Canon Recruiting Group is led by Laurie Grayem, whose husband opened its office in Los Angeles in 1980. Since then, it has grown into a nationwide staffing and research firm with over 90 employees. Now based in Santa Clarita, the certified woman-owned company helps people in a variety of fields find work, including military members looking to transition into civilian jobs.
Which family members do you work alongside?
Our son, John Grayem, is the vice president of Canon and oversees all operations for the company. Tim Grayem (president of Canon) is active in the decision making, oversight and direction of the company. Each member of our family has worked at Canon at some time and gone on to pursue their own talents and career paths and took with them the things they learned while working in the family business.
What are some of the pros and cons of working at a family-owned business?
I have been incredibly blessed to be able to work with my family. To be able to share in the day to day, to watch my son John grow into an excellent businessman and leader. The only slight downside I can think of would be that business is a constant in our lives – and a topic of conversation at family gatherings. But that is what has kept Canon going for over 40 years.
Do you have any advice for someone considering going into business with their family?
It is wonderful to work with the people you love and trust every day. We keep a professional attitude in the office, but our entire staff becomes our family as well. It creates a wonderful work environment.
What difficulties or opportunities did the pandemic create for your company and family? Did it force your business to pivot or readjust in any way?
Canon specializes in all types of recruiting for direct hire and temporary staffing. Because we staff for banking and insurance, we were deemed ‘essential.’ Canon was able to keep our full staff of recruiters and support staff working during the pandemic servicing our clients and temporary employees.
Just months prior to the pandemic, John had the foresight to set our office up with the ability to become completely remote. We did not lose one day of work – but sent all our recruiters home to work. It worked flawlessly and has become an extra perk to our in-house employees to be able to have remote workdays.
How does your family and business approach work-life balance?
We work hard, and sometimes it is difficult for all of us to get away together, but we try very hard to make that happen. We have an excellent staff and key people like Damon King, who has been with Canon for over two decades and is counted as a member of the family. Canon is always in very capable hands.
What is next for you and the company?
John has brought a new level of technology to the company, giving our staff the ability to work more efficiently and be able to grow the company. We see great things ahead for Canon.