Ready to future-proof your recruiting career in 2025?

This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is a no-fluff masterclass on winning with AI recruiting systems. Benjamin Mena sits down with Martin Gutierrez, business development lead at SourceWhale, to reveal how top recruiters build bulletproof systems to scale placements, automate busywork, and keep the human touch that wins clients and candidates.

🚀 Sponsor Spotlight – Get Both AI Tools FREE

Try both of Sourcewhale’s game-changing AI tools—Inbox Agent & Notetaker—absolutely free.

• Inbox Agent: Writes replies in your tone, automates follow-ups, and gives real-time outreach feedback. Works with Gmail or Outlook.
• Notetaker: Joins calls, transcribes every word, and instantly creates AI-powered summaries—logged in your CRM.
• 🎯 Activate your free trial: https://sourcewhale.com/free-trial/

Feeling overwhelmed by endless AI tools? Struggling to keep your pipeline full? Want more time for real relationship building? This episode gives solo billers, boutique agencies, and top producers strategies to compete with industry giants—by setting up the right systems.

Martin has walked the recruiter’s path—leading teams, adopting tech, and finding what works. From avoiding “shitty AI” to leveraging sequencing, multi-channel outreach, and data-driven decision-making, this conversation is a recruiter’s roadmap to operational excellence.

By the end, you’ll know how to:

• Scale your desk with systems used by top producers—no more lost leads or missed follow-ups.
• Choose AI tools that drive placements, not busywork.
• Supercharge BD with AI-powered campaigns proven across 50M+ recruitment messages.
• Reclaim time for real conversations while tech handles admin.
• Track metrics to act with precision—like the top 1% billers.

Key Takeaways

• AI should empower recruiters, not replace them—get back to “1980s recruiter” relationship-building.
• Multi-channel, sequenced follow-up is essential—71% of meetings happen after the 3rd+ touch.
• Intent beats automation overload—know why you use AI.
• Lean teams can double meetings by plugging process leaks with automation.
• Data refresh is critical—outdated CRMs cost revenue.

Timestamped Highlights

• [07:15] – What is SourceWhale & why top teams won’t work without it
• [12:17] – Why most recruiters lose money “chasing tools”
• [17:55] – When BD meetings really get booked
• [21:00] – Solo recruiter doubles meetings with systems
• [28:38] – New AI features: Inbox Agent & Data Refresh
• [34:50] – What separates elite 1% recruiters in 2025

🔥 Build a recruiting desk that runs itself, books consistent meetings, and lets you focus on people—not admin. Press play now and take notes!

Sponsor & Links

🚀 Sponsor Spotlight – Get Both AI Tools FREE

Try Sourcewhale’s Inbox Agent & Notetaker—absolutely free.

• Inbox Agent: Writes replies in your tone, automates follow-ups, and gives real-time feedback.
• Notetaker: Joins calls, transcribes every word, and creates instant AI summaries—logged in your CRM.
• 🎯 Free trial: https://sourcewhale.com/free-trial/

 Events & Resources

• AI Recruiting Summit 2025 presented by Juicebox: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/
• Finish The Year Strong 2025: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/
• Free Trial of PeopleGPT & AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d
• Signup for podcast emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

Connect

• Martin Gutierrez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-gutierrez13/

• Benjamin Mena – Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
• Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
• Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Don’t miss out—listen, implement, and become the recruiter everyone wants to work with.

From Survival to Seven Figures: Pree Sarkar’s Blueprint for Building a Million-Dollar Recruitment Desk

🚀 Sponsor Spotlight – Get Both AI Tools FREE

For a limited time, you can try both of Sourcewhale’s game-changing AI tools—Inbox Agent and Notetaker—absolutely free.

• Inbox Agent: Writes replies in your tone of voice, automates personalized follow-ups, and gives you real-time outreach feedback. Works with Gmail or Outlook.
• Notetaker: Joins your calls, transcribes every word, and instantly creates AI-powered summaries—automatically logged in your CRM.
• 💥 Imagine a 24/7 assistant that handles your calls and your inbox so you can focus on closing deals.
• 🎯 Activate your free trial (both tools included): https://sourcewhale.com/free-trial

What does it take to join the top 1% of recruiters who build million-dollar desks? In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Pree Sarkar, who went from redundancy to running a scalable, $2M+ billing machine.

This is your step-by-step blueprint for breaking out of the average, mastering business development, and creating a recruiting business that runs at an elite level—whether you’re an agency recruiter, solo operator, or TA leader.

Inside You’ll Learn:

• How to shift your recruiter identity to “level 10” and become a trusted advisor.
• Why high-value BD generates 80–90% of top clients—and how to warm up prospects before you ever call.
• How to delegate, automate, and scale without losing profitability.
• The financial buffer strategy that gives you confidence in any market.
• How to use LinkedIn content & podcasting to stay top-of-mind with clients at scale.

Key Takeaways:

1. Relentless, relationship-driven BD beats cold pitches every time.
2. Delegate early and automate the 80% of tasks that don’t grow revenue.
3. Keep 3–12 months’ operating cash to reduce stress and increase leverage.
4. Your recruiter identity determines your market value.
5. Strategic content builds long-term trust and inbound opportunities.

Highlights:

• [00:02:56] From sales to recruiting after redundancy
• [00:10:33] The 80/20 BD focus that doubled billings
• [00:23:49] Niching down for dominance
• [00:25:19] Hiring your first team member
• [00:39:28] Leveraging podcasting as a BD engine

If you want to stop riding the feast-or-famine cycle and build consistent, scalable revenue, this is your must-listen episode.

Events & Resources:

• AI Recruiting Summit 2025: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/
• Finish The Year Strong 2025: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/
• Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PAiG-nfXO04

Connect:

• Pree Sarkar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/preesarkar/
• Benjamin Mena Website: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
• Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
• Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

🔥 Sponsor Reminder – Your Free AI Upgrade

Get full access to both Inbox Agent and Notetaker—the AI tools top recruiters are using to win more business in less time.

📬 Inbox Agent: AI outreach that sounds exactly like you.

📝 Notetaker: Every call transcribed & summarized—automatically.

🎯 Claim your free trial now: https://sourcewhale.com/free-trial

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and leave a review to help more recruiters join the elite.

Are you a recruiter struggling to stand out in an oversaturated market? Ready to discover the hidden secret that consistently produces top billers and high-value placements? In this episode, Benjamin Mena dives deep with luxury recruiting icon, Rob Bowerman, uncovering the enormous advantage of niching down, and exactly how you can use it to elevate your recruiting game in any market.

AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Rob Bowerman’s journey from a retail buying career to building the Bowerman Group, the go-to firm for luxury brand placements, shows just how transformative choosing the right niche can be. Listen as Rob reveals tactical strategies, candid career advice, and actionable mindset shifts that propelled him from industry outsider to a sought-after recruiting partner for brands like Chanel, Versace, and Louis Vuitton. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at how luxury customer experience principles fueled Bowerman’s client/candidate journeys and personal branding.

This is a can’t-miss masterclass for recruiters wanting to:

• Drive higher-value placements and win exclusive searches
• Build resilient recruiting businesses, even during market uncertainty
• Transform candidate and client journeys into luxury-level experiences
• Command premium fees and consistently dominate their desk
• Learn how to carve out a reputation as the “only choice” in a crowded industry

Press play now and unlock elite recruiting insights that you simply won’t hear anywhere else! Make smaller changes to your process—today—that will lead to outsized results in placements, revenue, and relationships.

Key Takeaways

1. Niching Down Is a Superpower: “You want to add an extraordinarily high level of value to your client, and I think you can only do that…by being a real legit expert.” (Rob Bowerman)
2. Luxury Brand Principles = Recruiting Success: Mirror luxury client experiences in your recruiting process—refined communication, branded candidate journeys, and a premium level of attention set you apart.
3. Refuse Weak Searches: Don’t waste energy convincing yourself a dubious search is “real.” Put your power into genuine opportunities where clients show commitment (contingency, exclusivity, engagement fees).
4. Brand and Relationships Trump Transactional Mindsets: Long-term success is built by treating candidates and clients with respect, offering real feedback, and prioritizing relationships over quick wins.
5. Leverage Community: Surround yourself with high performers. Joining professional communities like the Pinnacle Society can massively accelerate your learning and growth.

⏰ Timestamped Highlights:

• 2:56 – How Rob leveraged retail experience to break into luxury recruiting
• 10:41 – The “aha moment” that kicked off his niche and firm
• 19:32 – Building a luxury candidate/client journey
• 32:13 – Commanding premium search fees and branding yourself “high value”
• 50:04 – Hard lessons, failures, and the truth about candidate/client control

Ready to become an elite recruiter?

👉 Listen now, rate, and subscribe on your favorite platform!

👇 Connect with Rob, and unlock premium resources below to supercharge your recruiting journey.

Resource Links

AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3olG8F8371I

Follow Rob Bowerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbowerman/

Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Level up. Niche down. Build your luxury recruiting brand—starting today!

Ever wondered how to build, scale, and sell a recruiting agency for $28 million? Host Benjamin Mena welcomes back Diane Prince, who shares the inside story of her multi-million dollar staffing agency exit. Discover why niches lead to riches, what buyers seek in acquisitions, and how to scale your recruiting business—no matter your starting point.

Diane openly shares the playbook for successful agency exits, highlighting the power of specializing in a niche, building recurring revenue streams, and the realities post-acquisition. Avoid common pitfalls and leverage actionable insights to grow your recruiting desk or agency efficiently.

Key Insights from This Episode:

• Diane’s roadmap to a $28M exit within just 6 years, including bouncing back after a failed deal post-9/11.
• Why a clear niche strategy commands top multiples and how to identify and dominate yours.
• Essential buyer considerations during acquisitions: solid bookkeeping, client diversity, account integration, and a robust leadership team.
• The post-exit reality check: common mistakes recruiters make and strategies to avoid the 'shiny object syndrome.'
• Proven scaling tactics: leveraging VAs, maintaining a robust sales pipeline, and creating compelling, problem-solving content.

Episode Highlights:

[07:27] Selling for Maximum Value: Solid bookkeeping, diverse client revenue, and deep client integration are critical. Start by hiring a skilled bookkeeper.

[13:06] Navigating Life Post-Exit: Diane’s lessons on managing newfound wealth—taking strategic breaks, prudent investing, and pacing your next big move.

[22:08] Mastering Your Niche: Keep it simple—select a market where you have strong connections, deep knowledge, and solve real problems through targeted content.

[25:35] Surviving Market Downturns: Diversify your services within your niche to weather industry fluctuations and position yourself for rapid recovery.

[37:06] Consistency in Sales is King: Never neglect business development. Utilize VAs to expand capacity and consistently build your pipeline.

5 Essential Takeaways:

1. Own Your Niche: Specialists earn higher margins and valuations.
2. Maintain Pristine Books: Clean financials maximize your firm's value.
3. Prioritize Recurring Revenue: Stable cash flow protects your agency.
4. Real-Problem Content Wins: Solve actual client challenges to dominate your market.
5. Pivot Strategically: Explore adjacent opportunities if your niche slows down.

Ready to Scale?

Make 2025 your breakthrough recruiting year. Listen, subscribe, and connect with Benjamin & Diane to elevate your career.

🔗 Key Resources:

• Episode Sponsor: Pin – Your 24/7 Recruiting Assistant: https://www.pin.com/
• AI Recruiting Summit 2025: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/
• Finish The Year Strong 2025: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/
• Free PeopleGPT Trial: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d
• Free Talin AI Trial: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter
• Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast Emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe
• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/75bWuhGpMJ0

Follow Diane Prince:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeprincejohnston/

Host Benjamin Mena:

• Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you struggling with setbacks in your recruiting career and searching for the ultimate bounce-back strategy? In this can’t-miss episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, discover how Cathy Stewart—who once faced the brink of burnout and failure—rebuilt her confidence, pipeline, and reputation to soar as one of America’s top-billing executive recruiters. Tune in and learn how you, too, can turn professional droughts into record-breaking recruiting success.

Host Benjamin Menna sits down with Cathy Stewart, a celebrated member of the Pinnacle Society and an expert in executive recruiting for the senior living space. Cathy’s journey is raw, relatable, and incredibly motivating—she shares in detail how she lost her two biggest clients almost overnight and was left with no job orders on the calendar. Instead of giving in, Cathy doubled down, refined her process, and developed a bulletproof playbook for resilience and growth.

In this episode, you’ll uncover:

• The critical turning points that reshaped Cathy’s mindset and recruiting methodology
• Daily “non-negotiables” and habits that fueled her recovery and consistent performance
• How DISC personality profiling helped her instantly build rapport with tough clients and candidates
• Practical ways to navigate hiring slowdowns, fall-offs, and challenging markets with positivity and accountability

Envision transforming your toughest setbacks into launchpads for your best years in agency or executive recruiting. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned recruiter aiming for the next level, Cathy’s actionable playbook delivers everything you need:

• How rebuilding her desk “two candidates a day” ignited a full pipeline from scratch
• Mastering metrics, habits, and self-accountability that drive elite-level billings
• Leveraging gratitude and mindset shifts to stay motivated, consistent, and connected
• Building a reputation for placements that last, and client partnerships that endure

Ready to shift from survival mode to thriving in any recruiting market? 👉 Listen now to “From Rock Bottom to Top Biller: Cathy Stewart’s Playbook for Elite Recruiting Success.” Draw inspiration from Cathy’s true story and practical tactics—then put her strategies to work in your own recruiting desk.

Remember, top billers aren’t just made in good times—they’re forged in adversity. Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast for more recruiting best practices, or connect with Cathy Stewart on LinkedIn to continue learning from a true industry leader.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction to Cathy Stewart’s story

[05:00] Building resilience: Learning from setbacks

[09:30] The “two candidate a day” system

[15:00] Developing client relationships in a recruitment niche

[22:00] Mindset, accountability, and staying positive

[30:00] Habits of consistent top billers

[40:00] Favorite resources & closing advice

Listen and transform your recruiting results—no matter where you’re starting from!

This episode was sponsored by Pin - Pin, your 24/7Recruiting Assistant https://www.pin.com/

AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Free Trial of Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter

Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/NPYqWeab9AI

 Follow Cathy Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-stewart-338b871a/

With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you a recruiter wondering how to bounce back after a layoff and build a thriving solo business in today’s competitive market?

In this episode of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Liam Haghighat, a recruiter who transformed career adversity into entrepreneurial success by launching a profitable solo and fractional recruiting business. If you’re facing uncertainty due to layoffs or simply dreaming about starting your own recruiting consultancy, this episode speaks directly to your challenges and aspirations. With thousands of recruiters finding themselves in flux amidst volatile hiring trends and AI-driven disruption, knowing how to secure income, attract clients, and stand out is not just desirable—it’s essential.

Listen in to discover how you can:

• Craft an in-demand value proposition that sets you apart in the crowded recruiting landscape, using Liam’s battle-tested strategies for identifying your niche and target clients.
• Build a resilient business model from day one by leveraging fractional recruiting: why early-stage startups want your help, how to price your services, and how the flexible subscription/retainer model delivers stability in unpredictable times.
• Harness technology and content marketing for rapid client acquisition—explore the practical tools and sales processes that enabled Liam (an introvert!) to win business, boost credibility, and nurture a steady flow of inbound leads.

Whether you’re launching a new venture, thinking about going solo, or just looking for smarter ways to future-proof your recruiting career, this conversation is loaded with actionable tips, tech hacks, and confidence-building advice to help you lay a strong foundation—financially and professionally.

 Stop scrolling and hit play NOW to get the inspiration, clarity, and real-world know-how you need to start your own successful solo or fractional recruiting journey today!

 AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Free Trial of Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter

 Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/wFgyz620jLM

 Follow Liam Haghighat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamhaghighat/

With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you a recruiter worried that AI will replace your desk, or excited about what the future holds for staffing sales—and want to know how top producers are already leveraging technology to win?

This episode is brought to you by ASCEN, the modern, all-in-one Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll solution built specifically for staffing firms.

In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena dives deep with special guest Mike Mello, a powerhouse staffing producer who’s walked away from over $100M in revenue to build a next-gen agency with AI at its core. If you’re in recruiting or staffing, you know the pressure: more competition, more tech, and the looming fear that automation might outpace your skillset. But what if the right mindset and strategy could turn these challenges into your biggest opportunity yet?

This conversation is designed for today’s recruiters and sales leaders aiming to future-proof their desks and dominate their markets. Curious how you can cultivate a rock-solid sales foundation, embrace automation without losing your edge, and consistently outperform in an increasingly AI-driven world? This episode is your playbook.

Listeners will walk away with:

• Proven, actionable sales strategies from a $100M producer who’s scaled accounts from scratch—discover what really works for winning and retaining top billing clients in the modern staffing arena.
• Exclusive insights into which AI tools and automation workflows drive real ROI (and which are pure hype), so you can confidently invest your time and energy where it counts.
• Practical advice on integrating powerful new tech—like Clay and Make—without sacrificing the human touch, all while building a resilient, goal-driven mindset to navigate any market shift.

Ready to level up your recruiting game, cut through the AI buzz, and unlock elite sales results? Hit play now and discover how to crush your quotas and build a future-proof desk in the age of intelligent automation!

This episode is brought to you by ASCEN, the modern, all-in-one Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll solution built specifically for staffing firms. ASCEN streamlines your entire back-office—from payroll and compliance to onboarding and invoicing—so you can focus on placing top talent and scaling your recruiting business. Learn more at https://www.ascen.com/

 AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ga1HrBfzP7g

 Follow Mike Mello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mello-7884b059/

With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you ready to learn what it really takes to make a million-dollar comeback—even when life throws its toughest challenges at you?

In this powerful episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with renowned recruiter Rich Bradley, who opens up about his journey through 43 years in the business, his battle with cancer, and what it took to rebuild after a life-changing diagnosis. For recruiters, agency owners, and professionals facing setbacks or searching for the next big leap, this episode is for anyone who knows how quickly a thriving career can get shaken by adversity.

We all know the recruiting industry can be relentless—one moment you’re at the top, the next, a personal or health crisis can threaten everything you’ve built. What’s not often shared are the practical strategies and resilient mindsets that help top billers not just survive, but return stronger. Whether you’re struggling to get back on your feet or looking for ways to level up, Rich’s story is packed with actionable insights for turning setbacks into setups for success.

Listen in to discover:

• The exact strategies Rich used to keep his business running while dealing with major health challenges and how he ramped his desk back up post-recovery.
• Why relentless positivity, strict metrics, and having the right support network are game-changers for recruiters wanting to beat the odds and maintain elite performance.
• Real-world advice for balancing ambition, personal well-being, and long-term career satisfaction—so you can avoid burnout and keep loving the work you do.

Don’t miss out on this episode that will inspire you to push through barriers—press play to learn how to stay at the top of your recruiting game regardless of what life throws your way!

 AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/yDgdEWdkkc0

 Follow Rich Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richbradley/

 With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you ready to defy the downturn and grow your recruiting business while the rest of the industry struggles?

With the staffing and recruiting world facing its toughest challenges in years, many agencies are treading water or worse—shrinking. But what if you could unlock tactics and mindset shifts to not just survive, but thrive when everyone else is falling behind? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast dives deep into exactly that, bringing you proven strategies from Steven Farrell—an executive who has generated tens of millions in staffing revenue, even as the industry contracts.

This episode is brought to you by ASCEN - https://www.ascen.com/

 If you’re a recruiter or staffing leader, you know the pain: rising client demands, declining job orders, and the pressure to hit targets with fewer resources. The stakes have never been higher, but the opportunity for bold, out-of-the-box growth is real—if you know where to look. Steven shares how to align your sales, marketing, and operations for maximum impact, turn one-off clients into long-term partners, and build true work-life harmony amid relentless change.

By listening, you’ll discover:

• How to niche down and zero in on ideal customers—so you work smarter, not harder, even in a tough market.
• Creative, actionable recruiting tactics—from viral virtual job fairs to “shock and awe” sales kits—that break through the noise and deliver real results.
• The step-by-step blueprint to aligning sales, ops, and marketing as a seamless, frictionless team, powering consistent revenue growth no matter the industry climate.

Looking for a genuine edge to crush your goals in 2025? Hit play now to learn how the best in staffing are winning when everyone else is struggling—you don’t want to miss these game-changing insights!

This episode is brought to you by ASCEN, the modern, all-in-one Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll solution built specifically for staffing firms. ASCEN streamlines your entire back-office—from payroll and compliance to onboarding and invoicing—so you can focus on placing top talent and scaling your recruiting business. Learn more at https://www.ascen.com/

 AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d

Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe

 YouTube: https://youtu.be/mOE2tM7HIJQ

Follow Steven Farrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrellsteven/

 With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/

 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you still relying on cold calls and traditional sales to grow your recruiting business while others are closing million-dollar deals through inbound leads on LinkedIn?

With the rapid evolution of recruiting, it’s become clear that personal branding and thought leadership on LinkedIn drive real results—filling desks with inbound business, enhancing credibility, and helping recruiters stand out in a crowded market. In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena welcomes back industry expert Kelli Schutrop to break down the secrets of using LinkedIn to generate high-quality, inbound business—without feeling salesy or artificial.

AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/

Here’s what you’ll discover:

• Actionable ways to overcome the fear of posting on LinkedIn and build a consistent, authentic personal brand that attracts clients and candidates instead of just chasing them.
• The key strategies behind expert visibility: real examples from top recruiters who have moved millions of dollars in inbound business by sharing genuine insights, engaging with their community, and showing up for their audience.
• How to master the balance between using AI for efficiency and remaining authentically human—so your content connects, rather than repels.

Whether you’re an agency owner, a solo recruiter, or looking to modernize your team’s approach, this episode unpacks what works right now on

LinkedIn, why thought leadership trumps spammy automation, and how you can build a network that delivers opportunities instead of dead ends.

Ready to change how you’re discovered by top clients and candidates?

Tune in now for proven LinkedIn playbook secrets you can use today to grow your recruiting business!

AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/

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