The Elite Recruiter Podcast

How an Industry Insider Built a Recruiting Agency From Scratch (No Fancy Tools) 🏆 Elite Recruiter Awards – Voting is Open Recognize the recruiters and leaders making a real impact. Vote now → https://benjaminmena.typeform.com/to/tK5kwRMe Episode Hook He wasn’t a lifelong recruiter. He didn’t have a tech stack, automation, or AI hacks. Yet he built a profitable recruiting agency anyway — by doing what most recruiters avoid. 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to build polished candidate profiles and reports — so recruiters can focus on revenue. 👉 https://recruitwithatlas.com/ Why This Episode Matters Most recruiters think they need better tools, better scripts, or better tech to win. This episode proves that belief is holding you back. If you’ve ever wondered whether your industry background, relationships, and phone skills are enough to build a real recruiting business — this conversation will change how you see your potential. What You’ll Learn In this episode, you’ll learn: The exact mindset shift that allowed an industry professional to outperform career recruitersWhy old-school phone calls still beat automation for business developmentHow to use NPCs (Named Potential Candidates) to win clients before roles ever openThe hidden mistake new agency owners make when trying to scale too fastHow saving $1.5M in agency fees made him dangerous as a founderWhy recruiters fail when leaving industry — and how to avoid itHow to build a niche so strong clients trust you before the first call About the Guest Chance Wood is the founder of One Degree Agriculture, a recruiting firm built entirely on industry expertise, relationships, and execution. After transitioning from agency recruiting to in-house TA — where he saved his company over $1.5M — Chance launched his own firm and quickly surpassed six figures without relying on “fancy tools.” Extended Value Tease Imagine building a recruiting business where clients trust you because you’ve lived their world. Where business development feels natural instead of forced. Where your background becomes your unfair advantage. This episode is a blueprint for recruiters who want freedom, simplicity, and leverage — without chasing every new tool or trend. Listen Now If you want to grow your desk or agency using relationships, clarity, and execution — hit play. This is one of those episodes that changes how you approach recruiting. Timestamp Highlights 00:01 – Why industry professionals underestimate their recruiting power05:30 – What a “grain elevator” is and why lived experience matters09:45 – The recruiter experience that shaped his philosophy12:20 – Landing revenue in 18 days as a brand-new recruiter19:30 – Why going in-house made him a better founder22:00 – Saving $1.5M by running TA like an agency27:00 – The moment he knew it was time to go solo29:45 – What he did in his first week as a founder34:00 – Why NPCs beat job orders for BD36:30 – His exact “one-two punch” outreach approach40:00 – Why AI won’t save weak business development44:00 – The biggest scaling mistake he made49:00 – Advice for industry professionals considering recruiting52:00 – The family conversation every founder must get right Summit + Community 🎯 2026 Sales & BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Elite Recruiter Community All summits, replays, Billers Club + split opportunities https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community Tools & Links 🔹 Pin → https://www.pin.com/ 🔹 Email List → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: 👤 Chance Wood → https://www.linkedin.com/in/chancetywood/ 🌐 Benjamin Mena → http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

🔥 SHOW NOTES — The Elite Recruiter Podcast Episode Title: How a One-Man Recruiter Closed 22 Executive Searches by Doing What Others Won’t 1. EPISODE HOOK Most recruiters overcomplicate this business. Craig Picken built a multi-seven-figure executive search practice by doing the opposite—and he did it as a one-man army. This episode reveals how. 2. WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS If you're tired of inconsistent billings, weak client relationships, or low-margin searches, this conversation will change how you operate. Craig shares the simple—but uncomfortable—moves that helped him win 22 retained searches and become the go-to recruiter in his niche. 3. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • The niche strategy Craig used to dominate aviation & aerospace • How he wins CEO/COO/CFO searches without going through HR • His “dartboard framework” for mapping decision-makers • The mindset shift that fixes most BD problems • The one move that closes more searches: “get on the plane” • How podcasting attracts PE firms + high-value clients • The truth about counteroffers, burnout, and why simple beats sophisticated 4. ABOUT THE GUEST Craig Picken is a leading executive recruiter in aviation & aerospace. As a one-man boutique firm, he's built a reputation for elite placements and is trusted by CEOs and private equity leaders across the industry. 5. EXTENDED VALUE TEASE Imagine knowing exactly who to call, how to speak their language, and how to position yourself as the only recruiter worth hiring. Imagine landing higher-margin searches, working directly with decision-makers, and becoming the recognized expert in your niche. That’s the transformation this episode delivers. 6. LISTEN NOW CTA Want to become the recruiter clients seek out—not the one begging for job orders? Hit play. 7. TIMESTAMP HIGHLIGHTS 00:03:03 — From Navy aviator → elite recruiter 00:07:04 — The moment that pushed him into search 00:12:24 — Punching above your weight early 00:15:04 — What to decline and why it matters 00:16:48 — How writing + podcasting built authority 00:21:16 — Turning podcast episodes into placements 00:24:12 — Craig’s “dartboard” org-mapping system 00:28:29 — Conference strategy that fuels his pipeline 00:29:52 — Why flying out closes more searches 00:37:40 — The Saturday that cost six figures 00:41:37 — Why recruiters overcomplicate everything 00:43:46 — How he structures retained fees 00:52:15 — The question recruiters should ask 01:02:46 — If you're afraid to call CEOs, this isn’t your business 8. SPONSORS 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🌐 Recruiters Websites (10% off) Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ 9. SUMMIT + COMMUNITY 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 10. TOOLS & LINKS PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin → https://www.pin.com/ Email list → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube → https://youtu.be/RaLZYpvQRkM Craig on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpicken/ Host: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Ben LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Ben Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

EPISODE SHOW NOTES — The Outbound & Discovery Playbook: How Elite Recruiters Close More Deals (with Conor Kline) (The Elite Recruiter Podcast with Benjamin Mena) 1. EPISODE HOOK Most recruiters think their problem is lead generation. Conor Kline reveals the truth: your real bottleneck is your sales process — and it’s costing you clients, deals, and revenue. 🔹 SPONSORS 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Try it free → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🌐 Recruiters Websites (10% off) Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ 2. WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS This episode rewires how you approach BD. Learn the exact outbound, discovery, and closing frameworks top SaaS sales teams use — adapted for recruiters. Use them to increase reply rates, win better clients, and grow revenue fast. 3. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • Why 90% of recruiters fail at outbound • How to build a high-converting ICP + targeting strategy • The 12–15 touch sequence Conor recommends • The discovery question that reveals real client pain • Why closing becomes easy when discovery is right • How MEDIC uncovers budget, decision makers & urgency • The AI workflow that got Ben a remarkable candidate reply 4. ABOUT THE GUEST Conor Kline, Head of Revenue at PIN.com, is a top sales operator in the recruiting tech space. Formerly with Interseller, he’s trained thousands of recruiters to improve outbound, discovery, and closing performance. 5. EXTENDED VALUE TEASE Imagine a desk with warm leads, clients who respect your process, and a pipeline full of searches you actually want. This episode gives you the systems, clarity, and structure to operate like a top 1% recruiter. 6. LISTEN NOW CTA Hit play — your 2026 billings will thank you. 7. TIMESTAMP HIGHLIGHTS 00:03 — Why recruiters are the hardest buyers 05:08 — What makes PIN different 07:57 — The #1 thing recruiters lack 10:31 — Building a laser-focused ICP 13:55 — The 20-target rule 17:45 — Why messaging fails 18:48 — The outbound stack 20:18 — AI vs. human personalization 22:19 — The 12–15 touch sequence 24:33 — Discovery explained 27:18 — MEDIC for recruiters 34:15 — Why closing should feel easy 41:02 — The future of recruiting tech 45:21 — Why point solutions win 49:26 — Ben’s AI outbound story 53:55 — The question Conor wishes recruiters asked 56:00 — Curiosity = elite performance 8. SUMMIT + COMMUNITY 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community All summits, replays, billers club + split space https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 9. TOOLS & LINKS PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin → https://www.pin.com/ Email List → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: https://youtu.be/yG93v54M2Fk Conor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conorkline/ Host: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Ben LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Advanced Closing Mastery: Steve Finkel’s Framework to Triple Your Placements From His Latest Book: Closing For Recruiters   Recruiters: Part 2 is where the real closing mastery begins. If Part 1 showed why closing matters, this episode gives you the exact frameworks, closes, and psychological triggers used by the top 1% of recruiters to turn hesitation into yes—and offers into revenue. Sponsors 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🌐 Recruiters Websites (10% off) High-performance websites for recruiting agencies. Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Why This Episode Matters Most recruiters rely on instinct when closing. Elite billers rely on structure. Steve Finkel breaks down the exact multi-step sequences that convert great interviews into signed offers, protect your fees, and dramatically increase long-term production—especially in a world where AI and internal teams can find candidates but cannot close them.  What You’ll Learn • How to structure a closing call for maximum influence • Why major closes require combinations—not one-liners • The “College Professor Close” (full breakdown & psychology) • How to overcome a candidate’s fear of change • How to position yourself as a long-term career strategist • When to use logic vs. emotion—and how to blend the two • How to analyze your own calls using After Action Reviews About the Guest Steve Finkel is one of the most respected recruiter trainers in the world. His closing frameworks, sales psychology, and training systems have increased production for thousands of recruiters and reshaped entire search firms globally. Extended Value Tease Imagine knowing exactly which close to use, when to use it, how to pivot in real time, and how to guide hesitant candidates toward the right decision. These methods help you run stronger searches, protect fees, and build repeat client relationships that compound for years. If you want to add 30–50% more billing, this is the blueprint. Listen Now Hit play—this is advanced-level closing strategy every high-level recruiter should master. Timestamp Highlights 04:15 – The critical prep work before any closing call 08:05 – Why closing starts with selecting the right assignment 12:45 – Logic-first vs emotion-first closing strategies 17:20 – Full breakdown: The College Professor Close 21:40 – Fear-of-Change Close: easing candidate anxiety 26:00 – Becoming a “career strategist,” not a recruiter 29:50 – Recording your calls and doing After Action Reviews 34:10 – Why most recruiters train on the wrong parts of the job 38:45 – The skill gap holding back even experienced billers 40:07 – Why focusing only on sourcing is a losing strategy 45:12 – How Steve helped firms boost revenue 30–50% with closing Sponsors Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Recruiters Websites (10% off) Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Summit + Community 🎯 2026 Sales & BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Elite Recruiter Community: All summits, replays, billers club + split space https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community Tools & Links PeopleGPT Free Trial → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Pin Free Trial → https://www.pin.com/ Subscribe → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe Follow Steve Finkel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-finkel-9b4ba37/ Steve Finkel’s Website: https://www.stevefinkel.com/ Host: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

The Art of Closing: Steve Finkel Reveals Why Most Recruiters Lose Offers Recruiters: You’re not paid for sourcing—you’re paid for closing. And the hidden skill separating top billers from everyone else is the one most recruiters never train: what happens after the first interview. Why This Episode Matters If you’ve ever lost an offer after weeks of work, watched a great candidate vanish, or seen a deal collapse at the finish line—this episode changes everything. Steve Finkel reveals the true science (and art) of closing so you boost placements, win more clients, and outperform even the most tech-enabled internal teams. What You’ll Learn • The hidden closing mistakes that quietly destroy fees • Why “doing everything right up front” still isn’t enough • The two-step debrief method that triples placement ratios • Industry-specific closing tactics beyond outdated trial closes • The “College Professor Close” and how it reshapes decisions • Language patterns that dissolve fear and resistance • How elite recruiters role-play and analyze to increase billings 30–50% About the Guest Steve Finkel is one of the most influential recruiter trainers in the world. His books and frameworks have shaped thousands of top billers and helped entire firms scale production for decades. Extended Value Tease Imagine fewer turndowns, more second interviews, higher acceptance rates, and clients who trust you with every critical hire. That’s what happens when you master closing. This isn’t about filling jobs—it’s about becoming the rainmaker who consistently brings deals across the line. Listen Now Stop leaving deals—and money—on the table. Hit play and let Steve rewire how you close forever. Timestamp Highlights 00:27 – Why recruiters get paid for what happens after the first interview 02:16 – The #1 skill that separates elite from average 04:01 – The insight from developer Larry Nobles 05:38 – Why “doing everything right” doesn’t guarantee placements 07:07 – The fatal dependence on “automatic closes” 09:39 – Why many recruiters can’t break the 75% offer-accept ceiling 11:01 – When “never losing a deal” means you’re playing too safe 13:04 – The two-sided debrief form that multiplies live candidates 15:29 – Extracting value from “dead” candidates 18:39 – The slip-and-sidestep tactic for reframing negatives 20:39 – The language tweak that boosts agreement by 50% 25:27 – Why “time in the chair” doesn’t build real skill 32:30 – How to choose the right close for the scenario 44:21 – Ending the closing call strong 48:14 – How recruiters add 30–50% more billing Sponsors 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🌐 Recruiters Websites (10% off) High-performance websites for recruiting agencies. Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Summit + Community 🎯 2026 Sales & BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 💼 Elite Recruiter Community: All summits, replays, billers club + split space https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community Tools & Links PeopleGPT Free Trial → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI Free Trial → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin Free Trial → https://www.pin.com/ Subscribe → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: Coming Soon Follow Steve Finkel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-finkel-9b4ba37/ Host: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Benjamin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

The Pro Athlete Mindset That Creates World-Class Recruiters What happens when a former professional athlete brings elite discipline, visualization, and competitive fire into recruiting? You get a recruiter who treats the desk like a sport—and builds a fast-growing search firm in record time. In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, former pro athlete Jared Watts, founder of Next Play Search Group, reveals how the athlete DNA that took him from youth national teams to the professional level translates directly into high-performance recruiting. From reviewing “game tape,” embracing pressure, and tracking everything like a scoreboard to building trust with PE/VC firms, Jared breaks down the exact mindset and systems behind his rapid rise. He shares how he structured an in-house role to mimic agency upside, launched his firm intentionally, and built a relationship engine where candidates often become future clients. If you’re looking to grow your desk, strengthen your business development, or operate with more precision and confidence, this conversation will push you to level up. If you want to: • Stop guessing and start tracking the right KPIs • Build a repeatable client engine • Improve your negotiation and influence skills • Create a personal operating system that compounds • Develop the self-belief and discipline of a pro athlete… This episode will change how you work. Key Takeaways • Elite recruiters track like athletes. Jared reverse-engineers every goal using metrics, patterns, and daily habits. • Relationships scale revenue. Giving without expectation—introductions, notes, referrals—creates a pipeline of repeat PE/VC clients. • Visualization drives performance. Confidence comes from preparation and treating every conversation like a high-stakes moment. • Do things that don’t scale. Personal touchpoints create leverage automation can’t match. • Protect your time. BD, candidates, and high-value conversations come first—everything else waits. Listen, subscribe, share, and connect with us!   SPONSORS & LINKS 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates admin, syncs resumes/emails, and uses AI to build polished profiles and reports. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🌐 Recruiters Websites (10% off for listeners) High-performance websites built for recruiting agencies. Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off → https://recruiterswebsites.com/ 💼 Join the Elite Recruiter Community — Only $49/month Access ALL Summit Replays, live roundtables, Billers’ Club, and our split space. Join → https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 🧠 Free Trials: PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin → https://www.pin.com/ 📬 Newsletter Signup: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/CPI43bV5cgI 🔗 Connect with Jared Watts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-watts-1799339b/ 👤 With Host Benjamin Mena (Select Source Solutions): http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

In this powerful episode, million-dollar biller Emily Audibert breaks down how she went from six months without a single placement to becoming one of the most sought-after recruiters in the go-to-market tech space. Her turning point wasn’t a new tool or technique—it was understanding the balance between masculine and feminine energy in selling, sourcing, influence, and relationship-building. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Running a recruiting firm is already a full-time job. Managing your website, SEO, paid ads, and online strategy shouldn’t be. Recruiters Websites builds beautiful, high-performance websites designed specifically for recruiting and staffing agencies—complete with SEO, branding, automation, lead generation, and ongoing marketing support. If you want a website that actually attracts clients and candidates (not just looks good), they’re the go-to partner for top recruiters. Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off any new service. 👉 https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Emily also reveals how she landed multiple RPO engagements, scaled predictable revenue, and built a thriving agency while raising a family—all without sacrificing authenticity or burning out. If you're a recruiter, agency owner, or talent acquisition leader trying to get better results with less friction, this episode gives you the mindset, strategy, and real-world examples you can apply today. In this episode: • Use feminine and masculine energy strategically to build trust, reduce resistance, and create more natural conversations with candidates and clients. • Structure and sell RPO engagements—even if you’ve never done one before—so you can secure recurring revenue and deepen client partnerships. • Adopt the million-dollar biller mindset by mastering consistency, reframing rejection, and developing a personal operating system that creates long-term success. • Build a recruiting business around your strengths instead of forcing outdated playbooks that no longer match modern hiring. • Use visualization, goal-setting, and self-awareness to accelerate your growth and scale your agency intentionally.  Key Takeaways: • Energy matters more than scripts—learn to lead with your natural strengths. • RPOs can transform your revenue and make you indispensable to clients. • Consistency + mindset beat “hustle” every time. • You don’t need to be aggressive to win—you need to be aligned. • The fastest path to growth is becoming the recruiter only you can be. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Get a modern, high-performing recruiting website built to drive clients and candidates. Mention Elite Recruiter Podcast for 10% off. https://recruiterswebsites.com/ 🤝 Join the Elite Recruiter Community Get ALL Summit Replays, live roundtables, our Billers’ Club, a split space, and the most collaborative recruiting network out there. Only $49/month. https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community 🧠 Free Trials of AI Tools: PeopleGPT: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Pin: https://www.pin.com/ Subscribe: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/6w5ReZqBFRQ 🔗 Follow Emily Audibert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyaudibert/ 🎙 Host: Benjamin Mena — Select Source Solutions https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Is your recruiting desk—or your entire firm—running on chaos instead of systems? You’re not alone. Most recruiters feel the turbulence daily… but the top-performing firms operate differently. They run on an Operating System that eliminates chaos, drives consistent billings, and creates scalable growth. In this episode, Ben sits down with Kelsey Boyd, a transformational operator who helped overhaul a multi-brand recruiting organization—rebuilding systems, rewriting processes, revamping tech, and implementing EOS to create genuine business momentum. This conversation is a masterclass in turning recruiting chaos into predictable success.   🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com  Kelsey shares insider lessons from leading rebrands, digital transformations, and full operational restructures inside recruiting and staffing companies. Whether you’re a solo recruiter, a growing agency, or a leader scaling toward multi-million-dollar years, you’ll learn exactly how high-performing firms create clarity, consistency, and accountability. No fluff—just real frameworks you can apply today.   You’ll walk away knowing: • How to identify the bottlenecks killing your productivity • The exact scorecard metrics top recruiters use to grow revenue • Why EOS and operating systems work so well in recruiting • How to create predictability in a business defined by unpredictability • How to fix the “right people, wrong seat” problem that silently stalls firms • And—most importantly—how to get out of the chaos and scale with confidence If you want to grow your desk, double your billings, or build a real recruiting business—not just a job—this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.   Listen now and learn the operating system behind every high-performing recruiting firm. Then hit Subscribe, leave us a review, and connect with Ben and Kelsey using the links below.  Key Takeaways Chaos isn’t a strategy—systems create scalable revenueScorecards and KPIs reveal what’s actually working (and what’s not)EOS frameworks give recruiters structure, accountability, and clarityThe right people in the right seats change everythingExpect turbulence: every business transformation gets messy before it gets better 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Join the Elite Recruiter Community Get access to ALL Summit Replays, live roundtables, our Billers’ Club, and a split space to partner on roles. Collaboration accelerates your career. Membership is just $49/month and you can cancel any time. Join today: https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community Free Tools for Recruiters PeopleGPT: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Pin: https://www.pin.com/ Signup for future emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: https://youtu.be/JB81D81E8cI Follow Kelsey Boyd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-boyd-day1/ Host: Benjamin Mena — Select Source Solutions Website: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

What does it really take to grow a recruiting business to $300M, scale contract staffing revenue, and execute a profitable exit—while keeping your team together? In this high-impact episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry veteran Jon Davis, who reveals the exact strategies that turned his firm into one of the most successful staffing organizations in the country. Whether you’re running a solo desk or scaling an agency, this episode is your roadmap to recurring revenue, massive valuation, and building a business buyers fight to acquire. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/   🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Why This Episode Matters Jon went from “mattress on the roof” beginnings to leading a multi-hundred-million-dollar staffing company. He shares the real growth lessons agency owners never hear—how to avoid burnout, when to pivot, how to fix broken processes, and how contract staffing can transform your business into a sellable asset. You’ll hear how he and his team tripled market presence, built sticky client relationships, navigated M&A, and executed an exit without losing a single recruiter. What You’ll Learn • Why relationships STILL outperform automation—and how elite recruiters nurture trust at scale • The recurring revenue formula: How to launch contract staffing even if you’ve only done direct hire • What buyers actually look for in a staffing firm (and why process > personality) • How to leverage EOR/back office partners to scale without building internal overhead • The exact frameworks Jon used to make his business “acquisition-ready” Key Takeaways Contract Revenue Drives Valuation Firms with 50%+ contract revenue win the highest multiples. Build recurring revenue now.Start Small, Grow Fast You don’t need to beat Adecco or Randstad. Win through relationships, speed, and niche expertise.Process = Profitability Document everything—BD, sourcing, compliance, onboarding. Processes make you scalable and sellable.Relationships Remain the Moat Clients and candidates stay with recruiters who show up, communicate, and solve their biggest problems.Stop Waiting for Perfect You can launch & scale contract staffing with today’s EOR, funding, and automation tools. Complexity is optional. If you want to scale your firm, build real enterprise value, and prep for a major exit—this is the playbook. 🎧 Hit play now, subscribe, and connect with Jon & Benjamin for more high-performance recruiting insights. Sponsors & Links 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Automates tagging, syncs resumes/emails, and generates polished profiles & reports. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🤝 Elite Recruiter Community All summit replays, roundtables, Billers’ Club & split space. Join for $49/month → https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community   ⚡ Free Trials Pin (AI Recruiting Assistant) → https://www.pin.com/ PeopleGPT & AI Agents → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d 📩 Podcast Email List → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/fB4XmqtrvyU 🔗 Follow Jon Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondavislinked/ 🌐 Host – Benjamin Mena: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

If you loved Part 1, get ready for the blueprint. In Part 2, Derek Pittak returns to break down how recruiters can actually use EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to scale—with simple, powerful tools that drive accountability, clarity, and focus. We cover everything from documenting processes (without 75-page SOPs) to running 90-day “traction” cycles, creating scorecards, setting rocks, and defining your company’s vision so your entire team rows in the same direction. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com What You’ll Learn Why most recruiting firms secretly have no real processesThe 90-day focus cycle that keeps teams on trackHow “rocks,” “to-dos,” and “issues” connect inside EOSHow to write a clear company vision (VTO) without hiring consultantsWhen EOS doesn’t work—and how to fix itWhat it’s really like to work with a certified EOS Implementer Key Takeaways ✅ Documented process = consistent delivery and brand trust ✅ 90-day rocks create momentum and measurable results ✅ Vision must live outside the founder’s head ✅ EOS works only with truth, accountability, and trust 💡 Want to Implement EOS? It’s a 24-month journey—five sessions a year, total transformation. Whether you self-implement or hire a certified guide, the key is commitment and consistency. 🎧 Listen Back Missed Part 1? Go hear Derek’s origin story and the mindset shift that made EOS stick inside 40 staffing firms. ⚡ Sponsor 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Pin: https://www.pin.com/ Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: Part 1: https://youtu.be/ZFGHt-Xhniw Part 2: https://youtu.be/WvdE_Fqi968 Follow Derek Pittak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-pittak-4b2ba86a/ With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Recruiting is chaos—and few people know how to tame it better than Derek Pittak, CEO of Lingo Staffing and certified EOS Implementer. Before joining the world of staffing, Derek worked inside the Department of Defense and a regional bank. Then one life-changing conversation pulled him into recruiting, where he went on to lead a $125 million portfolio of staffing brands and introduce EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) to over 40 firms. In this first part of our conversation, Derek unpacks how he made that leap, what EOS actually is, and why systems—not luck—separate scalable recruiting businesses from the rest. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com What You’ll Learn Derek’s journey from the Pentagon to staffing leadershipThe $5 million mistake that started his career in recruitingHow Talent Launch scaled to 10 brands using EOSWhat an “accountability chart” really looks like inside a recruiting firmWhy every leader must find their zone of genius—and delegate the restHow EOS exposes people issues before they destroy growth Key Takeaways ✅ Structure beats chaos—EOS gives leaders a repeatable playbook ✅ The accountability chart reveals where people truly belong ✅ Leaders grow only when they let go ✅ EOS isn’t theory—it’s built for real-world recruiting operations 🎧 Listen Next 👉 Part 2: Derek Pittak dives into the practical tools—rocks, scorecards, vision, and process—to help your recruiting business run on EOS.   ⚡ Sponsor 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Pin: https://www.pin.com/ Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: Part 1: https://youtu.be/ZFGHt-Xhniw Part 2: https://youtu.be/WvdE_Fqi968 Follow Derek Pittak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-pittak-4b2ba86a/ With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

What happens when a $900K-a-year recruiter decides to stop building for others—and builds her own AI product instead? Jessica Oliver didn’t have a tech background. No coding degree. No startup team. But that didn’t stop her from vibe coding her own SaaS platform for government contracting—all while running her recruiting business and raising three kids. This episode is a masterclass for recruiters ready to go beyond placements and build something bigger. Free Trial of Juicebox and its AI Agents one of Jessica’s favorite tools: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. 👉 Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com   Jessica shares her full journey—from being mentored by a million-dollar biller and scaling to $900K+ years, to taking the leap into solopreneurship and teaching herself AI automation. Inside this episode, you’ll discover: The real habits that create consistent six-figure months in recruiting.How Jessica used Juicebox AI agents to scale her outreach like a five-person team.The mindset shift from “top biller” to “tech founder.”Why the next wave of success in recruiting belongs to AI-powered solopreneurs.How she leveraged vibe coding tools like Cursor to build her first MVP—without knowing code. You’ll also hear Jessica’s honest take on burnout, motherhood, and mindset training that helped her rebuild confidence after leaving a comfortable role.   If you’ve ever looked at your pipeline and thought, “There’s got to be more than just sending resumes…” this is your roadmap. Jessica proves you can: ✅ Build smarter recruiting systems powered by AI agents. ✅ Go from employee to entrepreneur—without losing momentum. ✅ Turn your recruiting brain into a scalable, product-driven business. ✅ Reclaim time, freedom, and creative energy while still crushing billings. Her story will light a fire under any recruiter ready to reinvent themselves in the age of AI.   Listen now to learn how Jessica made the leap—from $900K recruiter to AI founder—and how you can start building your next chapter. 💥 Key Takeaways: Learn fast, build faster: You don’t need to know code—you need curiosity and execution.Tools don’t make you great—discipline does. Don’t drown in tech; master your process first.AI agents can multiply your output: Jessica runs a five-person desk solo using Juicebox AI.Mindset fuels everything: Daily affirmations, routines, and faith power her focus.Solopreneurs are the future: The recruiting world is shifting—those who embrace AI will win. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. 👉 Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🧠 Free Trial of Juicebox and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d 📈 Free Trial of Pin: https://www.pin.com/ 📬 Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/IZJJUn-BmiA 🔗 Follow Jessica Oliver on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaolivertechconnect/ Hosted by Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions → http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Recruiting can feel like total chaos—constant fires, endless admin, and a million moving parts. But what if there were a simple system that top firms use to triple revenue, double profitability, and finally calm the madness? That’s what you’ll learn in this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast with host Benjamin Mena and EOS Implementer & former Executive Recruiter Jackie Kibler. Jackie reveals how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)—the framework behind Traction—can transform your desk or agency from reactive hustle to structured growth.  Jackie has implemented EOS across dozens of recruiting and service-based firms, helping owners regain control, align their teams, and scale faster. In this episode, she shares how EOS helps recruiters: Build a clear vision and roadmap for growth.Create processes that run the business, not chaos.Put the right people in the right seats.Use data and weekly scorecards to measure what matters.Run meetings that actually solve problems and move revenue forward. Her clients have seen triple revenue, better retention, and stronger culture by mastering these EOS tools.   If you’ve ever said: “We’re growing, but I feel like I’m losing control.” “Our success depends on me doing everything.” “We make money—but it’s messy.” Then this episode is your blueprint. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to bring structure, focus, and freedom to your business—whether you’re a solo recruiter or running a $10 million agency.  Listen now to learn how to: Implement EOS to align your team and crush bottlenecks.Build 90-day “rocks” that drive consistent momentum.Run Level-10 meetings that eliminate wasted time.Always-Be-Recruiting—internally and externally.Use vision, data, and accountability to 10× performance. 🎧 Hit play, subscribe, and discover how elite recruiters scale smarter—without burning out. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/  🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. 👉 Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com  🧠 More Free Tools: Free Trial of PeopleGPT → https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Talin AI → https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Free Trial of Pin → https://www.pin.com/ 📩 Join The Elite Recruiter Podcast newsletter → https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe 🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/mtE4ebVnwWo 💼 Follow Jackie Kibler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackiekiblereos/ 🎙 Host: Benjamin Mena – Select Source Solutions 🔗 Benjamin Mena on LinkedIn 📸 Benjamin Mena on Instagram ✅ Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with a fellow recruiter who’s ready to grow from chaos to clarity.

What happens when a Marine-turned-headhunter takes on Wall Street? In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with John Pierson, CEO of P2 Investments, to explore how he built a boutique firm serving hedge funds and elite investors—then reinvented the recruiting game with a candidate-first, talent agent model. From cold-calling billionaires at dawn to founding his own firm, John’s story is a masterclass in risk-taking, storytelling, and redefining what recruiters can be in the age of AI. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging, syncs resumes and emails, and generates polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not admin. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Inside the Episode John shares his journey from Marine Corps air traffic controller to Wall Street talent agent—and what it taught him about persistence, leadership, and risk. Learn how his four-step agent model reshaped how hedge funds hire and why the best recruiters now act like agents, not order takers. Discover how John navigated the 2008 crash, the rise of AI tools, and today’s high-stakes candidate market. His lessons apply to every recruiter building deeper, more profitable relationships: Risk-taking and resilience in elite recruitingTurning candidates into lifelong clientsStorytelling as your #1 sales skillAligning integrity and income for real success Key Takeaways Be Bold: Fortune favors recruiters who take risks—cold-call, pitch, and bet on yourself.Candidate-Centric Wins: Build multi-year relationships before the move. Value > volume.The Agent Approach: Represent talent like athletes—introduction, collaboration, representation, and long-term advisory.AI + Human Touch: Tools like Atlas and RecruiterFlow empower storytelling, not replace it.Integrity Scales: When personal and professional values align, referrals and relationships follow. Ready to think like a talent agent, not a resume pusher? 🎧 Listen now to discover how risk, storytelling, and integrity can redefine your recruiting career. Subscribe, share, and connect with Benjamin Mena and John Pierson on LinkedIn to take your desk—and reputation—to the next level. Links & Sponsors 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM: https://recruitwithatlas.com ⚡ Free Trial – PeopleGPT: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d ⚡ Free Trial – Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter ⚡ Free Trial – Pin: https://www.pin.com/ 📩 Subscribe for podcast emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/ypyXKJlne3s 🔗 Follow John Pierson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpierson1/ 🌐 Host – Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ 💼 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ 📸 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Ever wondered what it really takes to scale a recruitment agency from the ground up—and have the guts to walk away at the top? In this episode, Benjamin Mena sits down with Gregory Fischer, who built AMI Network to over $4M in gross margin and $1.4M EBITDA—then left it all to build a new agency his way, powered by offshoring, smarter processes, and AI. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Inside the Episode Gregory opens up about the raw, unfiltered reality behind scaling and leading a multimillion-dollar agency—then choosing to start over. From burnout and purpose to AI and offshoring, this episode dives deep into the lessons most recruiters never hear. You’ll hear how Gregory broke a four-year revenue plateau by fixing niche problems, building inclusive offshore leadership, and blending AI with human talent. He shares what worked, what failed, and why redefining success beyond commission was his biggest transformation. What You’ll Learn How to break the $1M ceiling in direct hire revenue through niching and strategic account management.Gregory’s blueprint for offshoring that actually works—role clarity, KPIs, cultural integration, and incentives.Real talk on burnout, fulfillment, and purpose—and how to reignite your drive beyond money.When AI and offshoring work together (and when they don’t).The unfiltered truth about equity, ownership, and walking away—what to know before making your own leap. Key Takeaways Scaling Up the Right Way: Growth comes from freeing senior recruiters for high-value work and empowering offshore teams.Offshoring That Delivers: Success depends on structure, communication, and cultural alignment.Purpose Over Paychecks: Your “why” sustains you long after commissions fade.AI vs. Offshore Talent: AI enhances people—it doesn’t replace them.The Exit Playbook: If you’re considering equity, partnership, or leaving, plan both emotionally and strategically. Ready to rethink your recruiting business, team strategy, or personal definition of success? 🎧 Hit play, subscribe, and take notes—this is your roadmap to scaling smart, leading better, and finding meaning in your work. 👉 Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast for weekly actionable strategies. 👉 Connect with Benjamin Mena and Gregory Fischer on LinkedIn for more insights. 👉 Share this episode with your team and start conversations that move your business forward. Links & Sponsors 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM: https://recruitwithatlas.com ⚡ Free Trial – PeopleGPT: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d ⚡ Free Trial – Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter ⚡Free Trial of Pin: https://www.pin.com/ 📩 Subscribe for podcast updates: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/-LtafFz9z8A 🔗 Follow Gregory Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/offshoreisasuperpower/ 🌐 Host – Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ 💼 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ 📸 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/ Hit play, subscribe, and share—this is your moment to scale smarter, lead better, and truly thrive in recruiting.

Still just posting jobs on LinkedIn and hoping clients or candidates come to you? In a world where AI is changing recruiting fast, your personal brand and engaged network are your biggest competitive advantages. This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast goes beyond outdated tactics—host Benjamin Mena sits down with LinkedIn branding expert Alexis Albright Meschi to share the blueprint for building a brand that attracts business instead of chasing it. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Inside the Episode Recruiters are years behind other industries in marketing—and Alexis explains how to fix it. You’ll learn to craft human-centered content that rises above AI-generated noise, engage your ideal network, and create a magnetic brand that turns attention into revenue. As the founder of a marketing agency built for recruiters, Alexis reveals the proven strategies that help staffing firms grow through authentic branding and community. Imagine being the go-to recruiter in your niche—with inbound leads, referrals, and zero cold outreach. This episode delivers actionable, real-world insights for recruiters who want to future-proof their business on LinkedIn. Key Takeaways Brand First, Then Broadcast: Don’t just post—build a community. Reciprocity fuels engagement and trust.Human Over Automation: Share real stories and value-driven posts to stand out from AI “slop.”Optimize Your LinkedIn: Turn your profile into a sales page with a powerful banner, About section, featured content, and recommendations.Smart AI Use: Use ChatGPT and automation tools for efficiency but keep your voice authentic.From Connection to Client: Move relationships from friendly chats to paying clients—without being pushy. Why It Matters Your LinkedIn presence is your 24/7 recruiter brand. By mastering authenticity, storytelling, and engagement, you’ll attract both top candidates and ideal clients. It’s time to replace “post and pray” with a purposeful branding strategy that works long-term. Listen & Connect 🎧 Listen now and bring your notebook—these insights will redefine how you grow your network, relationships, and billings. 👉 Subscribe, share, and connect with Benjamin Mena and Alexis Albright Meschi on LinkedIn to start building your elite recruiter brand. Links & Sponsors 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM: https://recruitwithatlas.com 📩 Signup for podcast emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/9I6360FdX2c 🔗 Follow Alexis Albright Meschi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexis-albright-meschi-8b10a2243/ 🌐 Host – Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ 💼 Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/ 📸 Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/ Subscribe, listen, and join our community of elite recruiters—it’s your turn to thrive on LinkedIn and beyond!

Are you a seasoned recruiter wondering if it’s time to move on from agency life? Maybe you’re itching to branch out but feel stuck by golden handcuffs—or curious about starting your own firm but unsure where to begin. This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is your roadmap to clarity. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com Host Benjamin Mena sits down with Zack Cress, former agency leader and founder of Catalyst, who’s helped over a dozen recruiters launch successful firms. Zack breaks down exactly how to evaluate your next career move—whether it’s doubling down as a top biller, joining a boutique agency, or building your own recruiting business from scratch. Inside the Episode Get real-world insight into what it takes to transition from recruiter to entrepreneur. Zack shares: Climbing (and outgrowing) the corporate recruiting ladderThe real triggers behind deciding to leave a stable agency jobThe first steps to launching a recruiting firm—what to nail and what to avoid This episode dives deep into business development, back-office setup, compliance, and picking the right tech stack. Zack also gets candid about entrepreneurship’s pros and cons—what he wishes he’d known earlier and how to prepare for risk, finances, and family balance. Key Takeaways Career Clarity: Learn the signs it’s time to stay, switch, or leap into your own venture—and why comfort can stunt long-term growth.Launching a Firm: Nail the fundamentals—niching down, winning clients, and staying compliant while “building the plane mid-air.”Smart Tech Stack: You don’t need legacy agency tech; tools like ZoomInfo and Dripify can empower solo recruiters.Back Office & Partnerships: Avoid common legal, financial, and operational mistakes new founders make.Is It Worth It?: Zack gets real about the upside of owning your firm and the realities of risk, runway, and freedom. Feeling the itch to level up your recruiting career? Hit play now to learn how to know when it’s time to make your move. 👉 Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast for more industry insights. 👉 Connect with Benjamin Mena and Zack Cress on LinkedIn to expand your recruiting network. Sponsors & Links Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM: https://recruitwithatlas.com2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit: https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribeFollow Zack Cress: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zackcress/YouTube: Host – Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/ ⏩ Don’t just recruit—recruit smarter. Listen now, share with your team, and connect with us for a competitive edge in your recruiting journey.

Want to break into the million-dollar biller club—no matter your age or experience? In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Kent Depwe, who billed seven figures in his second full year as a recruiter—at just 25. If you’re ready for real talk on sales, mindset, business development, and using AI tools to smash your targets, this is the episode to accelerate your growth. 🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in a single, AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and uses AI to create polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on relationships, not data entry. Centralized outreach, reporting, and analytics keep you fast and efficient. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com 🚀 Sponsorship: Pin – AI Recruiting Assistant Pin is your 24/7 AI recruiting assistant for sourcing, outreach, interview scheduling, and resume screening. It scans 850M+ profiles, evaluates resumes with PhD-level precision, and engages candidates across email, LinkedIn, and SMS—plus collaboration and DEI tools. Start your free trial → https://www.pin.com/ 🚀 The Elite Recruiter Community Weekly roundtables, summit replays, The Billers’ Club, and a Split Board. Join for $49/month → https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community Inside the Episode Kent reveals what it really takes to thrive in modern recruiting. Whether you’re agency-side or internal TA, you’ll learn how to scale billings fast, win top clients, handle setbacks, and use AI platforms like ChatGPT and Apollo for a competitive edge. He shares frameworks, habits, and mental toughness that define top 1% recruiters—plus actionable advice to double or triple revenue through focus, mentorship, and client quality. You’ll discover how to: Pick the right environment and mentorship to fast-track learning.Turn tough markets into career-defining growth.Deliver white-glove service that creates referral clients.Harness AI tools for sourcing, BD, and market mapping.Structure your day for consistent peak performance. Top 5 Key Takeaways Mindset Wins: Great recruiters turn setbacks into fuel and never settle (00:09:56).Mentorship Fast-Tracks Success: Who you work for early on defines your career (00:11:06).AI = Force Multiplier: ChatGPT, Apollo, and LinkedIn Recruiter give you leverage old-school sourcing can’t (00:33:44).Quality Over Quantity: Stick with A-tier clients—one strong client can change everything (00:24:23).One Client, One Breakthrough: In recruiting, proximity to the right client equals life-changing success (00:55:10). Listen, Learn & Level Up Hungry for recruiter success stories and actionable growth advice? Hit play, subscribe, and share with your team. Connect with Benjamin and Kent to join their network of driven recruiting professionals. Resources & Links Pin – AI Recruiting Assistant: https://www.pin.com/Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM: https://recruitwithatlas.comThe Elite Recruiter Community: https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-communityFinish The Year Strong 2025 Summit: https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribeYouTube: https://youtu.be/85KAShS4-YoFollow Kent Depwe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kentdepwe/Host – Benjamin Mena, Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Struggling to scale your recruiting desk, close bigger deals, or turn your agency into a powerhouse? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is your playbook for becoming a $500k+ biller and doubling down on the exact tactics powering the fastest-growing remote firms today. Host Benjamin Mena sits down with Dante Nino, co-founder of TLO, to unpack the uncompromising frameworks and high-conversion business development strategies behind his team’s explosive growth (and their unstoppable recruiter mindset). If you want to make Q4 your best ever or simply operate at elite standards, don’t miss Dante’s systems, templates, and the proven deal box strategy that’s redefining recruiting success.  🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and creates polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on client relationships. It also centralizes outreach, reports, and analytics with speed and simplicity. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com  🚀 The Elite Recruiter Community Weekly roundtables, summit replays, The Billers’ Club, and a Split Board. Join for $49/month → https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community  Dante shares how his team cracked the "big biller code" in a fully remote structure, building a culture anchored in fierce competitiveness, unmatched subject-matter expertise, and relentless consistency. From optimizing LinkedIn profiles for client magnetism, to mastering AI recruiting tools like Loxo and Atlas, to deploying 7-step BD frameworks and scalable recruitment automations—this episode is packed with step-by-step playbooks for recruiters and agency owners craving huge results.   Picture yourself: Breaking down your annual billing goals into actionable, daily metrics.Creating a laser-focused "Recruiter Deal Box" that guarantees client relevancy and shortens your sales cycle.Leveraging AI and automation (think Atlas 2.0, Loxo, LinkedIn alerts, custom dashboards) so you spend 80% less time on admin and 10x your candidate flow.Converting more job posts—including those without advertised openings—into exclusive, long-term client partnerships.Nurturing relationships that turn 1-time wins into million-dollar accounts, all while building a recruiter brand your market can’t ignore.   Key Takeaways: Deal Box Domination: Nail down your niche, client ICP, and candidate profiles for repeatable 6-figure results.Systemized BD & Outbound: Use cold outreach, pro-market candidates, and multi-touch sales processes—consistently.Client Magnetism: Optimize your LinkedIn and outbound campaigns to stand out, become the subject-matter expert, and drive exclusive inbound business.AI Recruiting Tech Stack: Integrate platforms like Atlas, Loxo, LinkedIn, and ZoomInfo—but don’t forget, relationships trump tech.Scaling the Right Way: Invest in high-value tools, but double down on foundational work: hard calls, urgent follow-ups, and next-level client care. 🔥 Ready to turn today’s insights into deals on your desk? Listen now to discover Dante Nino’s step-by-step blueprints, start building your $500k+ pipeline, and fuel your talent acquisition growth with proven systems.  Sponsors & Links Atlas – https://recruitwithatlas.com🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/Free Trial – Juicebox: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912dSignup for podcast emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribeYouTube: https://youtu.be/rhkFAcXY3KEFollow Dante Nino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dante-nino/Host Benjamin Mena – http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/

Are you ready to break past your recruiting plateau and become a true recruiting leader? In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry powerhouse Brent Orsuga to share strategies, mindset shifts, and tactical moves top recruiters need to crush it in 2025. If seven-figure years and becoming a recruiter of influence are on your vision board, this is required listening.   🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/   🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM in one AI-powered platform. It automates tagging and admin, syncs resumes and emails, and creates polished profiles and reports—so you can focus on client relationships. It also centralizes outreach, reports, and analytics with speed and simplicity. Try it free or book a demo → https://recruitwithatlas.com   🚀 The Elite Recruiter Community Weekly roundtables, summit replays, The Billers’ Club, and a Split Board. Join for $49/month → https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community   Inside the Episode Brent pulls back the curtain on what it takes to elevate from transactional to transformational. From AI recruiting tools and LinkedIn brand-building to business development and authority in your niche, his firsthand experience as a $2M+ biller delivers a masterclass in modern recruiting. He reveals: Why demand for sharp recruiters is peaking—clients want bullseye hires more than ever.The difference between being an “influencer” and a true “person of influence.”How to be so market-savvy that companies seek your advice and candidates trust you implicitly. This isn’t about quick wins—it’s the playbook for building a legacy reputation, commanding top fees, and outpacing your competition.     Key Takeaways Elevate Your Brand: Focus on high-value market insights, compensation data, and intel—not likes.Be the Trusted Advisor: Know your niche, attend industry events, and become the SME companies rely on.Pipeline of A-Players: Your brand equals your candidates—always show “nines and tens.”Play the Long Game: Build authentic relationships, provide ongoing value, and leave contacts better.Adopt AI Recruiting Tools: Platforms like Atlas 2.0 eliminate admin, accelerate shortlists, and free time for growth.   Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your career. 🎧 Listen now, subscribe, leave a review, and connect with Benjamin and Brent on LinkedIn for more recruiting strategies and industry leadership.   Sponsors & Links Atlas – https://recruitwithatlas.com🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – https://finish-strong-2025.heysummit.com/Free Trial – PeopleGPT: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912dSignup for podcast emails: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribeYouTube: https://youtu.be/la109aH-6fwFollow Brent Orsuga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/topfreightrecruiter/Host Benjamin Mena – http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/ Ready to crush 2025? Hit play, subscribe, and let’s go!