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Dawson Henis

Dawson Henis Profile Photo

Founder

Dawson Henis is the founder of Henis Group, a direct hire recruiting firm focused on high-quality placements for manufacturing and industrial clients. He launched the company the week he turned 24, with less than two years of experience in high-volume temp staffing and just three direct hire placements under his belt. After landing one big placement, he saw the opportunity and decided to bet on himself. Now 26, Dawson has built a lean, profitable business with a small but growing team, and he has structured it to give him options most founders don’t have.

While many entrepreneurs stay stuck working in the business just to keep things moving, Dawson designed Henis Group so he could focus on working on the business. He still leads strategy on both the client and candidate sides but has removed himself from day-to-day sourcing and fulfillment. That shift has allowed him to double down on growth, marketing, process development, and leadership— all the high-leverage work that keeps the business moving forward. He is not grinding to survive; he is building a business he actually enjoys running.

Outside of recruiting, Dawson is deeply committed to endurance sports. He recently completed his first Ironman and is currently training for another while also pursuing bodybuilding. He brings the same discipline and structure to his business that he brings to his training. He is proving that it is possible to build a serious, high-performing recruiting firm with strong earning potential and the freedom to live life on your own terms. His mission is to scale with intention, lead with clarity, and build a business that delivers results without sacrificing personal freedom or burning out.

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June 1, 2026

7 Contractors in 4 Weeks From Clients You Already Have

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 …
Guest: Dawson Henis