In 2022, we celebrated 20 years in business for Team Red Dog.
Here’s a look back, and ahead!


The start of a staffing company

Marleen Eitzen Shanks, Team Red Dog’s CEO, didn’t set out to start a staffing and recruiting company.  In the early 2000’s, while working on contract at Microsoft, she noticed her client teams needed additional contract assistance.  What started out as a desire to support other colleagues with their contract roles, has grown to a multimillion-dollar, woman-owned company that helps hundreds of job seekers find meaningful roles while serving our longstanding clients, who are some of Puget Sound’s most inspirational companies and organizations. Twenty years later… Team Red Dog has touched thousands of lives, empowered diverse hiring, and grown to include international partners and resources.


Just a little bit different

Team Red Dog has always embraced doing business the way we think it should be done. We scale to our client’s needs, have always been diversity minded, place the highest value on transparency and strong communication, and lead with a “people first” philosophy. Accredited by both WBENC and OMWBE, Team Red Dog has also always been 100% woman-owned.

There wouldn’t be a company to celebrate though, without our TEAM … and so many others.

The Future:

The Team Red Dog of the future will be a lot like it is today, focused on the needs of our clients, in an ever-changing world of work, continuing to support the employees who make it all happen.

Team Red Dog over the years

2002: Team Red Dog Business Incorporated With a fresh idea, a known need, and a lot of gumption, Marleen starts her business to support herself and soon others as contractors in the tech space.
2004: Marleen Rescues her first red dog In Monument Valley, Utah Marleen rescues her second red dog, NajZoni, who becomes one of the inspirations behind the business name.
2006: Revenue Expansion Revenue increases and client base expands to include clients such as Microsoft.
2010: The Team Grows The company grows to 20 people.
2011: Certified as Women’s Business Enterprise (OMWBE) Red Dog Interactive, Inc. Is awarded certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by Washington State OMWBE.
2012: Team Red Dog turns 10 
In 2012, the company celebrates 10 years in business.
2013: Marleen joins Women Presidents Organization The expansion of Red Dog Interactive, Inc. is steady and Marleen becomes a member of Women Presidents Organization (WPO) as a woman-owned business successfully surpassing $1M in revenue.
2016: A New Name Red Dog Interactive, Inc. rebrands and begins doing business as Team Red Dog.
2018: More Growth The company grows to 50 people.
2019: Certified as a WBENC Business In 2019, Team Red Dog was honored to be certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).
2019: International Partners With growing needs from our clients, Team Red Dog expands its recruiting team to include India.
2020: Remote Work Begins As COVID hit, Team Red Dog makes a seamless transition to remote work, while still hosting a local office.
2020: Service Offerings Expand Team Red Dog expands service offerings to include recruiting services for client’s direct hire needs in addition to contract placements.
2020: A New Red Dog  Marleen and her family add a new red dog to their family, Mr. Willie Mac.
2022: Team Red Dog celebrates 20 years Team Red Dog celebrates 20 years in business, providing top talent for today’s new world of work.

Read more:

A CEO's musing on 20 years + two poloraid photos