in our heads, and now it's a community thriving of 700 plus. And we have over, you know, multiple episodes. And and I wish I had to watch time metrics to share here right now for this part of the the podcast, but ultimately we've built something really fun and really special, and and that's the joy. It's seeing something that was in your head now, alive and arriving and doing its own thing without you. That and I agree, it's really so much fun. You talk to someone, it might be something you never thought about, cared about, knew about, heard about, and and they're passionate about it. And then all of a sudden it's like, wow, that's interesting. And uh there's just like so much, so much is happening in this world. And and Izzy, how about you? What's your what's what's the most rewarding aspect of for you for you in terms of the podcast? I'm pretty much just gonna have to echo what the three ladies just said, honestly. The fun thing for me is really getting to know the people. I'm a people person, I learn from people, I like connections, I thrive in those. I need them for myself, right? To learn and to grow. So that's really the biggest thing for me is just meeting the people, not just the titles and the words and their pictures on LinkedIn, but getting to know at least a little bit more who that person is. The thing that's been the most fun for me, and of course, gaining visibility in an authentic way, right? Like it is recorded so we can edit, so it's a little bit more polished than your regular webinar. But at the end of the day, it's us showing up, talking, and you know, getting ourselves out there. And that's been a really fun, challenging, uncomfortable, and very rewarding experience for me. Yeah. And I think people really respond to the authenticity. So when you know, when you're you're real and and what's coming out is real, and and people go, okay, whether they agree or disagree or whatever. It's that people really respond to that. That's true. So we're gonna jump uh a couple other topics, but and and and and we we may do may may do this really quick as just a quick round robin. But one thing I'm always fascinated about is to ask people about an early lesson that they learned. And we all learn lots of lessons every day in all aspects of our life, but but what's something that comes to mind? Just something that it doesn't have to be business related, but if you know people often tell me it's something business related, just one lesson you learned early in your career that has stuck with you that you'd like to share so maybe other people don't make the same mistakes. I mean, there's some mistakes I made so that were so bad that I I liked them so much I made them again and again. But why don't we we'll just do a round robin? I just we'll just go back and Izzy, if you don't mind, we'll start with you on this one and just go down the list. What was an early lesson you that you'd like to share and perhaps help someone to avoid? Well, my broken record phrase that I use for years and I live by this is if you don't ask, the answer is already no. So always ask for what you want. And that lesson has really taken me to different countries, different careers, different lives that I never would have had otherwise, just because I sat in front of someone, told my story, and asked for what I wanted because the no I already had. So I really live by that and I use that in every aspect of my life. That was an early lesson I learned. That is so true. That's a great quote. If you don't ask, the answer is no, right? And you're you're never gonna get anywhere. So those that's a great one. Let's go go to Jamie. What's the lesson that comes to mind that you'd like to share? My early on would probably be is I kind of live by it as listen first, react second. I learned that early on in my consulting career. I think everybody starts off and wants to be strong and go go fast out of the gate. But I think if you take a step back and listen first before you react, it makes a huge difference. And then the second thing is that I'll I'll give another shout-out to my dad is that be humble. Um, I think that we live in a society where as much as it's great to elevate people, but also be humble. Be humble. It it speaks volumes of your character. I I think that's so true. I mean the degree to which you're willing to elevate someone really shows who you are, elevates you as well. So that's that's a great lesson. Meg, and then we'll go to Robin. Anything you want to share, what would you like to share? Everything that everybody said was so true. I would just say making mistakes is the best way to learn. And when you don't get what you want, you're probably getting what you need or what you should have. Sounds like a Rolling Stones song somehow. That's a nod to my father. But yeah, I would say always try because it's the worst that can happen. I used to have fear, and sometimes you just have to jump. Go for it. Go for it. Worst thing is not gonna happen. Like you think all this horrible stuff might happen, but it really won't. Yeah, I I had to add that. I mean, one of the things that's really unique about about any PBS and PBSA is that you can go to anybody, it doesn't matter who they are, and and if you have a question, you know, 99% of the folks are are happy to talk and share. I I mean what they share may or may not be valid. That's up to you to decide, but it's all right. But but I always say that at least I think this is one industry that I've worked in that it's interesting that if you really think about it, we're all competitors, but we all play in the same sandbox together and are willing to help each other. So I think that speaks volumes to to PBSA and also all the people that are part of the industry. Exactly. And and Robin, we'll uh what about you? We'll we'll finish up this question with you. A lesson you want to share. I've always been an avid reader, and you asked the lesson I learned early. Shakespeare, it was a huge, huge Shakespeare festival. And this above all else, to thine own self be true. Know who you are, know your values, know what makes you tick, and you'll be fine in any circumstance. You'll know what to do. We interviewed Rebecca not too long ago, Rebecca Harry Smith, and she trusted her gut when she advocated in New York for access to the PAP, right? So it's in our industry and everybody's stories. The the biggest accomplishments we make, the biggest needle we move is when we trust our gut. Know who we are kind of and as soon as I gotta go to AI and re and try to remember which play that came from, but I own self-be true. That that's great. Yeah, I mean, yeah, and that speaks to integrity. I mean, you gotta live with yourself, you have to you have to, you know, advocate for yourself. Yeah. Okay, great. Oh, fantastic. This has been so much fun. So this is, I mean, I'm I'm learning a lot just listening and and hearing things. So this has been a really great experience. All of you have mentioned at one time PBSA, and so this is just a group jump in. What has PBSA meant for your careers or your professional development, that sort of thing? I'll go quick because I'm the newest PBSA, and I just want to say I'm so grateful that they have connected me to the larger picture of what it is we do, and not just here in the US, but internationally. I think their international efforts have been incredible. And just their materials on their website alone, you don't even have to go to go to conferences, but if you can't, the materials on their website alone will help open your mind and see where you fit. Fantastic. Anyone else jump on in? I'm gonna say my biggest component with PBSAs, and these ladies already know this. I went to all PBSAs last year, and I planned to do the same this year. So my biggest advice to anybody is go be open to PBSAs outside of your comfort zone in the United States. I think understanding what the screening world looks like from a global perspective, not just a United States perspective, opens your eyes to a lot of things. Great advice. And and and Megan, Izzy? PBSA for me has been a great place to actually get in front of people. Their conferences. I had not met anyone in person, essentially if they didn't work at a company that I worked at before. So the opportunities I would say if anything, I wish I could have more, which is why we're trying to do little meetups, because I thrive under that. Getting in front of people is really that's the value. Fantastic. And Izzy, how about you? Yeah, for me, it's much like Megan. I think PBSA is kind of like the central place where we all meet, right? Like that's like our our home, if you will. And and that's really where the magic happens, right? The energy, the learning, the getting to know the people, and just being in a room out of the office, you know, talking to people, presenting, telling your story, telling about your product, but really just telling about yourself and your story and learning about people. That's again where it really is impactful for me because I learn best from people and getting to be in that room with them is priceless. So that's why we want to make more room to make more impersonal connections as well. Because you know, Jamie goes to all of them in international one. And I I'm looking forward to making to the international ones soon, too. But if you're just going to the national ones, right, that's two a year. So hopefully we can have even more space to to have these connections. So well, that's great. You heard it here, folks. You you're you get to be in the room where the magic happens and talk to people and meet people and even though the competitors, yeah. So it's it's been it's been good. So I'm I I appreciate all of the insight. Well, let's move beyond background screening, because all of us have lives beyond the background screening industry. Right. And sometimes it's hard to remember that. So we gotta you know keep keep that work life balance in balance. Well, let's talk about the life beyond screening, and we kind of will combine the questions here. Part A is what do you do when you're outside of background screening, your hobbies, your interests, you know, a little bit in your you know, non PBSA, non screening lives. And number two, you have to reveal a fun fact about yourself that people may not know or realize, and and of course. When they do hear it, they'll uh you know unmercifully bring it up to you at every PBSA meeting here afterwards. What do I do when I'm not working? Which uh that's that's a difficult question for me in itself. But two kids. So as I said earlier, uh Drew, my youngest, uh, plays competitive soccer. So I'm spend a lot of weekends on soccer fields, and my older son is a golfer, so on golf courses as well. In terms of a fun fact that you wouldn't know about it. Wait, wait, so so soccer and golf, right? Soccer and golf. Okay, fantastic. Okay, and and the fun fact, and and drum roll plays. What's what's what's Jamie's fun fact? I'm a Navy brat, so my dad um traveled around the the world with my dad, but but by the time I graduated high school, I had moved 18 times. 18? Like one eight? Oh my gosh. All right, why why bother to unpack? Well, maybe that's why I love traveling now. Like when when people are like, Do you want to go on the road? Do you want to go to a different conference? Sign me up. You're in. All right. That's fantastic. Oh well. Okay, that is definitely I've not heard that one before. But uh well, thank you for sharing. I appreciate it. Who wants to go next? I'll go next. I have two little girls, so I spend a lot of time in dance studios right now. I tried to get them into soccer and all that stuff, but I have a runner and then two dancers at the moment. We'll see what happens when they grow up a little bit. I also do a lot of work with refugees and immigrants for my church. Oh, very nice. Yeah, that's my life. I pretty much take care of my toddlers and work, and that'll be like that for a while. This was my old party trick at like frat parties. I have something called Ellers Danl's, and so I am insanely flexible and I was told never to do this again. My doctor is like, don't do this, but my thumb, I can bend it all the way down so it touches like one. Right. All right, if there's little kids at home watching, all right. The full split with my legs going like that. Oh wow. So so you so you have a second career as a contortionist, right? As you if if if you if you wanted to add. Okay. And Izzy and Robin, who wants to who wants to walk the bike next on this one? Um, I'll go. So you're hearing my dogs maybe in the background. I'm professional butler to them both, Chihuahua terrier moxes. They do not sit on the hard floor, only on soft surfaces. But besides that, I make music. I'm in a band called Couch Cold. I sew. I have my whole setup with all my fabric over there on my right. I'm in a hundred, hundred projects. Like I said, I will sit for two hours and learn about why the sun looked a certain color of yellow for the afternoon, you know? So I'm a fun factoid. And my fun fact is I know all the prepositions in the English language, and I can sit here and recite them for you in 40 seconds. You know all the what now say it again? I didn't quite hear that. All the prepositions in alphabetical order. Like aboard about above a crowd. I'm not gonna do that to you guys, but don't don't do it. I you know, I'm gonna take your word on that one, but can you do it frontward and backwards? So so remind me, remind me if we ever play trivial pursuit, if I if I ever go to uh PBSA meetings of trivial pursuit, remind me to put you on to make sure I'm on your team. You're like the fifth person to tell me, so we might have a full roster between us, Liz. All right, all right. And Izzy, what the what do you do outside of be between the the wholesale firm and the business process outsourcing firm and everything else you do? What do you do for fun outside of that? And then what's your secret fun fact? So, what I do for fun, I love traveling. I've been to over 30 countries. Lately, I haven't traveled as much because, like you mentioned, I'm running two businesses, but pretty soon here that's gonna change not the businesses part, but the traveling part. And I'm gonna have some more room to travel. So that's what I love doing. Um I play pickleball kind of obsessively. I play almost every single day in the mornings, and that's my good addiction is is playing pickleball. Fun fact about me I am an adventure chaser, so I've done some interesting stuff. I used to sail as a child, like sailboats, I rock climbed, I have a motorcycle license, I speak three languages. I could probably come up with some more fun facts, but that's not even me in a nutshell. Wow, okay. Well, this is a diverse and and eclectic and interesting group as I've ever seen. So this this is all fantastic. All right. Well, I appreciate you sharing that with me. So as we wrap up here, and this has just been so much fun, it's hard to believe as we're almost approaching the hour mark. But two things that I like to conclude with. One, and we'll just to do a round robin, just jump in. What is a top of mind piece of advice that you might give? I know we already talked about a lesson learned, but but going forward, if there's someone in the industry, maybe they they're starting off, maybe they're entry-level verifier, uh, who who knows what they are. What would be your advice to someone who's in the screening industry or thinking of getting in or wants to advance? And what what would you say to them? What what kind of uh advice would you give someone wh who might be entering? And and and because we talked about women in screen before, what advice might you give a woman who's in the industry who wants to advance? Yeah. So anyone, feel free to jump in. I would say you have to advance at this point. I would say don't enter this industry as an entry-level verifier or a researcher because you will be replaced by AI shortly. And I would say if you are in those positions now, now is the key time to try to pivot out of those. Learn a new task, reach out to somebody, ask how you can get involved in product, vendor support, anything. I would be looking at how to make sure your job is still there and make sure that where you fit in in the industry that it's gonna work out. I would advise someone to be careful what they're pivoting to. And if they want to stay in the industry, make sure they're moving into the you know revenue side or operations higher up instead of just like initial entry level verify. That's that's great advice. It's a variation. Um I've had a couple of people say you know, make sure that you're you become familiar with different aspects, but but the AI aspect is that's the first time someone's uh articulated that's very interesting. You don't want to be stuck in a position where you're pigeonholed and AI might move you out, but you want to make your you you know like you in always in life, you want to make yourself more valuable through learning, through becoming indispensable. So that's great advice. Thank you. Anyone else jump in? I'll just uh add to anybody in any industry, your personal stock is really the thing you carry with you from company to company, industry to industry, as you're learning, synthesize your learnings, put it out there, push yourself to say that thing, make that comment, ask that question in the conference. You're never too young, too green to ask a question, make a connection, and share your learnings because sometimes the best insights come from people newest to it all and saying, why do we do it this way? You know? So that would be my biggest, biggest advice to any professional. Never neglect your personal brand. You know, and a variation on that is sometimes you know, when I was still, you know, running a company, sometimes the best ideas came from some people who asked the question who who didn't realize that what we had been doing before, we were doing it just because we always did it. And they said, you know, that's a great question. Yeah, you're right. There's no there's no good reason to do it that way. So it's really interesting. I mean, you just you just can't communicate too much. Uh and Jamie, you want to take a stab at that one? Yeah, my big my biggest one last would be um just be a sponge. Um, in any industry, be a sponge. And then to piggyback a little bit off of Megan, I think things like AI, people are nervous about it, but I would say jump in and embrace it and find ways to use it as tools to help you and assist in your job. Yep. Exactly. And Izzy, what's your thoughts on that? What what advice would you give somebody coming into the industry or in the industry? Well, being the the last one of the round, Robin, I always just end up echoing what they say because they still all my answers, but um, but essentially uh three three main things, right? Stay adaptable. That's what the ladies mentioned. Keep learning, learn the technology, learn the compliance, learn how to do something in a different way. Learn, learn, learn. Don't just sit there and stay comfortable with the knowledge you have. You will become obsolete if you do that. Focus on building relationships. Again, we all talked about this over and over. This is a relationship industry. So spend some time and reach out and make sure that you're doing that work too, because that's really the work that moves you forward in the industry. And just surround yourself with people who support you and challenge you at the same time. You want people that can call you on your B when you need to, and also that can help you, you know, pick you up when you inevitably fall, because we all do. So find those people and stick to them. All fantastic. Well, we're about ready to sign off, and as is my habit and custom, I always give everyone the last word, and we're gonna start with this with the last word this time. So the last word is now yours. Thank you for inviting us, Les. Thank you for this podcast. This is a really cool opportunity to get to know people in the industry because you're interviewing every single person around, and it's almost like a library now. Oh, I'm gonna meet with this person, let me watch the podcast. So thank you for doing that. Last words. I would have to say stay connected. That's my last word. Stay connected to the people around you, make sure you're putting yourself out there and work for what you want. Perfect. Jamie, any last words? My last words are simple. It's what everybody's been saying. I would say, you know, lean on your partnerships, lean on your people, lean on your connections. And I'll make it quick, Les, and I'm just gonna be that person and give a shout out. If anybody needs social media background text, I'm your girl. Reach out to me, Jamie at Fairly. I'm happy to help. Perfect. I appreciate that. And Meg? Find what you love and pursue it. And if not, find a good product and pursue that. Because everybody needs really good employment verifications, like at Red Trends. Okay. And and Robin, we're gonna conclude with you. With anything left unsaid, now's the time to say it. Thank you so much, Les, for having us. If you are hearing my voice or any of our voices on this, we are always happy to connect with you on LinkedIn. If you want to pursue anything we've said further, reach out. We're all very approachable. We reach out to people all the time. I'm sure that's how, you know, we phone each other. Les phoned us, and we're all here on this podcast today talking to each other. So I'm Rob Schaefer on LinkedIn. We all have our info here and um hoping we could see y'all and connect with y'all further from here. Well, that's great, folks. You heard it. So Rob and Schaefer, uh, Megan Mortensen, Jimmy Francos, and Isabel or Izzy Stableton, they they all said the same thing. They're they're available to you. Reach out, reach out and touch someone, and uh they'll be happy to help. Thank you. This has been a fantastic hour we spent together. It has gone by so fast. I mean, we could have gone way longer, but I I really appreciate it. On behalf of Barry Nixon's of pre-employment directory, who very nicely is become is our platinum sponsor. I appreciate everyone listening in today. Stay tuned for future podcasts, and let me once again thank our esteemed, extremely talented, and I have to say, inspiring panel from the background collective who uh was kind enough to join us today. All right, that was yet another wonderful conversation with a background screening pro. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to hit subscribe so you never miss an update. And hey, if you got a moment, we'd love for you to leave us a review. It really helps get the word out. For more info or to catch up on past episodes or to make suggestions or suggest possible future guests, head over to our website. Once again, this is your host, Les Rosen. It has been a pleasure to bring you another episode. See you on the next episode. Thanks.