From Top Biller to Tech CEO - Firefish's Wendy McDougall Shares Her Journey

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty speaks with Wendy McDougall, CEO of Firefish, about the evolving world of recruitment technology. They discuss Wendy’s journey from top-billing recruiter to tech entrepreneur, the challenges of building an ATS, and the future of AI in hiring. Wendy shares insights into recruitment market cycles, the importance of customer service in tech, and how automation is reshaping the industry. Tune in for insights on how recruitment tech is evolving.

Justin McGuire has been running MCG Talent for 15 years, expanding across Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Riyadh. In this episode, he breaks down what actually works in recruitment today, why he moved away from the traditional 360 model, and how he built a leaner, more profitable business. He shares the biggest money traps recruitment firms fall into, the challenges of expanding into Saudi Arabia, and why most recruiters have forgotten how to build real client relationships. Tune in for the full conversation!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Anthony Kelly, founder of Deep REC AI, reflects on his first year in business, navigating a challenging market, and expanding into high-value AI recruitment. He shares insights on hiring mistakes, business development, working with VCs, and why he’s keeping operations in the UK instead of opening a U.S. office. Host Dualta Doherty and Anthony also discuss AI’s impact on recruitment, the future of hiring, and how our guest plans to integrate venture capital investment into his business strategy. Tune in for deeper insights!

Rich Gibbard joins the Recruiter Startup Podcast to break down the state of recruitment, automation, and business development in 2024. He and Dualta discuss how the market is shifting, where the best opportunities lie, and how recruiters can win in a competitive scene. They dive into the Manchester recruitment scene, the rise (and fall) of automation, and how firms can stand out through better marketing, LinkedIn strategy, and community-building. Watch now and subscribe for more!

Join Dualta and Rich Evans for a casual and insightful chat on the Recruiter Startup Podcast. They discuss recruitment vibes, industry trends, and the contrasts between Leeds and Manchester. #Podcast #Recruitment #CareerTips

This episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast features Dan Martin, founder of The Ripple Project and a mindset coach with a compelling story of transformation. Dan shares his journey from overcoming personal struggles to empowering recruitment leaders to find purpose, resilience, and balance in their careers. With his unique perspective and practical approach, Dan offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the highs and lows of work and life. This is an inspiring and thought-provoking episode that highlights the power of mindset and leadership. Tune in!

In this episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, host Dualta Doherty chats with Logan Naidu from Kernel Global. Logan shares his 20-year journey in recruitment, exploring private equity transactions and offering advice for founders. Discover the insights and strategies that drove Kernel's growth and success.

Welcome to a new episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast! This time, Ben Browning from Resonant joins us to discuss the major challenges and opportunities recruiters are navigating in 2025. The discussion dives into shifting markets, the rise of tech disruption, and the evolving role of automation in sales. Ben shares his insights on building better systems, sharpening business development strategies, and staying competitive in an increasingly complex landscape. Drawing on his extensive experience and recent research, he offers practical advice for recruitment leaders and business owners looking to adapt and thrive.  Tune in!

The Recruiter Startup Podcast kicks off 2025 with a conversation with Michelle Flynn, a recruitment veteran turned coach who host Dualta Doherty compares to the 'Billions' character Wendy Rhoades—and, after hearing her thoughts on the industry, it is easy to understand why. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey from agency recruitment to coaching, offering insights on how leaders can balance work and life, build resilience, achieve peak performance and navigate the ups and downs of leadership in recruitment. Tune in!

In this special episode of the Recruiter Startup Podcast, Dualta Doherty catches up with his long-term business partner, Andy Hallett, to reflect on the highs, lows, and viral moments of 2024. From the recruitment industry's toughest challenges to predictions for a global oil and gas boom under Trump, they explore what's next for recruiters navigating a changing market. Expect candid insights on scaling recruitment businesses, leveraging technology, and staying ahead of the curve, plus a bit of banter about Christmas pints, viral LinkedIn controversies, and the future of work. If you're looking for smart strategies and a healthy dose of realism heading into 2025, this is one to tune into!