In this raw, honest and wide-ranging episode of Get Rich or Die Hiring, Will Grashoff sits down with Zoe Chatley, founder of The Channel Recruiter, to unpack what it really takes to build a specialist recruitment business, survive burnout, and win in a highly male-dominated market.
Zoe shares her full journey through recruitment – from falling into the industry, mastering a deep niche in the IT Channel, becoming a top biller, and ultimately taking the leap to launch her own business while on maternity leave. This conversation goes far beyond surface-level success and dives into the realities of leadership, resilience, values, and doing recruitment properly.
Topics covered include:
- What “The Channel” actually is in tech and why specialism matters
- Building a personal brand that attracts clients and candidates
- The transition from top biller to business owner
- Winning and delivering large RPOs as a small specialist firm
- Old-school recruitment skills vs modern automation
- Why picking up the phone still wins business
- 360 recruitment, delivery models, and structuring high-performing teams
- Navigating misogyny and bias in recruitment and tech
- Supporting working parents and flexible working
- Leadership mistakes, hiring lessons, and tough people decisions
- Burnout, health, boundaries, and the value of having a coach
- Why values, ethics, and reputation still matter in recruitment
Zoe is refreshingly candid about her “battle scars”, sharing lessons learned from hiring the wrong people, overworking herself, and trying to do too much. She also explains how coaching helped her regain control, refocus on her strengths, and build a business that works for her life – not the other way around.
This is a must-listen episode for recruiters who want longevity, not just short-term wins.
Who this episode is for:
- Recruiters thinking about launching their own agency
- Founders struggling with burnout or leadership challenges
- Recruiters working in niche or specialist markets
- Anyone trying to balance billing, management, and life outside work
- Recruiters who believe ethics and relationships still matter
- Those frustrated with “spray and pray” modern recruitment tactics
🔗 Connect with the guest
Zoe Chatley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoechatley/
🔗 Connect with the host
Will Grashoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willgrashoff/
Check out Will’s Talent: https://www.willstalent.com/
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