Success Stories Episodes

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, hosted by Benjamin Mena. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of recruitment with industry veteran Steve Swan, founder of The Swan Group. Steve has achieved an impressive 100% close rate over the past three years, even in the challenging realm of security clearances. With over 25 years in the industry, Steve shares the secrets behind his long-term success, including strategies for aligning candidate and company expectations, the value of genuine relationships, and the nuanced balance between emotion and logic in decision-making. Join us as Steve reveals the lessons he's learned from growing a company from 15 to 15,000 employees, the importance of effective communication, and how his unique approach to networking has transformed his career. Whether you're a newcomer or a seasoned recruiter, this episode is packed with insights that can help you navigate and thrive in this ever-evolving field. Get ready for a masterclass in recruitment exc…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, "From Navy Veteran to Recruitment Owner: Micah Clay's Journey to Success," we delve into the inspiring story of Micah Clay, a distinguished Navy veteran who transitioned into the recruitment industry, ultimately founding his own successful recruitment firm. Hosted by Benjamin Mena, our conversation covers an array of topics crucial for budding recruiters and business owners alike. We'll explore Micah's innovative approach to networking and career planning, his reliance on influential books like "Breakthrough 2.0" and "$100 Million Offers," and the core values that have driven his success—transparency, ethics, and respect for clients. Micah candidly shares the challenges and triumphs of the recruiting world, the immense impact of mentorship, and his strategies for content creation and audience engagement. In this episode, you'll discover how Micah leverages his military resilience, embraces niche markets, and builds long…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's captivating episode, "From Sports to Recruiting: Jay Veniard's Secrets to Achieving Long-Term Success," our host Benjamin Mena sits down with the extraordinary Jay Veniard. As a former professional athlete turned veteran recruiter, Jay brings a wealth of knowledge about building a successful career in recruiting, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness, critical tasks, and effective client engagement. Jay delves into the mindset required for excellence—highlighting concepts like "bitch voice" versus "boss voice," the significance of visualization, and the power of a strong, proactive self-talk to combat burnout and negativity. He draws intriguing parallels between sports and recruiting, advocating for a focus on foundational activities such as phone calls and meaningful in-person interactions. Listeners will gain insights on enhancing performance through daily targets, role-playing exercises, and the innovative 'game tape…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Tyler Rossi, the resilient and determined founder of American Dream Search. Tyler's journey from receiving a layoff notice while his wife was 32 weeks pregnant to earning over $200K in just six months is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Tyler shares his blueprint for recruitment success, from his strategic use of LinkedIn automation and relationship-building with industry leaders to the importance of niching down in the steel industry. You'll hear about his unique challenges, including balancing fatherhood, startup pressures, and overcoming personal adversities, all while building a profitable business. Whether you're an experienced recruiter or just starting, Tyler's insights on perseverance, specialization, and leveraging technology are invaluable. Tune in to discover how you can replicate his success and thrive in the recruiting world!

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I’m your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we’re joined by Gail Audibert, President of the Pinnacle Society and a luminary in the recruiting world. Join us as Gail shares her extraordinary journey from dramatically increasing her work output to attend a pivotal conference, to being inspired by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, and ultimately setting ambitious career goals in the 1980s. Gail discusses starting her own firm at just 25, the role of integrity and personal relationships in her success, and the innovative use of video messaging in recruitment. She also opens up about her dedication to professional associations, her involvement in community building, and her passion for integrating new technologies like AI into her practice. Gail’s personal and professional insights offer a unique perspective on achieving elite status in recruitment. Stick around; you won't want to miss her story of motivation, innovation, and…

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Tom Kosnik, a seasoned advisor to recruiting firms, to delve into the transformative steps that can skyrocket a recruiting business from $1 million to $25 million. In this discussion, Tom shares his invaluable expertise on many topics, including the critical role of personal branding in today’s market, strategies for effective leadership, and the necessity of continuous innovation. We’ll explore the benefits of empowering employees to build their personal brands and ways to adapt to economic changes, including nearshoring trends and the evolving dynamics of consumer spending. Tom also sheds light on optimizing operational efficiency through advanced technologies like AI and automation, tackling challenges in the staffing industry, and the importance of networking and support systems. From maintaining high Google ratings and social media presence to navigating the complexities…

Welcome to another awesome episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we have a truly inspiring guest, Greg Benadiba, who joins us to share his remarkable journey from agency recruiter to executive leadership at Bilingual Source. In this episode, Greg delves into the strategies, habits, and philosophies that have paved his path to success. You'll hear about the importance of live engagement, leveraging AI for targeted research, and offering proactive solutions to establish authority in the recruitment space. Greg also highlights the crucial role of customer-centric approaches, mindfulness of ego, and iterative improvement in processes. Plus, discover how Greg's robust daily routines and continuous learning practices have been instrumental in his professional development. We’ll also explore Greg’s thoughts on technology, employee retention, and the significance of in-office interactions. He emphasizes hiring quality over quantity, learning fro…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, titled "Building an Authentic Personal Brand in Recruiting," our host Benjamin Mena sits down with the engaging Joel Lalgee. Joel, known widely as "The Realist Recruiter," shares his invaluable insights into the world of recruitment and content creation. From emphasizing the importance of patience and finding mentors to the critical role of effective business planning, Joel offers a wealth of advice for budding recruiters and content creators alike. We'll delve into Joel's journey from ambiguous content creator to a well-recognized name in recruiting, explore his strategies for monetizing content, and discuss the power of consistency in brand-building. Benjamin and Joel also reflect on balancing work-life commitments and offer actionable tips for creating impactful recruitment content. Tune in as we uncover Joel’s practical advice on maintaining authenticity, leveraging news for thought leadership, and building a s…

Welcome to another insightful episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s episode, join your host, Benjamin Mena, as he sits down with Stuart Mitchell—a British transplant who moved to the US ten years ago and founded Hampton North, a leading cybersecurity-focused recruitment firm. From the materialistic pursuits in his early career to his current emphasis on enjoying work and valuing relationships, Stuart’s journey is a compelling narrative of transformation and growth. He opens up about his early struggles, including multiple firings, which eventually led him to stumble into the recruitment industry, inspired by a recruiter’s successful lifestyle. Stuart and Benjamin dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of the recruitment world, discussing why it's crucial to stay emotionally level amidst the industry's highs and lows. Stuart shares poignant advice for new and veteran recruiters alike, emphasizing the importance of foundational training, trust, and building a firs…

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, hosted by Benjamin Mena. Today, we're diving deep into the world of peak performance with special guest Gary Stauble, founder of The Recruiting Lab and an expert in performance strategies for the recruiting industry. Gary's fascinating journey from being in a rock band to becoming a seven-figure billing superstar is packed with invaluable insights. In this episode, we'll explore how designing a business around your personal values can lead to phenomenal success. Gary emphasizes minimizing interruptions to achieve a flow state and how batching tasks can dramatically boost productivity. We'll also discuss the importance of creating systems and SOPs to ensure flexibility and freedom in your recruiting career. Learn about the three approaches to success in recruiting: the lone ranger model, the traditional firm owner model, and the hybrid Rainmaker model. Stay tuned as Gary shares actionable tips on effective time management, d…

Welcome to the Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jeremy Jenson, the dynamic CEO of Encore Search Partners. We'll dive deep into Jeremy's remarkable journey from running a lead generation business to leading a $12.5 million recruiting firm. Jeremy shares his insights on the power of scaling by focusing on hyper-niche markets and creating million-dollar books of business. Throughout our conversation, Jeremy talks about his innovative strategy of hiring individuals without recruiting backgrounds, the transformative impact of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) on his growth, and his unique targeted approach inspired by high-stakes TV dramas like Suits and Billions. Join us as we uncover Jeremy's forward-thinking tactics on demand generation, digital marketing, and the essential role of values and relationships in driving business success. Whether you're an experienced recruiter or just starting, Jeremy's insights on scalability, ment…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where your host Benjamin Mena dives deep into the secrets of building a successful recruiting business. In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dave Fox, CEO of Focus GTS, who shares his incredible journey from struggling finance graduate to the helm of a $10 million recruiting empire. Dave opens up about the power of vision boards and keeping your goals in focus, the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and the necessity of investing in oneself fearlessly. He stresses the importance of sales skills in recruiting, harnessing the power of AI, and maintaining a consistent effort over time. We'll also touch on personal branding on LinkedIn, automating sales tasks, and the critical role of specialized market knowledge. From practical advice on funding and marketing to overcoming upper limit issues and staying motivated, Dave Fox's insights are a treasure trove for any aspiring entrepreneur. So tune in, get inspired, and discover how to m…

In today's episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with ex-athlete turned successful recruiter Domenic Maiani, who shares his incredible journey of leaving a stable job, overcoming legal hurdles, and skyrocketing his new recruiting agency to a $1.5 million success in just one year. Many recruiters struggle with the challenges of starting their own agency and scaling their business, and this episode dives deep into those very struggles, providing actionable insights to help you achieve similar, if ...

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, titled **"Bet on Yourself: Zaharo Tsekouras on Starting a Recruiting Firm,"** we have an inspiring conversation between your host, Benjamin Mena, and guest host, Zaharo Tsekouras. Join us as Zaharo shares her incredible journey of launching a successful recruiting company, even while expecting a child! She offers invaluable advice on betting on yourself, overcoming fears, and navigating the challenges of starting a business. Throughout the episode, you'll learn how to effectively reach out to CEOs for business development, the importance of cold emailing, and why targeting potential customers with specific services can yield a high response rate. Zaharo also talks about key books that influenced her career, and why trusting your gut is essential for early-career professionals. We'll dive into the nuances of niche specialization in recruiting, the significance of building strong, genuine relationships with clients and ca…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we discuss the world of recruiting with industry leaders and innovators. In today's episode, your host Benjamin Mena sits down with Nicolas Greppo, the successful founder of The Data Recruiter based in Paris. Nicolas shares his incredible journey from a sales intern in 2003 to becoming a niche recruiter for data scientists, along with the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Get ready to dive into Nicolas's experiences in transitioning from contingent to retained recruiting, the critical role of mentorship from Tony Robbins and coach Roy Ripper, and the art of outsourcing administrative tasks to focus on core business strategies. We'll also hear about how Nicolas's YouTube channel on data science interview tips became a game-changer for his recruitment business, leading to significant placements and client wins. Nicolas's story doesn't just stop at professional successes; he shares personal insights into his competitive dri…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we spotlight inspiring stories from the world of recruitment. In this episode, we're joined by the incredible Sarah Englade, who has triumphed against adversity to build a thriving recruiting firm in Houston, specializing in direct hire for accounting, finance, and HR positions. Host Benjamin Mena dives deep into Sarah's story, exploring her journey from being fired and laid off to generating a remarkable $1.6 million in revenue with her own firm. Starting as a licensed medical esthetician in Massachusetts, Sarah moved to Houston and pivoted to a career in recruitment, eventually mastering various staffing fields and climbing the corporate ladder. However, she found the cutthroat corporate environment didn't align with her values, leading her to start her own venture, Monarch Talent Solutions. Despite early struggles, including navigating non-compete issues and enduring six months without placements, Sarah's dedication, humane approa…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome Julia Arpag, a remarkable leader who turned a major setback into a monumental success. Join host Benjamin Mena as he dives into Julia's inspiring journey from being laid off while on maternity leave to generating $500,000 in revenue within just nine months. Julia shares invaluable insights on maintaining empathy and a commitment to positive leadership, running a lean organization, and the power of affirmations and intentional thought. We discuss the importance of high performance over monetary goals, staying disciplined, and leveraging personalized marketing strategies like Dripify on LinkedIn. Tune in to hear how Julia's dedication, strategic mindset, and coaching support helped her transition from an employee to a successful business owner. We also explore her daily routines, the significance of financial preparedness, and essential advice for aspiring and seasoned recruiters. Don’t miss out on…

Welcome back to another enlightening episode of **The Elite Recruiter Podcast**! Today, we're diving deep into the world of recruiting with a special episode titled, "Grow, Build, and Scale Your Recruiting Firm," featuring our distinguished guest, Jonathan Bartos. Join host Benjamin Mena as he and Jonathan Bartos explore the evolving roles in the recruiting industry, emphasizing the critical importance of appointment setters and their contributions to professionalizing the sales process. Jonathan delves into his unique approach to understanding client needs and addressing gaps in hiring processes, offering valuable insights on delegating tasks, setting expectations, and the importance of coaching and continuous learning for both new and seasoned recruiters. In this episode, discover how the right metrics, tools, and business development activities can significantly boost your recruiting firm's effectiveness and revenue. Jonathan also shares practical tips on managing and training o…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast. I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today we're joined by a truly remarkable guest, Pete Tomasko, who has an incredible story of transformation from homelessness to becoming a partner in a thriving search firm, Titan Placement Group. Twelve years living on the streets, battling addiction, and overcoming personal demons—Pete’s journey is nothing short of miraculous. In today’s episode, titled "Homeless to Search Firm Owner: The Transformational Power of Recruiting," Pete will share how he was introduced to the recruiting industry at 45, with no prior experience, and how this opportunity completely turned his life around. We'll explore the challenges he faced, including dealing with toxic work environments and how breaking free from those led him to success and fulfillment. Pete also sits on the board of directors for Lite Share Behavioral and Wellness Centers, where he uses his personal experiences to help others. Hi…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, we have a thrilling conversation with special guest Brianna Rooney, a self-made millionaire recruiter who will share her journey from bartending to creating her own powerhouse recruiting agency. Brianna's inspiring story offers tons of insights into building financial success, the power of leveraging technology, and the essential mindset shifts needed to thrive in recruiting. We'll delve into her early struggles, how she capitalized on LinkedIn before it boomed, and her strategic move to establish a commission-based reward system that kept her team motivated. From the importance of hiring and training to leveraging personal coaching for emotional intelligence, Brianna covers it all, providing invaluable advice for both budding and veteran recruiters. We'll also discuss some innovative tech tools that are changing the game in recruitment. Stay tuned as we explore how focus, resilience, and continuous learning can lead yo…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! I'm your host, Benjamin Mena, and today's episode, "Being Different Is The Path To Success," features an invigorating discussion with the dynamic Cas van Oort. Cas dives into the art of leveraging job boards as a multi-faceted funnel not just for government contracting but as an innovative approach to recruitment services. He shares sage advice on the long-term commitment required to nurture such a platform and how it can become a magnet for both clients and candidates. Cas enlightens us on the indispensable role of personal branding, a tool both rookie and seasoned recruiters ought to wield effectively. He urges us to embrace uniqueness in our marketing and business strategies, reinforcing the lesson from Chris Voss's "Never Split the Difference" about the power of the "DJ voice" in communication. Our conversation meanders through the potential impacts of AI on the recruitment industry, affirming that while AI may handle many tasks, the human…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where we bring the brightest minds and the boldest strategies right to your ears. In today's episode, titled "$0 to $2.5 Million in 2 years with Mike Williams," we have an incredible journey to unpack. Our guest, Mike Williams of Caribbean Search in Charlotte, North Carolina, sits down with our host Benjamin Mena, to reveal how he transformed his passion for recruiting into a multi-million dollar business. From cutting his teeth on cold calls at a call center to becoming a self-taught top biller with no training, Mike doesn't just talk about success—he's lived it. We dive deep into the ethos that drove him to leave a comfortable job and overcome the perils of entrepreneurship. Mike shares the strategies that led to his niche success in the manufacturing sector, the importance of selective recruiting, and his candid approach to building a company culture. Listeners, you're in for a treat as Mike also sheds light on how he juggles the d…

Are you struggling to level up your recruitment game despite years of experience? Discover the advanced techniques that can transform your process and results. In a high-stakes industry like recruiting, resting on your laurels is not an option. The landscape is evolving, with technology, market dynamics, and client expectations in constant flux. This episode delivers insightful strategies directly from the recruitment guru, Steve Finkel. Whether you are facing challenges in obtaining candidate ...

Mastering the Art of Recruiting with Steve Finkel - Part 1 Are you struggling to level up your recruitment game despite years of experience? Discover the advanced techniques that can transform your process and results. In a high-stakes industry like recruiting, resting on your laurels is not an option. The landscape is evolving, with technology, market dynamics, and client expectations in constant flux. This episode delivers insightful strategies directly from the recruitment guru, Steve Finke...