What I’ve learned from 40 recruitment founder interviews in a year

This week’s episode of The RAG is a little different - it’s just me

After 40 in-person interviews across the UK, Dubai and Sydney, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what I’ve learned in season 8 and what’s next for the show.

Here’s 3 key learnings that I cover in this solo episode:

• Why headcount is no longer the main measure of success
• Why remote teams, offshore talent and AI are shaping the future of recruitment
• Why profit is becoming more important than scale and exit

If you’re a founder who's rethinking what growth really means and you want to build something profitable, sustainable and enjoyable - then this will help

Watch our ten-minute video on “The most profitable way to grow your recruitment agency in 2025” here: https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0

Apply to be on the next RAG season here: https://hubs.ly/Q03yjlLd0 

Chapters

00:00 Season Reflection and Future Plans

02:48 Shifts in Recruitment Success Metrics

05:44 Personal Business Transformation and Insights

09:01 Profit Maximization Focus for Future Seasons

11:43 Engagement and Community Building

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

Would you walk away from recurring revenue to chase a bigger opportunity overseas?

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Jamie Trevett, founder of Just Construction. Jamie was last on the show in 2022 when his UK construction recruitment firm had 25 staff and a growing contract book.

Fast forward to today and Jamie has completely transformed the business. He shut down the contract side in the UK and relocated the company’s focus to the US market, where he now runs a similarly sized team doing 95% of their work stateside.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why he made the bold decision to leave the UK market behind
• The operational and cultural shifts required to succeed in the US
• How time zones and remote management work across continents
• The growing influence of AI on recruitment delivery
• What the future could look like for Just Construction, including a potential sale

If you're thinking about scaling into the US or questioning how to futureproof your business in a changing market, you’ll get real insight from this one.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jamie Trevett and Just Construction

02:59 Transitioning from the UK to the US Market

05:56 Challenges in the UK Construction Recruitment Market

08:49 Shutting Down the Contract Side of the Business

12:07 Building a Stronger Focus on Permanent Recruitment

14:57 Navigating Time Zones and Work Arrangements

17:53 Strategies for Expanding into the US Market

21:04 The Impact of AI on Recruitment

23:43 Future Plans and Potential Sale of the Business

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

What’s the point in building a business if you lose everything at home?

On this week’s episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Matt Tyson, founder of Knockout Consulting and former owner of two successful payroll companies.

Matt has achieved what many founders dream of—two life-changing exits in 15 years. But behind the success was a personal cost he never expected. In his pursuit of business growth, he lost sight of the very reason he started—his family.

In this deeply honest conversation, we discuss:

• How Matt built and exited two payroll businesses
• The pressure of selling a company during uncertain times
• What he’d do differently to protect his marriage and mental health
• Why emotional balance matters just as much as financial goals
• Strategies for building a business that doesn't cost you everything else

If you’re a founder chasing an exit or deep in growth mode, this is a powerful reminder to check in on what really matters.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Growth and Balance

02:52 Matt Tyson's Journey and Business Philosophy

06:03 Transition from Banking to Payroll

09:08 Building and Exiting Businesses

12:01 The Importance of Compliance and Contractor Welfare

14:54 Navigating Business Growth and Personal Life

17:47 The Emotional Impact of Business Success

20:54 The Role of Family and Support Systems

23:49 Establishing Walker Smith and Growth Strategies

27:01 Innovations in Contractor Support

29:41 The Journey of Building a Group of Businesses

32:56 Recognizing Personal Struggles and Changes

35:48 Reflections on Work-Life Balance

38:43 Conclusion and Lessons Learned

42:43 Navigating Business Exits During Uncertain Times

45:38 The Importance of Financial Control and Cost Management

49:27 Identity and Purpose After Selling a Business

50:39 The Emotional Impact of Business Transitions

56:52 Lessons Learned from Personal Relationships and Business

01:00:44 Finding Balance: Work, Life, and Personal Fulfillment

01:09:29 Key Strategies for Business Growth and Exit Planning

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

Why most recruitment businesses fail to attract top-tier leadership talent

On this week’s episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Dan Grim, founder of Inside Recruitment.

With 25 years in the industry and two previous equity partnerships under his belt, Dan now runs a solo rec-to-rec firm helping recruitment businesses hire the kind of leadership talent that drives real scale.

In this episode, Dan explains:

• Why most founders can't attract true A players
• The key traits and expectations that top 10% performers are looking for
• Why having a clear shareholder agreement matters more than you think
• How personal struggles shape better leadership decisions
• What a good general manager or MD actually enables in a recruitment firm

If you're thinking about stepping back from the day-to-day or need someone to drive your next phase of growth, this is essential listening.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rag Podcast and Dan Grimm

02:36 Dan Grimm's Journey in Recruitment

09:52 Transitioning from Recruitment to Business Leadership

18:35 The Importance of Values in Business

25:57 Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in Business

31:26 Navigating Business Partnerships and Agreements

38:10 Personal Challenges and Career Resilience

40:21 Navigating Expat Life and Family Dynamics

43:11 Career Transitions and the Role of Networking

47:13 Challenges of Leadership and Personal Struggles

51:25 Reflections on Career Choices and Business Dynamics

55:07 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Leadership

59:44 Building a Business: Insights and Strategies

01:05:47 Finding the Right Fit: Recruitment and Company Culture

01:10:17 The Value of Retaining Top Talent

01:15:23 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Business Growth

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

Most recruitment founders try to do it all and burn out in the process.

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Martin Smith, founder of Talent Group, who shares how he's structured his business to double down on what he's best at and handed over the rest.

Martin runs TalentDrive and Talent Finance, with a 12-person team across the UK. In this episode, we talk about:

• His journey from agency to founder
• The lessons he learned from early mistakes
• Bringing in an MD to run one brand while he focuses on growth
• Spending 90% of his time on BD, brand, and community
• Why self-awareness and strategic delegation can lead to long-term success

Martin’s also brutally honest about the personal side of business, living on the South Coast, navigating the loneliness of leadership, and staying motivated through tough times like COVID.

If you’re a founder who’s still figuring out where you add the most value or how to step back without slowing down, this one’s a must-listen.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Growth in Recruitment

02:15 Martin's Journey: From Recruiter to Founder

11:11 Transitioning from Agency to In-House Recruitment

18:35 The Decision to Start Talent Group

21:56 Navigating the Early Days of Entrepreneurship

24:21 Navigating Challenges During the Pandemic

27:32 Building Resilience and Community in Business

31:46 Leadership Lessons and Team Dynamics

35:30 Scaling the Business: Growth Strategies and Challenges

39:57 Adapting to Market Changes and New Ventures

46:51 Defining the Role of a CEO and Business Strategy

47:57 Navigating Life on the South Coast

50:07 Balancing Remote Work and Team Dynamics

52:05 Future Growth and Business Strategy

55:26 The Role of AI in Recruitment

01:01:16 The Human Element in Recruitment

01:04:30 Motivation and Personal Values in Business

01:10:11 Finding Balance in Work and Life

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Untapped

Untapped is THE market leader and go-to agency for finding and hiring tried-and-tested offshore talent into UK, US and Australian-based recruitment companies.

They’re providing top-class TEAMMATES, NOT OUTSOURCES! 

We use Untapped for Hoxo’s own offshore hires, and it’s been a total game-changer for our team. No one else can compete with the quality of their network, their in-depth candidate assessment process or their time to hire. 

If hiring elite-level overseas talent into your business to boost sales and increase productivity whilst saving yourself a huge amount in employment costs isn’t on your radar for 2024, it should be!

Untapped are hiring recruitment, sales, marketing and support staff into recruitment agencies of all shapes, sizes and specialisms globally and they are growing rapidly!

Join the waiting list today so you don’t miss out on the next cohort of business-launching hiring projects. https://bit.ly/47GGdvZ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0 to get started. See you there!

What happens when your 15-person agency runs out of cash and you have to start over from scratch?

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Philippa Smith, founder of Silver Swan Recruitment, a luxury staffing agency for ultra-high net worth individuals.

After growing her team to 15, COVID and poor cash flow caught up with her. In August 2024, she made the entire team redundant and scaled the business back to just herself.

Nine months later, Philippa is now generating more than £1 million in pro-rata EBITDA. She's happier, more focused, and running a business built around lifestyle and profit, not just headcount.

In this episode, we cover:

• How she pivoted her model to charge upfront and improve cash flow
• Why personal branding has transformed her client relationships
• The emotional cost of scaling too fast
• How she’s using podcasting and community to drive inbound growth
• The upside of running a smaller, more agile agency

If you’re questioning whether scale is really the goal, this episode will give you a new perspective.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Silver Swan Recruitment

02:04 Philippa's Journey into Recruitment

07:52 Transition to Silver Swan Recruitment

10:00 Growth and Challenges in Recruitment

18:22 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business

22:01 Navigating Revenue Challenges

24:05 Strategies for Business Development

24:17 Building the Team: Structure and Challenges

25:08 The Turning Point: Running Out of Money

27:19 Facing Reality: Making Tough Decisions

30:01 The Aftermath: Adjusting to Change

32:10 Rebuilding: A New Business Model

34:12 Commitment to Change: Charging Upfront

39:04 Success Redefined: Filling Roles Effectively

41:21 The Power of Personal Branding

46:47 The Power of Podcasting in Recruitment

49:00 Building Communities for House Managers

52:58 Creating Value Through Events and Networking

56:58 The Balance of Work and Personal Life

01:01:02 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

From recruiter to CEO and majority shareholder, Matt Murphy’s journey at Levy Global is nothing short of remarkable. Now, with Rory McGowan joining from Opus as COO, the business is entering what they call "Levy 2.0" - a new chapter focused on scale, structure, and serious wealth creation.

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Matt and Rory, who now lead a 50-person business headquartered in the UK with offices in Amsterdam and Belgium.

Matt shares how he joined Levy as a recruiter 22 years ago, led two management buyouts, and transitioned from top biller to CEO. Rory explains why he left a global leadership role managing 150+ people to join a high-margin, high-growth business with a clear trajectory and massive opportunity ahead.

In this episode, we discuss

• How Matt took ownership through phased MBOs to lead Levy into its next phase
• Rory’s decision to downsize the team size but upscale in ambition
• What it really takes to scale a recruitment business for exit
• How they’re building a leadership team and operational engine to match their vision
• Why clarity, culture, and autonomy are key to navigating the AI era

If you're thinking about scale, succession, and what comes after strong performance, this episode is full of lived experience and strategy.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Levy Global and Its Growth Journey

03:03 Matt Murphy's Transition from Recruiter to CEO

06:05 Rory McGowan's Move to Levy Global

08:54 The Management Buyout Experience

12:03 Challenges and Lessons from the First MBO

14:49 Building a Leadership Team and Managing Growth

18:00 Navigating COVID-19 and Its Impact on Business

21:12 Cultural Differences in Professional Environments

25:11 Transitioning Leadership and Team Dynamics

28:41 The Drive for Growth and Legacy

36:36 The Role of a COO in Scaling Business

41:27 Navigating Change and Building a Strong Team

49:09 Financial Strategies and Preparing for Growth

50:57 Navigating Unique Deal Structures

52:05 Personal Reflections on Career Transitions

54:51 Exploring Business Opportunities and Challenges

57:58 Initial Impressions and Early Contributions

01:00:23 Gathering Insights from Team Members

01:02:22 Combining Business Models for Growth

01:05:08 Strategic Changes in Client Management

01:10:59 Future Vision for Recruitment and Growth

01:17:25 Advice for Future Leaders

01:23:49 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Untapped

Untapped is THE market leader and go-to agency for finding and hiring tried-and-tested offshore talent into UK, US and Australian-based recruitment companies.

They’re providing top-class TEAMMATES, NOT OUTSOURCES! 

We use Untapped for Hoxo’s own offshore hires, and it’s been a total game-changer for our team. No one else can compete with the quality of their network, their in-depth candidate assessment process or their time to hire. 

If hiring elite-level overseas talent into your business to boost sales and increase productivity whilst saving yourself a huge amount in employment costs isn’t on your radar for 2024, it should be!

Untapped are hiring recruitment, sales, marketing and support staff into recruitment agencies of all shapes, sizes and specialisms globally and they are growing rapidly!

Join the waiting list today so you don’t miss out on the next cohort of business-launching hiring projects. https://bit.ly/47GGdvZ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0 to get started. See you there!

__________________________________________

What does it take to bill over $1 million a year for seven years straight, while leading the highest-performing team in your company?

On this week’s episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Jay Wynter, SAP Practice Lead at Precision Sourcing in Australia. From a tough start in recruitment to becoming a standout performer, Jay has built an elite billing record and helped shape a team known for its consistency and culture.

In this episode, we discuss

• How Jay has billed $1 million annually for seven consecutive years
• The leadership mindset that built the most consistent team in the business
• How personal branding and podcasting helped deepen relationships
• Why balancing delivery, culture and family is at the heart of his approach

If you’re serious about high performance in recruitment—either as a biller or a leader—this is the one to watch.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to The Rag Podcast and Guest Introduction

01:07 Jay Wynter's Journey to Australia and Recruitment

07:25 Transition from Football to Recruitment

14:29 Early Challenges in Recruitment

19:45 Adapting to COVID-19 and Leadership Response

23:02 Embracing LinkedIn and Personal Branding

27:29 Early Wins and Building a Personal Brand

28:52 The Power of Podcasting in Recruitment

31:37 Leadership and Team Dynamics

36:19 Value-Driven Recruitment Strategies

41:36 Work-Life Balance and Family Impact

47:55 Future of Recruitment and Business Growth

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!

What does growth really look like in 2025's recruitment market? For Dan Moussa, it means combining consulting skills, AI adoption and personal branding to move the industry forward.

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I'm joined by Dan Moussa, founder of Talesca, a specialist recruitment business in Australia. Dan’s story is one of consistent adaptation, leaning into the tools and strategies that add genuine value in a fast-changing space.

In this episode, we discuss

• How personal branding has shaped Talesca’s growth
• Why consistency and consulting skills are more vital than ever
• How AI is transforming recruitment models and client expectations
• What it takes to build a business that stays relevant and delivers value

If you’re a recruitment founder looking to evolve your business, sharpen your commercial edge or understand how to futureproof your brand and delivery, this episode is well worth your time.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Rag Podcast

01:50 Overview of Talesca and Its Growth

03:36 Reflections on Recruitment Career Beginnings

09:14 The Importance of Consistency in Recruitment

20:28 Current State of Recruitment and AI Impact

28:53 The Value of Time in Recruitment

31:12 Consulting Skills in Recruitment

34:29 The Future of Recruitment: Data and AI

39:16 Changing Recruitment Models

44:01 Defining Success in Recruitment

49:05 Building a High-Performing Team

55:35 Community Building and AI in Recruitment

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Untapped

Untapped is THE market leader and go-to agency for finding and hiring tried-and-tested offshore talent into UK, US and Australian-based recruitment companies.

They’re providing top-class TEAMMATES, NOT OUTSOURCES! 

We use Untapped for Hoxo’s own offshore hires, and it’s been a total game-changer for our team. No one else can compete with the quality of their network, their in-depth candidate assessment process or their time to hire. 

If hiring elite-level overseas talent into your business to boost sales and increase productivity whilst saving yourself a huge amount in employment costs isn’t on your radar for 2024, it should be!

Untapped are hiring recruitment, sales, marketing and support staff into recruitment agencies of all shapes, sizes and specialisms globally and they are growing rapidly!

Join the waiting list today so you don’t miss out on the next cohort of business-launching hiring projects. https://bit.ly/47GGdvZ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0 to get started. See you there!

What does it take to go from running a cleaning business to founding a global recruitment firm? Leon Mitton shares how he launched Agnes Cole Consulting during COVID and is now using AI to drive scale and efficiency in a way few are even attempting.

On this week's episode of The RAG Podcast, I’m joined by Leon Mitton, founder of Agnes Cole Consulting, a specialist SAP and S4 HANA recruitment firm based in the UK and operating globally.

Leon started with no background in business and built everything from the ground up. In this episode, he opens up about his journey, the role of personal fulfilment in entrepreneurship, and how he’s using AI to build a lean, high-performing business for the future.

In this episode, we discuss

• How Leon went from cleaning homes to closing global recruitment deals
• What it was like launching a company at the peak of COVID
• Why AI is the future of outbound and client engagement in recruitment
• His vision for creating a long-term legacy for his family

If you're thinking about what recruitment could look like in five years or want to hear a story rooted in grit, innovation, and purpose, this episode is not to be missed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leon Mitton and Agnes Cole Consulting

02:14 Leon’s Journey: From Cleaning Business to Recruitment

10:01 Navigating Recruitment During COVID-19

12:29 The Transition to Entrepreneurship

15:05 Establishing Agnes Cole Consulting

17:12 Growth and Challenges in Year Two

19:11 The Messy Middle: Managing a Growing Team

24:28 Reflections on Business and Personal Fulfillment

27:08 Creating a Legacy for Future Generations

30:46 The Role of AI in Recruitment

32:19 Intentional Parenting and Education Choices

34:36 The Evolution of School Systems

37:04 Communication Skills as a Superpower

39:10 The Impact of Technology on Recruitment

41:44 AI's Influence on Client Relationships

46:18 Adapting to Change in Recruitment

51:00 The Future of Recruitment and Business Structure

55:23 Finding Joy in the Recruitment Journey

01:01:20 Inspiring Others Through Personal Stories

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Atlas

Your memory isn’t perfect. So Atlas remembers everything for you. 

Atlas is an end-to-end recruitment platform built for the AI generation. It automates your admin so you can focus on the business tasks that matter. 

How many conversations do you have every day? With clients. Candidates. Your team. Service providers.

Now how many of those conversations can you recall with 100% accuracy? How many hours a week do you spend making notes to try and retain as much as possible? And how much is still getting lost along the way? 

Traditional CRM systems weren’t built for the type of recruitment business you’re running right now. 

They were built to rely on the structured, tagged, categorised, and formal data you could feed it. Manual processes that needed you to input specific information, based on specific questions and answers. 

But what about all the other conversations you’re having every single day? 

Atlas isn’t an ATS or a CRM. It’s an Intelligent Business Platform that helps you perform 10X better than you could on your own. 

How? 

By removing all your low value tasks, acting as your perfect memory, and providing highly relevant recommendations to impact your performance. 

Learn more about the power of Atlas – and take advantage of the exclusive offer for The RAG listeners – by visiting https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/ 

__________________________________________

Episode Sponsor: Hoxo

Recruitment agency founders - this one’s for you.

What’s your plan for the rest of 2025?

If it’s based on more cold outreach, referrals, or hiring more recruiters… we’ve got news for you. That’s not where the smart money is going.

The market has changed. AI is everywhere. Noise is louder than ever.

So if you want to scale profitably this year, you need to do things differently!

It starts with what you already have.

Your experience. Your network. Your voice.

And we are showing you exactly how to use it in a brand-new, FREE Masterclass - built specifically for recruitment leaders like you.

You’re going to learn:

• Why your LinkedIn content isn’t working - and how to fix it fast
• How to generate inbound leads without being “LinkedIn famous”
• And the exact Hoxo 3X System agencies are using to book more calls - in just a few hours a week

78% of our clients made over 100K in the first 6 months using this. No fluff. No guesswork. Just stuff that works.

The Masterclass is free - but it’s only available for a limited time.

So if you’re serious about growing this year, don’t wait.

Head to https://hubs.ly/Q03lBpYC0  to get started. See you there!