Starting a recruitment agency is something many recruiters think about — but far fewer actually do.

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Nathalie Janger, Founder of Crystal Clear Recruitment, to talk about what it really takes to leave a long-term role and build a recruitment business from scratch.

After nearly 15 years working in the same agency, Nathalie made the leap to start her own firm focused on business support roles across Greater London. She shares the moment that pushed her to back herself, the realities of launching in a challenging market, and why confidence, preparation, and the right support network can make all the difference.

The conversation explores the early days of building a new recruitment business — from landing those first placements and navigating quiet periods, to developing a personal brand and creating a service built on transparency and trust.

We cover:• Why some recruiters decide to start their own agency
• The mindset needed to leave a stable role and go solo• What the first few months of launching a recruitment business really look like• The practical steps involved in setting up an agency• Why coaching and external support can accelerate progress• The importance of relationships and personal brand in recruitment

If you're a recruiter thinking about launching your own agency — or simply curious about what the early stages of building a recruitment business look like — this episode offers an honest look behind the scenes.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at⁠https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

Most recruitment agencies claim to be specialists.

But what does it actually take to build — and scale — a truly niche recruitment brand?

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Ian Whitear, Co-Founder of White Space Recruitment, to explore how a long-term specialist approach in architecture and design recruitment has shaped a resilient, internationally expanding business.

Ian shares lessons from 25+ years in the industry — from recruiting in the US to launching in Dubai — and explains why relationships, market knowledge and reputation still matter more than ever.

They also discuss:

• Why niche recruiters outperform generalists• How market cycles impact architecture hiring• Scaling without losing focus• Expanding internationally the right way• Using AI to improve efficiency, not replace recruiters

If you're building a recruitment business and thinking about going deeper rather than wider, this one’s for you.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at

⁠https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters

Most recruitment agencies believe they’re different — but in a crowded market, many still look, sound, and operate the same.

In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins is joined by Ksenia Molodych, Founder of XOO, to explore what really makes recruitment businesses stand out. Drawing on experience across SaaS, marketing, and revenue operations, Ksenia explains why recruitment often takes inspiration only from itself — and why that holds agencies back.

They unpack the role of brand and customer experience in long-term growth, the tension between short-term sales and long-term marketing, and how alignment across sales, marketing, and operations changes everything. The conversation also tackles AI — separating hype from reality, and why AI won’t fix broken fundamentals but can accelerate growth when used properly.

We cover:

• Why recruitment agencies struggle to differentiate in a crowded market
• The myth of “our people make us different”
• What recruitment can learn from SaaS and other industries
• Brand and customer experience as revenue drivers
• Sales and marketing alignment through RevOps
• Where AI genuinely adds value — and where it goes wrong

If you're a recruitment agency owner, leader, or marketer trying to stand out, build a stronger brand, and use AI without losing the human touch, this one’s for you.

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🎧 Listen to Talent Matters for honest conversations with recruitment leaders, tech experts, and marketers helping agencies grow.

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🔗 Discover more episodes at

https://wave-rs.co.uk/resources/podcasts/talent-matters