The Recruitment Mentors Podcast Realities of Startup Life: Lessons Learned from a £500K First Year with Emma & Louise, Esto Search
Mar 17, 2025
Emma Lowman and Louise Garrison, co-founders of Esto Search, delve into their impressive £500k first-year journey in tech sales recruitment. They discuss the thrill and challenges of building an authentic brand while navigating emotional highs and lows. The duo highlights the importance of diversity and personal branding in recruitment, emphasizing genuine client relationships over mere skill matching. They also share valuable insights on time management, self-care, and the critical role of financial partnerships to enhance growth and well-being.
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Brand Origin
- Emma and Louise spent considerable time finding a name that reflects their values.
- Their first placement came from a video about hiring females, highlighting the importance of personal branding.
Values-Driven Branding
- Focus on what you want to be known for, not just a catchy name.
- Let your values drive your brand and business decisions.
Self-Funding and First Deal
- Emma and Louise self-funded Esto Search with £5,000 each.
- They secured their first paid placement in March, celebrating with a trip to Dubai.