The Elite Recruiter Podcast

Are you struggling with setbacks in your recruiting career and searching for the ultimate bounce-back strategy? In this can’t-miss episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, discover how Cathy Stewart—who once faced the brink of burnout and failure—rebuilt her confidence, pipeline, and reputation to soar as one of America’s top-billing executive recruiters. Tune in and learn how you, too, can turn professional droughts into record-breaking recruiting success.   Host Benjamin Menna sits down with Cathy Stewart, a celebrated member of the Pinnacle Society and an expert in executive recruiting for the senior living space. Cathy’s journey is raw, relatable, and incredibly motivating—she shares in detail how she lost her two biggest clients almost overnight and was left with no job orders on the calendar. Instead of giving in, Cathy doubled down, refined her process, and developed a bulletproof playbook for resilience and growth. In this episode, you’ll uncover: The critical turning points that reshaped Cathy’s mindset and recruiting methodologyDaily “non-negotiables” and habits that fueled her recovery and consistent performanceHow DISC personality profiling helped her instantly build rapport with tough clients and candidatesPractical ways to navigate hiring slowdowns, fall-offs, and challenging markets with positivity and accountability   Envision transforming your toughest setbacks into launchpads for your best years in agency or executive recruiting. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned recruiter aiming for the next level, Cathy’s actionable playbook delivers everything you need: How rebuilding her desk “two candidates a day” ignited a full pipeline from scratchMastering metrics, habits, and self-accountability that drive elite-level billingsLeveraging gratitude and mindset shifts to stay motivated, consistent, and connectedBuilding a reputation for placements that last, and client partnerships that endure   Ready to shift from survival mode to thriving in any recruiting market? 👉 Listen now to “From Rock Bottom to Top Biller: Cathy Stewart’s Playbook for Elite Recruiting Success.” Draw inspiration from Cathy’s true story and practical tactics—then put her strategies to work in your own recruiting desk. Remember, top billers aren’t just made in good times—they’re forged in adversity. Subscribe to The Elite Recruiter Podcast for more recruiting best practices, or connect with Cathy Stewart on LinkedIn to continue learning from a true industry leader. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to Cathy Stewart’s story [05:00] Building resilience: Learning from setbacks [09:30] The “two candidate a day” system [15:00] Developing client relationships in a recruitment niche [22:00] Mindset, accountability, and staying positive [30:00] Habits of consistent top billers [40:00] Favorite resources & closing advice Listen and transform your recruiting results—no matter where you’re starting from! This episode was sponsored by Pin - Pin, your 24/7Recruiting Assistant https://www.pin.com/   AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/ Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/   Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe  YouTube: https://youtu.be/NPYqWeab9AI  Follow Cathy Stewart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-stewart-338b871a/   With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/  Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/  Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Are you a recruiter wondering how to bounce back after a layoff and build a thriving solo business in today’s competitive market? In this episode of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Liam Haghighat, a recruiter who transformed career adversity into entrepreneurial success by launching a profitable solo and fractional recruiting business. If you’re facing uncertainty due to layoffs or simply dreaming about starting your own recruiting consultancy, this episode speaks directly to your challenges and aspirations. With thousands of recruiters finding themselves in flux amidst volatile hiring trends and AI-driven disruption, knowing how to secure income, attract clients, and stand out is not just desirable—it’s essential. Listen in to discover how you can: Craft an in-demand value proposition that sets you apart in the crowded recruiting landscape, using Liam’s battle-tested strategies for identifying your niche and target clients.Build a resilient business model from day one by leveraging fractional recruiting: why early-stage startups want your help, how to price your services, and how the flexible subscription/retainer model delivers stability in unpredictable times.Harness technology and content marketing for rapid client acquisition—explore the practical tools and sales processes that enabled Liam (an introvert!) to win business, boost credibility, and nurture a steady flow of inbound leads. Whether you’re launching a new venture, thinking about going solo, or just looking for smarter ways to future-proof your recruiting career, this conversation is loaded with actionable tips, tech hacks, and confidence-building advice to help you lay a strong foundation—financially and professionally.  Stop scrolling and hit play NOW to get the inspiration, clarity, and real-world know-how you need to start your own successful solo or fractional recruiting journey today!  AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/ Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/ Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter  Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe  YouTube: https://youtu.be/wFgyz620jLM  Follow Liam Haghighat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamhaghighat/ With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/  Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/  Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Join Mike Mello, a former Navy member turned $100M staffing producer, as he shares his journey and insights into the future of recruitment. He addresses fears around AI, offering strategies to leverage automation without losing the human touch. Mello emphasizes proactive outreach as a key to success, and discusses the pivotal role of social media in modern staffing. Discover the foundational elements of Revenue Operations and books that foster personal growth, providing a comprehensive playbook for today's recruiters.

Rich Bradley, a seasoned recruiter with 43 years in the IT industry, shares his inspirational journey battling cancer while maintaining his top-tier performance. He discusses practical strategies that helped him sustain his business amidst health challenges, emphasizing the importance of positivity and strong support systems. Rich also highlights the critical role of phone communication in recruitment and the necessity of metrics and accountability for success. His story serves as a powerful reminder of resilience, mentorship, and the determination needed to overcome adversity.

Are you ready to defy the downturn and grow your recruiting business while the rest of the industry struggles? With the staffing and recruiting world facing its toughest challenges in years, many agencies are treading water or worse—shrinking. But what if you could unlock tactics and mindset shifts to not just survive, but thrive when everyone else is falling behind? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast dives deep into exactly that, bringing you proven strategies from Steven Farrell—an executive who has generated tens of millions in staffing revenue, even as the industry contracts. This episode is brought to you by ASCEN - https://www.ascen.com/  If you’re a recruiter or staffing leader, you know the pain: rising client demands, declining job orders, and the pressure to hit targets with fewer resources. The stakes have never been higher, but the opportunity for bold, out-of-the-box growth is real—if you know where to look. Steven shares how to align your sales, marketing, and operations for maximum impact, turn one-off clients into long-term partners, and build true work-life harmony amid relentless change.   By listening, you’ll discover: How to niche down and zero in on ideal customers—so you work smarter, not harder, even in a tough market.Creative, actionable recruiting tactics—from viral virtual job fairs to “shock and awe” sales kits—that break through the noise and deliver real results.The step-by-step blueprint to aligning sales, ops, and marketing as a seamless, frictionless team, powering consistent revenue growth no matter the industry climate.   Looking for a genuine edge to crush your goals in 2025? Hit play now to learn how the best in staffing are winning when everyone else is struggling—you don’t want to miss these game-changing insights! This episode is brought to you by ASCEN, the modern, all-in-one Employer of Record (EOR) and payroll solution built specifically for staffing firms. ASCEN streamlines your entire back-office—from payroll and compliance to onboarding and invoicing—so you can focus on placing top talent and scaling your recruiting business. Learn more at https://www.ascen.com/  AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/ Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/ Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe  YouTube: https://youtu.be/mOE2tM7HIJQ   Follow Steven Farrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farrellsteven/  With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/  Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/  Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Kelli Schutrop, a marketing and sales expert in staffing, reveals how to thrive in the recruiting industry by leveraging LinkedIn for inbound leads. She shares strategies for building a genuine personal brand that resonates without feeling forced. The conversation highlights the importance of thought leadership and community engagement in attracting clients. Kelli also explores the role of AI, emphasizing its use for efficiency while maintaining authenticity in communication. Packed with actionable tips, this discussion is a must-listen for modern recruiters.

Kelly (Dockrell) Brown, founder of a successful recruiting agency and military spouse, shares her inspiring journey from Miami to Hawaii, highlighting her leap of faith into entrepreneurship. She discusses how she transformed challenges into opportunities, offering practical strategies for building a thriving recruiting agency while juggling life changes. Kelly emphasizes the importance of resilience, personal branding, and mentorship, especially for military spouses seeking financial independence and a sense of identity.

Roheel Ahmad, co-founder of Full Size Barns and AI innovator, shares his remarkable journey from a basement startup to a $100 million powerhouse. He reveals game-changing strategies like equity-sharing and innovative employee development that foster growth. Ahmad explains how AI is revolutionizing recruiting, freeing up time for meaningful relationships. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in business goals and shares insights on navigating international markets, all while blending cutting-edge technology with personal connection.

Are you ready to discover how a group of determined women transformed a living room startup into a $6 million legal recruiting powerhouse — all during a global crisis?  In this episode of the Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Aida C. Rodriguez, the founder of Ascension Global Staffing and Executive Search. Together, they unpack how building a winning team, especially in the high-stakes world of legal recruiting, can lead to extraordinary business growth—even when starting with just an Excel sheet and a lot of perseverance. If you’re a recruiter, entrepreneur, or leader with dreams of scaling up, this episode will show you what’s possible, even in the face of uncertainty. As the recruiting landscape becomes more competitive, many agency owners and aspiring firm-builders struggle to stand out, pivot in difficult markets, and keep their teams motivated. The journey of Aida and her all-women team tackles this head-on, providing real-world solutions to the challenges of launching and growing a successful recruiting firm from the ground up—especially when resources are limited and the market is in flux. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights, including: Proven strategies for launching and scaling a recruiting business during tough economic times, starting with minimal resources.Building and leading highly motivated, diverse teams that thrive on healthy competition, camaraderie, and shared dreams.The power of adaptability—how to pivot your business development, embrace technology and automation, and never let perfectionism stop your progress.   If you’re looking for a dose of inspiration mixed with practical guidance to fuel your recruiting ambitions, hit play now and see how you can turn your own “brunch crew” into a thriving placement empire!  AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/ Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/ Free Trial of PeopleGPT and its AI Agents: https://juicebox.ai/?via=b6912d Free Trial of Talin AI: https://app.talin.ai/signup?via=recruiter   Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe  YouTube: Follow Aida C. Rodriguez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidacrodriguezascension/    With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/  Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/  Benjamin Mena Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benlmena/

Jonathan Z. Cohen, the Associate General Counsel at PMI Technologies and host of the Inside the Inspired podcast, shares insights on resilience in the recruiting industry. He discusses how to break down large goals into manageable steps to combat burnout and foster growth. Cohen emphasizes the power of self-narratives, linking personal stories to transforming imposter syndrome into confidence. Listeners will also discover stress management techniques, turning setbacks into stepping stones for a fulfilling career.