Corporate environments can be a burden, especially when you’ve established a long career in your field. For John Gemrich, who had a long career in financial services, including large commercial and retail banks, the pressure was definitely on. Starting his own business was a chance to have more control over outcomes and relieve some of the pressure that comes with corporate work. By Kelsi Trinidad
Regaining Control: Leaving Corporate Stress for Business Ownership
Corporate environments can be a burden, especially when you’ve established a long career in your field. For John Gemrich, who had a long career in financial services, including large commercial and retail banks, the pressure was definitely on. Starting his own business was a chance to have more control over outcomes and relieve some of the pressure that comes with corporate work.
In 2020, when Gemrich was between jobs, he initially intended to search for a new corporate job, but the realities of the pandemic solidified his decision to start his own business instead.
“The opportunity to build my own thing was going to slip away if I didn’t take advantage of it,” Gemrich said.
Eventually, he discovered PrideStaff and liked the simplicity of the model and the opportunity to make an impact in his community in Cincinnati through a staffing business.
“I wanted to be part of the growth of this region, and staffing was something that let me plug into that,” Gemrich said. “So, I guess I wouldn’t say I loved staffing as much as I loved what it would do and how much impact I could have for other businesses around me.”
Gemrich opened his first location in northwest Cincinnati in February 2021 and recently expanded by opening a second location in East Cincinnati in July 2025. Getting his business off the ground was met with strong support from the corporate team at PrideStaff.
“I felt like my franchisor and PrideStaff was in my corner, and they wanted me to be successful, not only in executing the franchise system but being able to understand the business model,” Gemrich said.
Today, Gemrich has regained control over his outcomes in his work. Although the amount of work hasn’t lessened, the pressure of meeting ambiguous goals has dissipated.
“I want to go watch my son’s tennis matches. I want to be able to travel more. I want to be able to do these things,” he said. “I have the freedom to say how involved I want to be on a day-to-day basis in a way that does not exist corporately.”
Kelsi Trinidad