Influential Woman · Staffing & Recruitment | Beauty & Personal Care
Venus Starr Hurst
Founder, Color Me Pretty & Venus Staffing
Chicago, IL 60637
Her Story
About Venus
Venus Starr Hurst is an entrepreneur and business leader with more than two decades of experience in staffing, recruitment, and workforce solutions. She is the founder of VenusStaffing, an international staffing company that connects employers with skilled professionals across healthcare, construction, customer service, hospitality, manufacturing, administrative, and special events. Under her leadership, the company has built a reputation for delivering customized staffing solutions for temporary, long-term, and permanent positions while helping organizations of all sizes meet their workforce needs through quality recruitment and exceptional client service. In addition to her staffing business, Venus is the founder of Color Me Pretty where she develops private-label beauty and skincare products, contract manufacturing, and beauty solutions for brands. She is also launching Reverence Beauty, a brand expanding her footprint in the lifestyle and cosmetic retail market that provides skincare and makeup designed to encourage positive energy from within. Her entrepreneurial journey began at a young age and has been driven by innovation, resilience, and a passion for creating businesses that provide value to both clients and consumers. She leverages digital marketing, networking, and relationship-building to expand her businesses while continually exploring new opportunities for growth across multiple industries. Venus completed one year of business studies at Wayne State University before pursuing entrepreneurship full time. Guided by her faith and a belief that her work is a God-given calling, she attributes her success to perseverance, purpose, and the encouragement of family, friends, and supporters. Recognized as one of the Influential Women for 2026 representing Illinois, Venus remains committed to building meaningful business relationships, creating rewarding employment opportunities, and delivering outstanding experiences for both clients and employees.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Venus
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to recognizing that this work is my God-given calling. My faith has always been the foundation of my entrepreneurial journey and has given me the confidence to continue moving forward through every challenge. I am also grateful for the encouragement and belief of the people around me, including my family, especially my son and my mother, as well as friends and even complete strangers whose kind words have reinforced my vision. Their support and belief in my purpose have inspired me to continue building businesses that create opportunities and positively impact others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to put God first in everything I do. I believe in making God the CEO of my brand and allowing my faith to guide every business decision. Keeping that perspective has helped me remain focused on my purpose, stay grounded during challenges, and build my businesses with integrity and passion.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to invest in themselves first because personal growth is the foundation of professional success. Present yourself professionally, continue building your confidence, and take pride in how you represent yourself. Find a business or career that fulfills a genuine need and creates real value for others, but also choose something you are truly passionate about. When your work aligns with your passion and purpose, you will be better equipped to build a successful and fulfilling career.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe one of the greatest opportunities in today's business environment is leveraging social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X to build relationships, reach new clients, and secure new business opportunities. The possibilities for networking and growth are virtually endless when these platforms are used strategically. At the same time, one of the biggest challenges is continuously developing innovative marketing strategies while maintaining a consistent focus on generating new business and successfully closing opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are putting God first, serving others with excellence, and creating positive experiences for both clients and employees. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work is hearing people say they genuinely enjoy working with my company and that they found the experience valuable. Knowing that my businesses make a meaningful difference in the lives of others motivates me to continue growing while maintaining a culture built on trust, respect, and exceptional service.
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