Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Saulsby.
Hi Shirley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Shirley Saulsby is a proud Jacksonville, Florida native and the founder of Visionary Workforce Staffing. A graduate of William M. Raines High School, Shirley has always been deeply rooted in her community and passionate about creating opportunities for others. She is the devoted mother of three adult children and the proud grandmother of three wonderful grandchildren, which has further shaped her commitment to service and leadership.
Shirley earned her bachelor’s degree from Edward Waters University in 2020 and went on to complete her master’s degree at Colorado Technical University in 2025. With over 25 years of dedicated service at AT&T, she built a strong professional foundation in corporate leadership, accountability, and operational excellence before retiring in 2025 to fully pursue her entrepreneurial vision.
In 2024, Shirley established Visionary Workforce Staffing after recognizing a growing need for newly licensed nurses and healthcare professionals to secure meaningful employment. Driven by her passion for helping people and solving real-world challenges, she saw healthcare staffing as a way to bridge workforce gaps while addressing the ongoing nursing shortage in the Jacksonville area.
Today, Shirley works closely with local organizations such as CareerSource and Fortis College, supporting job placement and strengthening the pipeline between healthcare training and employment. Under her leadership, Visionary Workforce Staffing offers both permanent placement and temporary staffing solutions, with flexible service options that allow clients to choose full onboarding and payroll support or placement-only assistance.
Shirley is honored to contribute to the growth of the healthcare industry and remains committed to building a staffing agency defined by integrity, service, and a true dedication to meeting the needs of both healthcare professionals and the facilities that rely on them.
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?
It has not been a completely smooth road, but the journey has been both challenging and rewarding. One of the biggest struggles along the way has been securing long-term contracts with major healthcare providers. Larger healthcare systems often rely on only one or two established staffing agencies that they have worked with for years, making it difficult for a newer agency to break into those networks. As a fairly new staffing company, gaining trust and visibility takes time, persistence, and consistent relationship-building.
Networking has been essential in overcoming these barriers. Building connections with decision-makers, attending community and healthcare events, and demonstrating reliability has been a key part of the growth process. While the road has required patience and determination, each challenge has strengthened my commitment to ensuring Visionary Workforce Staffing becomes a trusted partner in solving staffing shortages and supporting healthcare facilities throughout Jacksonville and beyond.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As the owner of Visionary Workforce Staffing LLC, I specialize in providing high-quality healthcare staffing solutions that support both medical professionals and the facilities that depend on them. Visionary Workforce Staffing focuses on connecting compassionate, dependable nurses including CNAs, LPNs, and RNs with opportunities in hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and other healthcare environments. We offer both temporary staffing and permanent placement services, with flexible options that allow clients to choose whether we manage onboarding, payroll, and compliance or simply provide placement support.
What I am most proud of along this entrepreneurial journey is the strong relationships and meaningful connections I have built with healthcare partners, training institutions, and talented professionals. Those connections have been the foundation of my growth and success. I truly believe staffing is more than filling positions it’s about helping people find purpose, supporting careers, and ensuring patients receive quality care.
I am known as a true people person I never meet a stranger. I enjoy meeting new individuals, listening to their stories, and helping solve challenges with a positive spirit. What sets Visionary Workforce Staffing apart is our heart-centered approach: we don’t just staff nurses, we place compassionate caregivers who are committed to making a difference.
Life is too short not to be happy, and I bring that mindset into everything I do, creating a staffing experience built on trust, integrity, and genuine care for others.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I have been incredibly blessed to have many mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, and advocates throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Although Visionary Workforce Staffing is my vision, its growth has been deeply supported by the people who have poured into me along the way.
One of the most meaningful sources of mentorship has been my experience as a member of Cohort 23 of JAX Bridges. Even though I hold an MBA, the value added through Bridges has been truly immeasurable. The knowledge, resources, and guidance I have received through the program have strengthened me as a business owner in ways I could not have anticipated. As a solopreneur, the entire JAX Bridges staff has served as an ongoing source of encouragement, mentorship, and support, helping me navigate the realities of entrepreneurship with greater confidence and clarity.
My biggest and most consistent supporters, however, have been my three adult children. Their daily motivation and belief in me keeps me going, especially during challenging moments. They remind me why I started and encourage me to continue building something meaningful and impactful.
I am also thankful for my close network of friends who are entrepreneurs themselves. They cheer me on constantly, and I often lean on them for reassurance, advice, and support. Having people who understand the ups and downs of building a business has been invaluable.
Lastly, I cannot say enough about the support I’ve received through my partnership with CareerSource, and especially Ms. Wanda Grant. She has been instrumental in ensuring I feel supported in my recruitment and workforce development efforts. Her dedication and willingness to assist has played a significant role in helping Visionary Workforce Staffing connect with talent and grow our presence in the community.
I truly believe no success happens alone, and I am grateful for every person who has encouraged, guided, and walked alongside me on this journey.
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