Success Stories Episodes

Greg Benadiba has been a recruiter for 21 years, and he opened his new book with the most expensive phone call of his career: the one he didn't make. In this return episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, Greg sits down with Benjamin Mena to put the principles from Recruitment Principles: Timeless Truths in the Age of AI to work, starting with the three he would keep if a recruiter could only live by three. Before we get into it, Finish The Year Strong 2026 kicks off September 28 through Octobe...

What if everything you were taught about growing a desk was optional? Finish The Year Strong 2026 kicks off September 28th through October 5th, and the live sessions are free. This is your line in the sand for the rest of the year: https://recruiters-finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/ This episode is sponsored by Atlas, the CRM that actually understands context. Atlas captures every call, email, and message automatically, then tells you the next action to take. And whether you place permanen...

Sign up for Finish The Year Strong 2026, free for all live sessions, September 28 to October 5: https://recruiters-finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/ This episode is powered by Atlas, the CRM that captures every call, email, and LinkedIn message automatically and tells you the next action to take: https://recruitwithatlas.com/ Join the Recruiting Agents Workshop with Seb Sharp, August 25 and 26, and build your own autonomous lead agent and placement agent live: https://the-recruiting-agents-w...

Finish The Year Strong 2026 is coming September 28 through October 5, and it is packed with sessions exactly like this one. Register free now: https://recruiters-finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/ The Recruiting Agents Workshop with Seb Sharp runs August 25 and 26. Build an autonomous lead agent, a placement agent, and connect your entire tech stack, with recordings, templates, and a week of Slack access to Seb included: https://the-recruiting-agents-workshop.heysummit.com/ This episode is sp...

David Fishman built a $1.5 million recruiting desk with no college degree, an eight-year Coast Guard stint, and a chip on his shoulder that never went away. Thirty years in, his longest client has been with him for three decades, and he just ran a streak of ten placements from ten straight presentations, first candidate presented, first candidate hired. He breaks down the intake questions that shape every search, why he reads resumes like photographs, how he wins back lost clients by outliving the HR leaders who cut him, why he tracks deals instead of dollars, and the Monday-through-Wednesday rhythm that protects his momentum. At 58, something is still chasing him.

A hiring manager types "accounting recruiter near me" into ChatGPT. Somebody comes up. Steve Gipson's argument is that it is almost never the best recruiter. It is the most visible one. Steve is Director of Sales and Operations at Recruiters Websites, now in its fourteenth year and used by over a thousand recruiting firms. One of those clients is a two person firm that had closed $404,000 of inbound business as of the day this was recorded, pulling twenty to thirty leads a month from people who had never heard of them. Steve is direct about the caveat. They started this work seven or eight years ago. Inside the episode: what Google actually changed and why SEO did not die, how topical authority works on a recruiting site, whether Wix and Squarespace can rank, the listicle and directory play for getting cited by AI, and the one on page fix to make this week. Figures are self reported and not independently verified. Recruiters Websites: https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Finis…

The AI Recruiting Summit 2026 is happening now through July 20th, and registration is free for every live session. Recruiting engineers, operators, and recruiters actually running AI on their desks are showing what is working behind the scenes. Do not miss it. Register here: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2026.heysummit.com/ This episode is brought to you by Atlas. The resume never tells the full story, and most of what candidates share ends up buried in notes and forgotten. Atlas is the AI first ...

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this powerful two-part interview, Benjamin Mena sits down with Tom Kelly, a founder who took his recruitment firm from four founders all the way up to 80 team members—only to make the bold decision to cut back to 30, resulting in net revenue per head doubling while overall revenue remained steady. Tom Kelly shares hard-won lessons about scaling too fast, the pitfalls of chasing headcount over profitability, and why authentic relationships—not cold emailing—are the true intellectual property in recruitment today. You’ll get an inside look at the cultural, operational, and financial realities of going through explosive growth, the painful choices of downsizing, and how focusing on brand, marketing, and people-first values helped Tom Kelly build a resilient, purpose-driven business. Whether you’re running your own desk or leading an agency, this is an unmissable episode packed with actionable insights and stories you won’t hea…

Episode Introduction Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Dawson Henis, the founder of Hennis Group, a search and staffing firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. At just 24, Dawson Henis made the bold leap into entrepreneurship, launching his own firm after cutting his teeth in the high-pressure world of staffing at a major player. Now, three years later, he's expanded Hennis Group from a one-person search desk to a thriving business with a newly launched staffing division and a team to support that vision. Together, they dig into the gritty realities of starting and scaling a recruiting company as a young entrepreneur—from cold-calling and walking into factories unannounced, to building a "lead gen machine" fueled by automated outreach and business development smarts. Dawson Henis gets real about the lonely moments, the adrenaline of first wins, the mindset shifts required to grow, and why understanding your personal “why” is …

In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Steve Anderson, CEO of Optigy, to unpack an extraordinary journey from milkman to leading a $19 million healthcare staffing company. After being laid off with a mortgage, five daughters, and no plan B, Steve Anderson shares how he leveraged resilience, relationship-building, and relentless optimism to create a recruiting powerhouse in just three years. Together, they discuss the critical distinction between vendors and partners, the lessons learned from early setbacks, and the mindset required to not only survive but thrive in the recruiting industry. Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your agency, this episode offers tactical advice, real-world stories, and the kind of motivation that comes from someone who has truly set himself—and his business—on fire to find out what's possible.

Episode Introduction Welcome to another standout episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry legend scott love for a deep dive into why 99% of recruiters fail at business development—and what sets the top 1% apart. Drawing from decades of experience, hard-won lessons, and thousands of conversations with recruiters worldwide, scott love shares insights on the crucial mindsets, habits, and strategies that drive high performance in recruiting. From mastering self-discipline and niching deep, to building true authority and embracing the power of creative business development, scott love doesn’t hold back. You’ll learn why most recruiters default to the same old tactics, how to stand out by becoming truly distinct in your niche, and why building a thought leadership platform is essential for long-term success. Whether you’re struggling with call reluctance, facing distractions, or just looking for ways to scale your billing i…

What does it take to design a life and a recruiting business truly on your own terms? In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Tony O'Neill—an executive search founder who traded Midwest winters for surfing in Costa Rica, defined his own metrics of success, and built a thriving brand in the outdoor sporting goods niche. Tony O'Neill shares how he reverse-engineered his career and lifestyle, the pivotal moments and sacrifices along the way, and why discipline, specialization, and relentless focus on client value are the real keys to long-term freedom in recruitment. Whether you’re struggling to define your own success or want to take your search business to the next level, this episode is packed with personal stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts to help you build the life—and business—you actually want.

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Catiana I. Ibarra Aponte, CEO and brand manager of Peoplelift, to share an incredible journey of resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers. From being repeatedly told "no"—whether by family, professors, or employers—Catiana I. Ibarra Aponte transformed obstacles into fuel for growth, ultimately rising to lead a thriving HR staffing and AI consultancy. Listen as Catiana I. Ibarra Aponte recounts how overcoming cultural expectations, a devastating hurricane, and pandemic layoffs shaped her perspective on leadership, perseverance, and building a business that changes lives—not just fills jobs. This is a must-hear story for anyone seeking inspiration to turn rejection into triumph and to master their craft in the world of recruiting.

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Seb Sharpe, a former million-dollar biller turned entrepreneur, to dive deep into the realities behind top-performing recruiters and the evolving role of AI in the industry. Seb Sharpe shares his candid insights on why relying solely on AI may actually accelerate a recruiter's irrelevance, the crucial difference between speed and quality in recruitment, and what it really takes—behind the scenes—to build a multi-million dollar book of business. Together, they explore practical strategies, hard-earned lessons, and the mindset shifts necessary to compete and thrive as the future of recruiting rapidly changes. Whether you're a seasoned recruiter or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice and a peek into the relentless work ethic that sets elite performers apart.

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, Benjamin Mena sits down with Luke Marquardt, a former NFL player whose journey is the ultimate story of perseverance, grit, and reinvention. From enduring a series of devastating injuries and setbacks in his athletic career—including four broken feet—to building a $700K recruiting desk in the commercial construction space, Luke Marquardt's experience is a masterclass in chasing dreams, embracing new opportunities, and learning to thrive when life takes unexpected turns. Tune in as we dive into Luke Marquardt's transformation from the football field to the world of recruiting, explore the mindset and habits that propelled his explosive growth, and uncover actionable insights you can use to elevate your own desk—no matter what doors have closed or opened along the way.

Diane Prince walked into staffing with zero recruiting experience and one specific intention: build a business she could scale and sell. Six years later, she sold her staffing agency for $28 million. 🚀 Diane is speaking again at the This Is Your Year Recruiter Summit 2026 — which is exactly why this episode is back in rotation. Don't miss her live session. Register free: https://this-is-your-year-recruiter-summit.heysummit.com/ Most recruiting agency owners will never have an exit like Diane's....

Welcome to a powerhouse episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry legend Dave Veres, who’s helped scale teams and orchestrate explosive growth—from $300 million to a staggering $12 billion in staffing revenue. Together, they dive deep into the art of "diagnosis-based selling," a method that goes beyond transactional recruiting to offer true partnership and predictive value for clients. Dave Veres candidly shares career stories—from the front lines of massive automotive and government contracts, to personal moments where his team’s ability to deliver was literally a matter of life and death. This conversation explores the real difference between asking questions and truly diagnosing a client’s pain points, the importance of relationships over metrics, and how the right culture and leadership can rocket any recruiter’s growth. If you want actionable insights on scaling relationships, landing whale accounts, and building res…

Introduction Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Augusta Mirchandani, founder and CEO of a global recruiting organization spanning five countries. Together, they tackle a critical and persistent issue in the recruitment industry: why the best women recruiters keep leaving their firms—even when they consistently outperform their peers. Drawing on 13+ years of experience in the quant and discretionary finance space, Augusta Mirchandani shares her perspective on how outdated structures and "laddish" cultures hinder women's long-term success, why high-performing women often feel unsupported or sidelined, and what needs to change to build inclusive, high-impact recruitment environments. She offers actionable advice for male founders who want to truly empower women on their teams, insights into the habits of million-dollar billers, and discusses how her own leadership evolved after becoming a mother. Whether you’re a leader loo…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s show, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Jean-Louis-Philip Girardet, one of France’s top billers turned recruiting team leader. From luxury hospitality in Los Angeles and London to crushing €500,000 billing years—and now coaching new recruiters—Jean-Louis-Philip Girardet shares his unique path, insights, and strategies for building lasting relationships and delivering high-quality results. They dive into what sets top billers apart, the challenges and opportunities within the French recruiting market, and how lessons from a career in hospitality have shaped Jean-Louis-Philip Girardet's distinctive approach to recruitment. Plus, you'll hear actionable advice for recruiters at every stage—from those just entering the industry, to veterans aiming to reach elite status. Tune in for a conversation packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to succeed and lead in today’s recruiti…

On this powerful episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Stephanie Loewenstern for a raw and inspiring conversation that goes well beyond the highlight reels of LinkedIn. Stephanie Loewenstern shares her journey from humble beginnings in call center recruiting to launching her own successful tech recruitment business—while navigating some of life’s most brutal challenges. Just days after giving birth and enduring a painful breakup, Stephanie Loewenstern found herself a single mom forced to keep her business afloat under immense pressure. Through vulnerable storytelling, she reveals how recruiting became her lifeline during trauma, and how relationships, resilience, and relentless self-improvement took her from “just surviving” to thriving. You’ll hear practical insights about building a desk from scratch, the true power of authentic relationships, why saving for a rainy day is crucial, and the mindset shifts necessary to weather the storms of en…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with sales consultant Shad Tidler to break down what it really takes for recruiting and staffing firms to scale past the elusive $10 million—and beyond. If you've been looking for the secret sauce to intentional, repeatable growth, you’re in the right place. Shad Tidler reveals his four-part "S" growth framework—Strategy, Structure, Staff, and Skills—and explains how mastering each pillar is critical for firms wanting to level up. Together, they discuss why a strong, visionary leader is often the true difference-maker, the importance of getting the right people in the right seats, and how developing processes, mindset, and accountability can transform your firm's trajectory. Get ready for a deep dive into actionable strategies, practical examples, and the leadership mindset you need to break through growth plateaus. Whether you’re aiming for your first $10 million, pushing toward $25 million, o…

Most recruiters aren’t underperforming — they’re over-filtering. Chasing “perfect” candidates is quietly costing you deals, speed, and money. 🎧 Tricia Tamkin & Jason Thibeault on Why Perfect Candidates Cost Recruiters Money 1. Episode Hook Chasing “perfect” candidates feels responsible. It’s also the fastest way to kill deals, slow your desk, and lose fees. 2. Why This Episode Matters Most recruiters are unknowingly playing the wrong game. They wait. They hesitate. They protect “standar...

Welcome to another enriching episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Sarah Englade, founder of Monarch Talent Solutions, to unpack how she built a thriving $1.5M firm by prioritizing candidates above all else. In this candid and motivational conversation, Sarah Englade shares her journey from being laid off during the pandemic to launching her boutique agency in Houston, Texas—and reveals why focusing on relationships, building a niche personal brand, and supporting job seekers can drive exponential business growth. You’ll hear real-world advice on niching down, mastering metrics, and harnessing both tech and mindset to stay consistent and resilient through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter or just considering starting your own firm, this episode is packed with actionable insights and honest lessons from someone who’s walked the talk—and built a business on relationships that last. Tu…

Get ready for another game-changing episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This time, Benjamin Mena sits down with Jared Watts, a former MLS pro athlete who seamlessly transitioned his competitive mindset from the soccer field to the recruiting world—and absolutely crushed it. In this episode, you'll discover how Jared Watts leveraged the relentless discipline, data-driven focus, and high-performance mentality of a pro athlete to become a world-class recruiter and founder of Next Place Search Group. Benjamin Mena and Jared Watts break down everything from negotiating your own contracts (and your value!), to building trust, mastering KPIs, and forging lasting client relationships. You’ll hear how Jared Watts measures and tracks every detail in his business, what visualization really means for top performers, and how the work ethic that drives elite athletes is the secret sauce for unstoppable success in recruiting. Plus, you'll get real, actionable advice on networking, learning fr…