Professionals find win-win hours at 10 til 2 placement service

When Stephanie Gathe and husband Jeffrey were both working, it wasn't uncommon for the Naperville couple to meet at the airport, exchange a kiss and hand off the kids from one parent to the other.

The Gathes worked hard to balance day care, family life and their high-stress jobs.

"After my second daughter was born, things got really crazy," Stephanie said.

Something had to give. About nine years ago, when the girls were 2 and 4, Stephanie gave up her career to raise the girls.

"It got to be too demanding," said Stephanie, who worked as a director for Diners Club and holds an MBA.

Now that the girls are more independent, Stephanie wants to re-create her identity and get back into the work force.

But the girls' competitive swim team, violin and cello lessons, school meetings and orthodontist appointments would make working full-time nearly impossible.

Stephanie, like many stay-at-home moms across the country, is wondering if working part-time could be an option.

A growing company, 10 til 2, just launched its first Illinois franchise to address this need. The Colorado-based company is a part-time placement service specializing in placing college-educated professionals in long-term, part-time positions.

There are now 17 franchises in nine states, with another 20 expected to open this year.

Terrie Nolen of Wheaton recently launched the local franchise. She worked for Ernst & Young before her children were born.

While considering going back to work, she found a magazine article featuring 10 til 2. "I think it's the best idea in the world," Nolen said.

For the past month she has been forming a database of qualified candidates from the area looking for part-time jobs. While the majority of applicants are stay-at-home moms, she also works with men, graduate students and retirees in search of part-time hours. "The candidates are extremely qualified," Nolen said.

Nolen, 44, is now looking for businesses that are seeking qualified part-time employees. The businesses, which pay 10 til 2 a fee, don't have to worry about benefits. 10 til 2 handles all the billing, insurance and payroll.

About 78 percent of employers offer part-time employment, according to Hewitt Associates, a Lincolnshire based human-resources consulting company.

Flexibility is the key issue for many women, according to Liz Norwood, founding partner of 10 til 2.

"Women want to put the kids on the bus in the morning and be there when they get home," Norwood said.

She founded the company with four other moms with children of varying ages. "We all realized there's a huge group of women who do not want to work full time," Norwood said.

The company has about 12,000 women in its database, including engineers and attorneys. The women had no intention of franchising the concept, but the interest was overwhelming.

10 til 2 experienced 102 percent growth over 2006 revenues.

"Employers love us. They're open-minded," Norwood said.

For more, check out www.tentiltwo.com.