How Zou Went From 0 Clients To 6 In Her First 6 Weeks!

Hi, ladies and gentlemen, James Blackwell here. And today I've got a very special guest that I'm interviewing and it's actually one of my members of the recruit accelerator program. And welcome, Sabita. So if you wouldn't mind introducing yourself and your business and what is your niche?

Yes, well, thank you for inviting me. And my niche is multilingual. So I help companies with multilingual sales and support agents or account managers in the Netherlands. And yeah, I'm based in Barcelona so I think I will also acquire a few more clients in Spain, but for now I'm focused on the Netherlands.

Yeah. Because I think, like, I know obviously with everything that's happened in the world, at the moment you live in Barcelona, but at the minute you're still in the Netherlands until you can travel again.

Yeah, yeah, that's true. So this Friday I'm going back hopefully and then I will be based in Barcelona again.

Awesome. So Azul, I think like the first thing is going to be just to tell all of the viewers, like, how did you actually get started in recruitment?

How I got started in recruitment. A few years ago I started at a very big agency and that was my first experience with recruitment and it was really funny because they were like only using old fashioned techniques. So for example, my colleagues did not even have LinkedIn and I was like really obsessed by recruitment. So yeah, I was like always. Yeah. I don't know, like watching YouTube tutorials, like how I could be like the best recruiter but at an agency. It's like really so different than when you work, for example, for an executive search firm. So after this agency I switched to an executive search firm and, and then after that experience I was about to start an agency with someone else in engineering and after that experience I decided to start my own agency.

Yeah, good for you. So how many years experience do you have as a recruiter?

As a recruiter, almost five, I think. Yeah. Five years experience.

Cool. Have you always been like entrepreneurial and want to start your own business or did this just.

Well, when I was younger I was like always having these businesses. So I was for example. Yeah. Buying candy at the candy shop and then I was like reselling it at school. But not. I never really had like a real, real business. Like I always had like these little businesses when I was younger. Um, but I think in one way I always, Yeah, I think I always had this entrepreneurial mindset because in my first job I was responsible for running my own business unit and I tripled the turnover by myself. Yeah. Because I was like using new techniques all the time. So in that way, yes. But yeah.

Awesome. So what if you remember back when you first started your agency, which was like a few months ago now, like, what was that situation like? Like how. Don't. Like how did you feel at that time?

How I felt at that time? I think mixed feelings because on one hand I was like, yeah, I already have so much experience in recruitment so I'm pretty sure that I can start my own agency as well. But it's so different. Like you cannot compare, like being employed as a recruiter or like really starting your own business. So I think mixed feelings because on one hand, yeah, I also had the feeling that I was like a bit stuck and especially like with the current events. So. Yeah, yeah, really mixed feelings between. I think if you're already in recruitment, then you maybe think that you can try to figure out everything by yourself or I think in general if you start a business, you think like, oh, I can, yeah, figure out everything by myself. But yeah, I think if you want to be like a top performer, then you should always like have a mentor and train and be with like minded people. So that's why I, yeah, I joined program.

Cool. So talk me through, like when we first met, what were your, what was the key challenge for you? Like what, what sort of problems did you have?

Yeah, so my biggest problem was actually because I started right before the current event. So my biggest problem was actually the client. Yeah. To acquire new clients. And I also think the mindset because. Especially with the current events. Yeah, I don't know, I really had the feeling that maybe it was not the right timing anymore to continue with my business. So that was, yeah, that was actually my biggest struggle. And yeah, yeah, yeah, I think that's.

Most business owners that start in recruitment, they struggle with the client acquisition side and really defining their niche in terms of how they build it out and how they structure things, which is probably one of the key areas. And what would you say, like, in terms of like you probably two to three biggest wins have been since you joined the program?

Well, my biggest win is, well, I had like six new clients in six weeks and also a new hiring and one really big account client. And yeah, I think another win is really the mindset because this is also the reason why I joined the program because yeah, it's also all about the mindset. And yeah, I think that's like my, my biggest win because yeah, we really learn a lot about the way you should think. And yeah, for example, I'm really, like into mindfulness. And like in the training you also show us that you really should have like a vision on the long term, but then in the end you should like focus every day on what's important to do that day. So you actually have to be like really mindful with like a long term vision. And that is so important to me. Like, I learned so much because of that. So I think those are the three, three main things that I learned.

And it's interesting as entrepreneurs and as you grow and reinvent yourself, like the biggest thing is mindset. Like a lot of people want tactics which are great. As you've seen, like, getting six clients in six weeks is brilliant through the client acquisition system. And like, what was it like? Because I know you've just shared recently in the Facebook group as well, you're one of you, what I would call you dream 100 clients. That where you're getting a lot of repeat business. Like, how has that made you feel? Tell me more about that client.

Yeah, well, how does it make me feel? Well, I think like if you just start your business, you're of course you have. Of course it's like a little bit scary not to know if you have money by the end of the next month. And so with this. So with this client, I actually have a stable income. Like I have a stable turnover. I know that I will have a turnover for the following months. And so this makes me like this. Yeah. Makes me feel super secure so I can really focus on the business and I do not get distracted by. Yeah. Thoughts about, you know, like anxiety thoughts that you have if you just start out, which is normal. And I think like, yeah. In general in this program you really learn that it's not all about that. It's not like hard work plus. Yeah. Being lucky. But it's like hard work plus a certain formula that you need to apply. And you just know there's always going to be a client out there willing to work with you. And yeah, so now I have this big account client and yeah, because of this client I can focus on gaining new business and grow my agency.

Yeah. And it's awesome because like when you get that client that is really bought into you and uses you exclusively and gives you multiple roles, it gives you a sense of more freedom, doesn't it? And relaxes you more that way. Not stressed, always trying to go out when new clients, you know, you've got that to fall back on.

Exactly, exactly. Because normally if you're employed, you know, you have your salary by the end of the month. And now you also have. Yeah. You just also know that you will have your turnover by the following months, which is even better.

That's awesome. So talk me through. Like, I'm sure people are interested to hear. Like when you were, when you first approached me, I remember that like you only had a certain amount that you could invest in yourself and your business. Like how did that make you feel? Because like, obviously when you're investing in something, it is a significant cost to get through that barrier. But what would you say to someone that was like on the fence of like investing in themselves and why should they?

If you don't invest in yourself, then actually I also do not see how you can grow. And I think this is with everything. Like you should always. Yeah. If you want to see like bigger results, you should like always invest. And yeah, I know it's maybe a bit scary to invest because maybe some people see it as like a big, like a risk that you take if you invest. Yeah. In yourself. But actually for me, if I didn't invest in myself, it would have been a bigger risk because then I would not have. Yeah. This business by now. So. And I think there's always a reason not to do it. And also like you told me, like you should really train on that part of your brain, you know, that is like, because there's always a reason not to do it. But you should like really focus on that other part of your brain. Especially if you. Yeah, I want to make it in business. So that's what I would say. Like, yeah, you should just if you want to grow, you should really, really invest in yourself.

Yeah. And it's a really interesting point. A lot of people struggle with that in terms of the doubt, the fear, everything creeps in where people are told not to do things and conform to normality. But as entrepreneurs and business owners, when you're growing, you need to be against the grain and go against what conforms in society in a way. And it goes against a lot of like people's beliefs. But you need to surround yourself with like minded peers, which is interesting. Like how did you find having that support infrastructure like in the peer group and like the, your weekly calls, et cetera. Like have you found value in that too?

Oh yeah, a lot. There's one student from in the program, like we talk every day and we also have calls every Monday and Friday. So. So yeah, that's really so good. It's like as if I have a colleague. And so on Monday we tell each other, okay, this is going to be my goal. And so on Friday we actually have like the same sort of call and we talk like almost every day. And this is so good. Like, yeah, I think this is like one of the, for me, the biggest reasons to join the program because I should also say you're a product of the five people you're most surrounded with. And it's so true. And for me, yeah, it's really super important to have like another co worker was also like starting his own business.

So that's great because like accountability is important. So having an accountability port, an accountability partner in the group where you're pushing each other on and you're giving each other confidence, but then someone you can confine in when you have like a challenge or a roadblock. And. And it's really important to have that, like, I call that like, I still have a call with a guy called Andre who I met at a previous mastermind years ago and we've been friends ever since. And we attend different programs, but we always have like calls catching up. And even though we're in different business environments, it's important because we all keep chasing towards what we want to do and grow and evolve. But again, you are who you surround yourself with. And sometimes we're not in the luxury for the environment where wherever you live that you're surrounded by five other like successful people or millionaires or people with the same mindset. So having that support in a group where you can find someone there and have those million dollar calls with someone because it only takes like one like golden nugget or one bit of advice where someone sees something in you or gives you some advice that worked for them that doesn't work for you and vice versa because you learn more by giving as well. So like you helping that other person helps you propel as well.

Yeah. And also like, because it can be like a roller coaster of different emotions and yeah, it's just so good if you have like at least one person you're close with and you can share everything. And. Yeah, so that's really. Yeah, I'm really, that's. Yeah, really. I'm really happy that I joined this program and that I met this person.

Great. So would you say, like, you've made quite a transformation from where you were without the program and where you were with the business then to where you are now? What would you say transformation's been for you zu everything?

So like, I already said like my mindset, so I really, I feel as if I'm a different person now. Yeah. So yeah, yeah, I kind of really, I cannot compare. It's really a big life changer for me. And business wise, I. Yeah, because now I really, I have like, okay, it's still my first year, but I have the feeling that I have a stable agency right now. And so, yeah, actually I cannot describe in words how much I changed. And also I learned like so many big life lessons such as that you should never like compare, like focus on yourself and compare yourself with others. But when you just start your business, you always think like, okay, I should see what my competitors are doing. But like you should not do this in life and also not in business. And also, yeah, I already told you about like being mindful. And also what I learned is that you should really focus on what's possible and don't focus on the things that are not possible. And especially with these current events because yeah, I mean these are like tough times and in sales you always have to focus on the yeses. And maybe now you have little yeses, but they're still out there, those yeses. And yeah, I think that's what I really learned from this program.

Awesome. And you want to share where do you want to be in 12 months time? So we talk around in the program as well. If like your future self so the current person you are and who you want to evolve to. And I know we shared interview video about Matthew McConaughey when he accepted his award and who his hero was and it's his self in 10 years time. And then once he gets there, then it's like himself in another five years time. And we always striving towards improving and growing as a person and evolving and not comparing ourselves to others like we compare ourselves to our future self of where you want to be and where you, where you've came from. And that's the biggest growth hurdle that you want to overcome is like compare yourself to who you were a year ago and two years ago and where you want to be. Like not what anyone else wants to be. What you want to be is important. But yeah, so what would you say would be where do you want to be in the next 12 months in terms of your agency? What are the main things that you want to achieve?

Okay, so this is actually a good question, but so yeah, in 12 months.

Then.

I hope that I can also be like some sort of mentor. But then for my, for my team. So yeah, on another way, of course. Yeah, yeah. I think I, in 12 months then I even learned more than I did over the last couple of three Months, so I cannot even imagine. Yeah, so I think in, like, 12 months, I have an agency that's even. Yeah, I think that I will have, like, a bigger remote team than I have now and that I'm looking forward to hire my first. Yeah. My first employees and be a mentor for my future employees.

Awesome. So in terms of your model, obviously, we teach around, like, the different systems, building the assets to give you leverage, more time, freedom, and money. Are you wanting to have office in the agency or do you want to have a remote team? Like, how do you want to just structure it moving forward?

No, I want to have an office. Yeah. Because, yeah, I really want to. I really see myself doing this for, like, the next couple of years, and I want to get bigger and learn more and, yeah, maybe even start, you know, like another niche within multilingual. For another country, maybe. I mean, there are so many possibilities, and especially when you just start your business, it's like learning a new language. Like, it opens up so many new worlds. So, yeah, I already have, like, these things in mind, like, maybe I can start this or that or, yeah, maybe do a partnership. So. Yeah.

Exciting. So I'm looking forward to seeing you progress on the journey, Zu. So thank you so much for sharing your journey and for everyone listening, if you're interested in joining the recruiter accelerator program and doing something like Sabita and how she's achieved what she's done in her business, obviously, feel free to click the link below and schedule a call with myself. And until next time, I'll catch you soon. And thanks very much, Savita.