Recruiter Startup School

Chris Allaire built his recruitment firm in the heart of New York, surviving market crashes, dodging hype, and growing through pure focus on niche expertise and real relationships. Now leading a fully remote team from South Carolina, he joins our host Dualta Doherty to unpack how he scaled his business without chasing trends, what it actually takes to break into the US market, and why great recruiters won’t be replaced by AI anytime soon.If you're a founder looking to expand into the US or make sense of the current tech hiring landscape, this one’s got real insights. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty speaks with Wendy McDougall, CEO of Firefish, about the evolving world of recruitment technology. They discuss Wendy’s journey from top-billing recruiter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of building an ATS, and the future of AI in hiring. Wendy shares insights into recruitment market cycles, the importance of customer service in tech, and how automation is reshaping the industry. Tune in for insights on how recruitment tech is evolving.

Justin McGuire has been running MCG Talent for 15 years, expanding across Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Riyadh. In this episode, he breaks down what actually works in recruitment today, why he moved away from the traditional 360 model, and how he built a leaner, more profitable business. He shares the biggest money traps recruitment firms fall into, the challenges of expanding into Saudi Arabia, and why most recruiters have forgotten how to build real client relationships. Tune in for the full conversation!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Anthony Kelly, founder of Deep REC AI, reflects on his first year in business, navigating a challenging market, and expanding into high-value AI recruitment. He shares insights on hiring mistakes, business development, working with VCs, and why he’s keeping operations in the UK instead of opening a U.S. office. Host Dualta Doherty and Anthony also discuss AI’s impact on recruitment, the future of hiring, and how our guest plans to integrate venture capital investment into his business strategy. Tune in for deeper insights!

Rich Gibbard joins the Recruiter Startup Podcast to break down the state of recruitment, automation, and business development in 2024. He and Dualta discuss how the market is shifting, where the best opportunities lie, and how recruiters can win in a competitive scene. They dive into the Manchester recruitment scene, the rise (and fall) of automation, and how firms can stand out through better marketing, LinkedIn strategy, and community-building. Watch now and subscribe for more!

Join Dualta and Rich Evans for a casual and insightful chat on the Recruiter Startup Podcast. They discuss recruitment vibes, industry trends, and the contrasts between Leeds and Manchester. #Podcast #Recruitment #CareerTips

This episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast features Dan Martin, founder of The Ripple Project and a mindset coach with a compelling story of transformation. Dan shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles to empowering recruitment leaders to find purpose, resilience, and balance in their careers. With his unique perspective and practical approach, Dan offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the highs and lows of work and life. This is an inspiring and thought-provoking episode that highlights the power of mindset and leadership. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty chats with Logan Naidu from Kernel Global. Logan shares his 20-year journey in recruitment, exploring private equity transactions and offering advice for founders. Discover the insights and strategies that drove Kernel's growth and success.

Welcome to a new episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast! This time, Ben Browning from Resonant joins us to discuss the major challenges and opportunities recruiters are navigating in 2025. The discussion dives into shifting markets, the rise of tech disruption, and the evolving role of automation in sales. Ben shares his insights on building better systems, sharpening business development strategies, and staying competitive in an increasingly complex landscape. Drawing on his extensive experience and recent research, he offers practical advice for recruitment leaders and business owners looking to adapt and thrive.  Tune in!

The Recruiter Startup Podcast kicks off 2025 with a conversation with Michelle Flynn, a recruitment veteran turned coach who host Dualta Doherty compares to the 'Billions' character Wendy Rhoades—and, after hearing her thoughts on the industry, it is easy to understand why. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from agency recruitment to coaching, offering insights on how leaders can balance work and life, build resilience, achieve peak performance and navigate the ups and downs of leadership in recruitment. Tune in!

In this special episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty catches up with his long-term business partner, Andy Hallett, to reflect on the highs, lows, and viral moments of 2024. From the recruitment industry's toughest challenges to predictions for a global oil and gas boom under Trump, they explore what's next for recruiters navigating a changing market. Expect candid insights on scaling recruitment businesses, leveraging technology, and staying ahead of the curve, plus a bit of banter about Christmas pints, viral LinkedIn controversies, and the future of work. If you're looking for smart strategies and a healthy dose of realism heading into 2025, this is one to tune into!

In this episode of The Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty sits down with Dan Mills, co-founder of Hiiya, to explore his journey through recruitment and entrepreneurship. Dan shares how his years of experience in scaling teams and building high-performing desks shaped his approach to launching his own business. He talks about the importance of data-driven management, creating relatable content to stand out in a crowded market, and how humour and creativity have become key tools for success. Dan also opens up about the personal challenges he faced, including launching Hiiya while supporting his wife through a cancer diagnosis, and how those moments reinforced his drive to make it work. This episode is a raw and insightful look at leadership, resilience, and doing recruitment differently. A must-watch for anyone navigating the highs and lows of building a business.

In this insightful episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty sits down with recruitment legend Mike Ames to discuss the past, present, and future of the industry. Mike reflects on the golden era of recruitment, the current challenges facing recruiters, and how businesses can adapt to thrive in a tougher market. They explore the transformative role of AI, from automating tasks to reshaping how recruitment works, and share strategies to build long-lasting client relationships. From knowing when to say “no” to opportunities, to adopting new business models like fractional and contract-based services, this episode offers practical advice and thoughtful perspectives on navigating the evolving recruitment landscape. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta speaks with Sam Green, co-founder of Few and Far, to explore the realities of building a modern recruitment business. Sam shares his journey from frustration in KPI-driven environments to creating a company centred on community, client partnerships, and innovation. Together, they discuss some of the recruitment industry's most pressing debates: 360 vs. 180 models, the challenges of remote work for company culture, and the transition from contingent to retained recruitment. Discover how Few and Far provides bespoke client solutions like EVP development and candidate packs, redefining success in a competitive market. Packed with insights and hard-earned lessons, this episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about recruitment and business growth.

In this episode, our host Dualta Doherty welcomes Paul McClatchie, founder of Engage People Recruitment for a conversation on what the latest political shifts across the Atlantic might mean for recruiters in Ireland, exploring the challenges—and opportunities—facing the market right now. On the business side, Paul shares his insights on creating a strong brand, leveraging content for growth, and adapting to shifts in candidate expectations. If you’re interested in the future of recruitment in Ireland, listen in for a clear-eyed look at what’s ahead and the strategies from two industry veterans.

n the latest episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Gareth McGlynn, a longtime friend and recruitment colleague, takes over the mic to interview our host, Dualta Doherty. They explore Dualta’s journey from his early days at Robert Walters in Perth to his move to Calgary, discussing how these experiences shaped his approach to business and entrepreneurship. This candid conversation delves into the real-life ups and downs of building a career, offering valuable insights for anyone navigating their own path in the recruitment industry.

n this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty interviews Jamie Wilkinson, who discusses building a top-tier talent provider for the Salesforce ecosystem in Europe and the US. Jamie shares his strategies for balancing business pressures with personal well-being, the role of investment and support in a startup’s success, plans for expansion, and his perspective on current market trends. Tune in for valuable insights into starting a business in a tough market and the importance of understanding the human side of recruitment.

Join Dualta Doherty on the latest Recruiter Startup Podcast episode for a candid conversation with Tom White, co-founder of Five Value. Tom takes us through his journey from telecommunication sales to a successful career in recruitment, and talks about the key traits needed to thrive in the industry, the evolving role of AI, and the challenges of breaking into the US market. He also shares some practical leadership advice, such as the importance of stepping back as a founder to let your team shine and the value of maintaining strong client relationships.

Welcome to the first RecWired Podcast episode of the year with a very special guest, Dualta Doherty - RecWired's Co-Founder and Doherty Group's Managing Director. 

We've brought DD into the show to share not only about the exciting last years he has been through growing his Rec2Rec business and the RecWired Community, but also how moving to Gibraltar was a game changer.
 Are you wondering what's the new RecWired+ platform all about? We got a closer look at its development, a comprehensive solution aiming to transform learning and development in the recruitment space. Dualta and the team's approach to solving problems identified in the competitor analysis and their journey to bring on new team members to enhance the project were key highlights. We also delve into the impact of AI on the recruitment industry, future job market concerns for the next generation, and innovative education methods that prepare children for a digital future. Dualta shared his thoughts on our industry's curre

On this episode, I sit down with Matt Chambers, Loxo’s CEO, to discuss the latest product developments and the future of recruitment. Earlier this month, Loxo announced their completely free Recruiting CRM and ATS, and we explore what this means for the industry and the ATSs on the market. Matt talks about his entrepreneurial journey and the valuable lessons he's learned along the way. From acquiring thousands of customers globally, expanding from the US to the European market to navigating the rapidly evolving rech tech landscape, he shares his insights into what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur in today's fast-paced world.
Always great to catch up with Matt, enjoy it! "Apply to join the RecWired platform Beta here: https://bit.ly/3t9RSUU"