1111: Putting HUMANITY into recruiting and matching the RIGHT candidates with the right roles w/ Jacqueline De Leon

Hiring the right talent is one of the most challenging aspects of running a business, and today’s guest is here to help you master it. Jacqueline De Leon, founder of Empire Staffing Network, shares how she’s transforming the recruitment industry by prioritizing human connections, culture fit, and a strategic hiring process. From struggling to place her first candidate to building a successful boutique recruitment firm, Jacky's entrepreneurial journey is packed with lessons on resilience, relationship-building, and leveraging technology for smarter hiring.

If you’ve ever struggled with finding the right people, making hiring decisions, or ensuring long-term employee success, this episode is a must-listen!

💡 What You'll Take Away for YOUR Business

🚀 Why most business owners fail at hiring—and how to do it right
🔎 The secret to finding top talent (beyond job postings)
🤖 How AI and technology are transforming recruitment (and what tools you should be using)
💬 How to conduct interviews that predict job success (and spot red flags early)
👥 Why culture fit matters more than skills—and how to evaluate it
💡 The importance of branding when hiring top-tier employees
✅ How to set up new hires for success with structured onboarding

📝 About Jacqueline De Leon

Jacky De Leon is the founder of Empire Staffing Network, a values-driven boutique recruitment firm specializing in direct hire placements. With a passion for humanizing recruitment, Jacky leverages a personalized and empathetic approach to connect businesses with exceptional talent. As a Latina entrepreneur, she is dedicated to creating opportunities while fostering meaningful relationships that transform careers and companies alike.

🎯 Jackie’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs

“Just start. Don’t overthink the details—your business name, your LLC, or the perfect plan. Passion and commitment will take you further than perfection.”

Key Takeaways from Her Advice:
✔ Action beats analysis—start before you’re ready
✔ Be willing to pivot and learn as you go
✔ Passion fuels success—your enthusiasm attracts the right people

📢 Memorable Quotes

"Recruiting is both an art and a science. The right hire isn’t just about skills—it’s about culture, alignment, and fit." – Jacqueline De Leon

"Your business needs to be attractive to top talent. If your company doesn’t stand out, the best candidates won’t take the job." – Jacqueline De Leon

"Hiring is an investment, not an expense. The right person can transform your company, while the wrong hire will cost you time and money." – Jacqueline De Leon

💡 Actionable Takeaways

✅ Stop relying only on job boards—use proactive outreach to find top talent
✅ Invest in your company’s branding to attract high-quality candidates
✅ Develop a structured hiring process that goes beyond gut instinct
✅ Use AI tools to optimize your recruitment, but never lose the human touch
✅ Build an onboarding plan that sets new hires up for long-term success

🔗 Links & Resources

• Visit Empire Staffing Network’s Website
• Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn
• Follow Empire Staffing Network on LinkedIn