Janice Bryant Howroyd is founder and CEO of $1.1 billion (net sales) Act-1, which provides temporary staffing, HR services and consulting. The agency has 17,000 clients and 2,600 employees in 19 countries. With her family, she own 36 properties including 30 commercial rental properties and 6 residences.
Interestingly, Howroyd has played an integral part in civil rights; she was one of the first Black students in her hometown to integrate into a previously segregated high school.
Her journey began when she courageously moved from Tarboro, North Carolina to Los Angeles, California. Her first job was as a secretary, working for her brother-in-law at Billboard Magazine.
Her newfound position afforded her the ability to rub elbows with business executives, celebrities, and other individuals of high social status. Armed with a nominal budget – just $900, Howroyd began Act 1 Group. Act 1 is a company which provides employment, business, and consulting services. Act 1 operates in 19 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Japan, and the United States.
Under Act 1, there is also AppleOne dedicated to providing passionate personnel, and secure data management to name a few attributes; All’s Well which caters to healthcare personnel; AT-Tech, a technical and personnel providing service; Agile 1, a business pro-outsourcing service; Act 1 Govt, provides a plethora of services to government agencies; ACheck Global, a screening and background verification company; and DSSI, a content and document management organization.
Howroyd believes that “one cannot effectively lead without passionately serving” so she does just that by providing scholarships and various assistance to Harvard University, North Carolina A&T, WBENC – a women’s support organization, the Urban League, and mentorship to individuals and companies.
When asked how she would advise others, Howroyd iterated empowering words to live by: “Explore all of your opportunities before you dedicate yourself to one because you may surprise yourself,” In order to be outstanding, sometimes, you’re just going to have to stand out,” and “Never compromise who you are personally to become what you wish to be professionally.”
In 2017 for the second year in a row, Howroyd was named by Forbes as one of the wealthiest self-made women with an empire worth $420 million.
Watch her speaks below:
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