How To Make Your First $11k Placement In Recruitment, Even In A Pandemic!

Well, obviously congratulations first of all on doing your deal. Well done.

Thanks, man.

Really pleased for you, Gene, because you've been one of the first members of the program. So it's great, like seeing your journey all the way from start to where you are now. And I think it's been a great example of someone that's got no recruitment experience or industry experience, set up a market whilst still having another job. Um, it's great that you've actually proven that, like, it's achievable, which is. Which is outstanding. Welcome everybody, to today's interview. So today I've got a very special guest. Gene. And Gene has been in the recruiter accelerator program with myself. And Gene's going to share his journey in order for how he actually started in the program and started his own recruitment business with no recruitment experience at all, no industry experience, and how he achieved his first placement and how he's grown his agency. So welcome, Gene.

Thanks. Thanks, James.

So first of all, do you want to just tell everyone, like, where you're based and what your agency does?

I'm based in Boston, Massachusetts, and I specialize in the finance and accounting market.

Awesome. So in terms of, like, before you joined, like, what was it that you used to do, Gene, as a profession?

So I have my own business. In terms of real estate business, what I do is I have a management home improvement business. And one of my clients, how I got into the business, one of my biggest clients was a staffing agency. And I grew with the firm and I noticed that they were growing like crazy, and, you know, they had a lot of different locations. And I was just really able to see, you know, from another side what the business was doing. So I was very curious about, what are these guys actually doing? What is the staffing business all about? I really didn't have any understanding about what it was. So I did a little bit of research. And the more and more I researched about the slashing, the staffing, slash, recruiting business, I got really intrigued and I learned more and more and I said, man, I can do this. And I said, you know, I'm gonna do this business. And I did more and more research. It was very hard to find research about, you know, the actual business. But then I came across James on YouTube and I said, man, this guy, he's got what it takes. You know, I'm a business owner, so I have a business mind. And I saw a lot of good qualities in James in his videos in terms of how he was approaching, you know, the staffing industry. And just A lot of the things that were that he was talking about. So I said I got to reach out to him and see if I can work with this guy because he's the real deal.

Awesome. So for people that are watching Gene, that are looking to start their own recruitment agency, what was it that like prompted you to start up and what information did you get online for free? And what did you feel was actually missing in terms of like trying to start up without like maybe getting a mentor program?

Yeah, well, it was very hard just to get any of the basic information in regards to how a recruiting agency actually works in terms of, you know, the business structure. I just seems, it just seemed like it was very cloudy in regards to the type of information needed, you know. No, no, really, no really good books. There was nothing really online. If you go online for like other types of businesses, you can easily find out how, you know, a business works. But to me, the staffing industry was really cloudy and I wanted to clear it up in my mind because I know that, I know that there was a lot of profitability, profitability there. And so I just went ahead and reached out to you and you cleared a lot of stuff up with me. On our first meeting. I decided to join because it sounded like you definitely had what it took to get to where I wanted to be.

Awesome. So like, what actual reservations did you have before joining?

Well, you know, obviously cost is one, but I knew that in order for me to improve myself and get to where I needed to be, I needed to make the investment, you know, and I was willing to do that, make, to make an investment in myself. Because the key to the game is you got to believe in yourself. Right. In order to get to where you need to be. And you know, you got to make investments in yourself in order to grow and to, you know, just, just improve your vision.

Yeah. And I think like most people don't actually take action and invest in themselves, Gene, and expect different results. And like one of the key things that even just said that you invested in yourself, it wasn't a cost, it was an investment in exactly your knowledge to grow and evolve as a person and in business.

Yeah, like I'm from the real estate background, you know, my, my background's in real estate and it's all about, you know, making improvements. Right. Investing in something that's going to appreciate in value and obviously investing in your course. It was like a no brainer for me, you know. You know, one of the things that you need is, you know, whoever you're partnering or you're investing with is someone who knows the business, you're confident with their leadership skills. And I felt like you definitely knew the business. I was confident with your leadership skills in terms of how you approach me and everything that I saw online. And I said, you know, speaking with you, you were the real deal. I said, we got it, we got to do this, we got to do this, we got to make it happen, you know, awesome.

So talk me through. Like you started the program and you sort of in the wilderness stage because you're learning a lot of different pieces and the strategies and the techniques that I teach. So what was that like, first part of the journey like? Because obviously where we'll get to where you are now and this you've had. But what was it like at the start for Eugene?

The start was, you know, I was very excited to start with you. You know, we had a one on one meeting and we just discussed, you know, just some basics in regards to where I wanted to go with the business, what you know, you know, where I saw myself and just to get the ball running, you know, a lot of research, a lot of grinding. But then it was literally right before the pandemic hit, right? So right after we started the pandemic hit and all hell broke loose. So it was a tough phase because I had to learn a lot. So not only was the pandemic going, but I had to learn all the skills in regards to what the heck recruitment is, how to get the business set up, et cetera, and start to attract clients. So yes, it was a very up and down learning curve, but I knew at the end of the day that I was going to get there with your help. I knew I was going to get there. And again, it's all about your mindset, it's all about your belief and it's all about making sure you, you just put in the work. So I knew I was going to get there. Even though we've been through so much of, you know, crazy times right now in regards to all of the stuff that was, you know, happening day after day, month after month, there was always something going on. So trying to get through all of that really took a lot of patience. Sometimes it was nerve wracking. But you just gotta, you know, just be persistent and that's what, you know, what I've done, it's been a roller coaster, but I'm glad I've done every single minute of it. And right now I'm stronger because of it.

Yeah. So tell everyone like where you are. Now, so I know you've got quite a big win to share. Like, what would you say the two to three biggest wins were being in the recruiter accelerator program?

Well, number one is learning from one of the best in the game, right? So, you know, having a, having a mentor like yourself in giving me like just the overall background of the industry, how to attack it and giving me, you know, a lot of the motivation that I need to actually, you know, go through all the hurdles. Because like, like you said, I didn't have any recruitment experience, I didn't have any industry experience. I was going in cold turkey. So I'm, you know, I'm an ideal situation of a testament to how this system works. Because if someone like me can go in cold turkey in the middle of a pandemic with no experience and to attract a client, go through the process, get the client and come out with a big win and come out with a lot of momentum afterwards, that's just a testament to the program. So that's kind of where I'm at right now. I had a good win, I got my first deal and I'm literally going to be making some. I got a couple of appointments today actually for potential other customers. So I'm in a good situation right now. I see a bright future ahead of me and the next year is going to be, you know, key. I see a lot of progress, I see a lot of opportunity. And this business, you can't lose. It's one of the biggest industries in the world. I think it's kind of a quantity quiet kept secret. But if you stay determined and if you have the right structure behind you. One of the things that I wanted to talk about was, you know, the best businesses in the world have a few things behind them, right? A lot of them are technologically advanced, right? That's one. A lot of them have good management, slash leadership, that's two. And a lot of them have good marketing behind them in terms of how they're accessing their customers, how they're targeting their customers. Well, this program has all three. You're a perfect example of that, James, because technology is key for you and leadership is key for you and marketing is key for you. And this is what you're teaching in the program. Look at Apple, look at Amazon. They're the biggest companies in the world and they have those corporations qualities, right? And not only are they big right now in this pandemic, but they're actually thriving in this pandemic. So companies that can really come to terms with those Three things are going to be the leaders in the industries. And with your system, you're definitely going to have people be leaders in the industry.

Yeah. And I think, like, one of the key things that you've probably seen is we build systems, we build automation, we build virtual. Like you've got assets in the business that you can really build momentum on now. So we've started to see on your journey, Gene, especially putting the hard work. And initially it's got the little flywheel effect of all your many flywheels working for you.

For sure, for sure. Everything is starting to come. Come together piece by piece. Kind of like a transformer. Right. You know, like there's a lot of different moving parts, but as you. If you put them together and you stay focused and determined to make sure that they're all working smoothly, you're doing your part as a commander of the whole process and you're putting the time in, then you're going to come out a winner for sure. And you're going to beat your competitors because there's nobody else doing it like this.

So well done on your first deal and actual placement, Gene. So I know the candidates about to start in a couple of weeks. What was the actual value of that placement?

Oh, 11,700 bucks.

Wow.

So, yeah, it was pretty sweet.

Yeah. So does that have an impact on your future now in terms of going to this full time?

Oh, yeah. I mean, I've already transitioned from my business into really putting, you know, my efforts into this business, because like I said, even though I had a successful business, I know that this, this particular business and then this industry is going to take. Take me even further, maybe 100 times further than where I was before. So I'm glad I made the investment. And, you know, this is just proves itself to me every day. Every day I get more confident in regards to where I'm going, where I'm going to be, and I'm just motivated to get to where I need to be.

So what are your plans for the next 12 months? Where do you want to get this business to.

The next 12 months? You know, I want to just make sure that it's just working smooth as a whistle. I'm getting a lot of income and I'm really thinking about starting to grow the team, you know, by the end of another year coming up. So starting to grow the team, you know, that's where I want to be, expanding the business.

So what sort of revenue do you want to hit in the next 12 months?

I want to be at least at 150,000 at least, you know, the next 12 months. Yeah.

Do you see that's achievable with the systems and everything?

Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah, Yeah. I don't. I don't think that's a far reach. I don't think that's a far reach.

Brilliant. So if anyone's got any reservations around, like, joining the program, what would you say to them?

Well, what I would say is believe in yourself. That's number one. And if you believe in yourself, you should invest in yourself. And based off of everything you've seen online and if they get a chance to speak to you, make a. Make a good decision. Because not often do you come across people that are really masters of their game. So I strongly believe that you're a master of your game, and that's why I joined you. So if you want to invest in yourself, make the commitment in this particular program, if you want to invest in the staffing business, recruiting business, go for this program. Because I told you before, the companies that are going to win today and in the future are going to have technology, they're going to have good leadership, and they're going to have good marketing behind them. And if you look at anything that you're doing, James, obviously you have all those three with your program and what you're currently doing in your business.

Awesome. And what would you say around having the group Q and A calls with myself every week and the rest of the team? So having a peer group, did you find that support structure really help propel you and give you the confidence to keep digging at it and making sure you got the results?

There's so many different value points with your program, and those three things that I mentioned are only just the top tip of the iceberg. So having a group, a peer group with you leading the peer group and guiding us through different questions each week and helping us pinpoint where we need to be is invaluable. Okay. The mindset behind it, in terms of making sure we have a profitable business, which you really understand very well. In terms of, okay, yes, we have systems in place. Yes, we have marketing. But we, we need to. At the end of the day, we. We have to understand how to make this business profitable. Right. And that's what you bring to the table from day one. Okay. Focusing. Making sure that everyone's focused on not spending money on stupid tasks. Right. And making sure every dollar counts. And the other guidance that comes with naturally in recruiting, in terms of the deals and the customers and all that, each week, everyone has their own sort of lists that they need to address. We get those things addressed and everyone learns from each other. So that is probably one of the biggest values that you'll, you'll ever get in regards to the program for sure.

Awesome. Gene. Well, listen, I'm really looking forward to watching the rest of your journey and I think it's been a fantastic opening insight for people that maybe haven't even got recruitment experience that it is possible to learn a completely new like job and profession.

Yes.

And in a new market because we never touched on the fact of like your niche is finance.

Yeah, well, yeah, yeah. Finance, yeah. I have no experience in the finance sector except for the fact that I've been in business obviously. You know, I have a lot of good common sense in regards to what that takes, but I don't have a special niche in regards of finance. So. So I came in cold on recruiting, I came on code on the finance industry. So I've been learning everything in the middle of a pandemic. So if you can do it with all those things, you gotta ask yourself if you can make it now within now in the next six months, this is going to be the testament. Because if you can make it now, this is probably going to be the worst time you'll ever see in business. Right. So if you get past this, Humphrey, is nothing going to be worse than this? Right. So you got to just keep that mindset in the next six months. After that things are going to get a lot more gravy for you. So you just got to keep a lot of those factors in mind.

Awesome. Would you recommend like if people are losing jobs or get made redundant and want to try a different profession and want to own a business themselves, what would you say to those type of people? Would a recruitment agency be the type of thing that they should set up?

It's a no brainer, right? Because again the, the profits are huge, the investment level is low and it's very easy to get in the business. Right. So it's, it's almost similar to a portion of my old business in regards to like say a handyman. Right. There's, it's very easy to become a handyman. Right. But the profit levels are not that great if you, you know, there's a lot of competition, right. You can get quick to market, there's a lot of competition, but it doesn't require a lot of capital. Startup oppose that to this business where you can get quick to market very quickly. The profits are huge and exponential and the business is going to be around forever.

Right.

So staffing industry is not going anywhere. People are always going to need this service. The key is there's a lot of people going to be coming into the staffing industry. But the key is how do you differentiate yourself? How do you differentiate yourself? So I differentiated myself in the home improvement business. So now I'm going to differentiate myself in this business with your system because you have a unique system that's going to dominate the competition. Right. In regards to all of these different factors that we've been discussing. So the answer is, hell yeah, get into this business. Make sure you have a competitive advantage with your system. You do. So get into the, get into the business. There's low startup costs, this major potential and I think it's, it's a no brainer.

Well, listen, thank you very much for spending the time today. I hope the viewers and listeners really enjoyed Jean's journey so far. I'm sure we'll do a sequel to this as well, Gene, in the next up and coming months once we get to the six figures. And thank you again. And for anyone listening, stay tuned. If you're interested in joining Recruiter Accelerator, if you visit the website and the links below and book in a call and a survey and then we can see if we have space to enter you into the program and hopefully share a similar story like Gene did in doing his first deal of over $11,000. And yeah, I'll catch you all soon. So thanks again, Gene.

Thanks.