The Resilient Recruiter How to Build $1.6M in 3 Years Working Retained-Only
Why do some recruiters struggle to break $300K while others hit seven figures in their third year? My guest, Tito Caceres, spotted a $160 billion industry that most recruiters have never even thought about. And he built a thriving business there with nothing but a credit card and relentless hustle.
Tito grew up in his family's landscaping business and swore he'd never work in that industry. Ironically, that's exactly where he found his million-dollar niche. After building a career in sales and recruitment, he recognized an opportunity that others had completely missed.
In 2021, he launched Bloom Talent Solutions and went all-in. First year? $600K in billings working solo with no agency pedigree. This year, he's on pace for $1.6 million.
In this episode, you'll hear how Tito scaled fast by going retained-only, building a transparency system that keeps clients loyal, and creating new income sources beyond placement fees. You'll also hear why he fired clients to achieve clarity, how he packages candidates better than any resume ever could, and what it really takes to dominate a niche market. If you've ever wondered how far focus and follow-through can take a solo recruiter, this is your playbook.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:
How Tito went from despising the landscaping industry to building a million-dollar recruiting business in it
First year billings: $600K working solo with no pedigree
Why Tito walked away from contingent work in year two (and never looked back)
The transparency system that keeps clients coming back: weekly reports, bi-weekly meetings, and QBRs
Performance sheets: the mandatory tool that packages candidates better than any resume
How Tito built AI-driven recruiting systems that put him miles ahead of other recruiters
The subscription model that turns relationships into reliable income before placement fees even come in
Hiring misfires, family challenges, and the painful lessons that led to clarity
Revenue share partnerships with industry consultants that generate referrals on autopilot
CONNECT WITH TITO CACERES:
Bloom Talent Solutions: http://getbloomtalent.com
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
CONNECT WITH MARK WHITBY: Get your FREE 30-minute strategy call: https://www.recruitmentcoach.com/strategy-session/
Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwhitby/
Mark on Twitter: https://twitter.com/markwhitby
Mark on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRecruitmentCoach/
Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recruitmentcoach/
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This episode is a must-listen if you're ready to scale a high-profit, low-overhead search firm.