From Recruitment Consultants to Founders and Business Owners
How Hilton Lord Helped Lisa & Ria Build Their Dream Agency
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A Fresh New Chapter
Supporting Futures, a recruitment agency specialising in the charity sector, was founded by Lisa and Ria, both experienced recruiters, who were ready for a change. After years of working in a corporate environment, they faced internal moves and commission structure changes that made them question their future.
"There were a number of things going on in the business. They moved us internally, which we didn't particularly want. Then they changed the commission structure. Financially, it was going to have quite a severe impact."
Lisa's introduction to Hilton Lord marked the beginning of their journey towards creating their own recruitment agency, one that was more aligned with their values and professional goals.
"It was actually Louis from Moore Green Recruitment who recommended you. We had all worked together within the same group. Louis jumped ship about a year before we did. He asked if I wanted to connect with Dave."
The decision wasn't easy but Lisa and Ria knew it was the right time to create a business on their own terms.
Starting a Business from Scratch
Even though they felt nervous about the decision, it was clear the timing was right. With Hilton Lord providing the support they needed to push through, Lisa and Ria had the confidence to move forward.
"It was mainly the lack of job security, especially with a young family. Hilton Lord made it much easier. They provided a loan that substituted our salary early on. We paid that back after the first year, but it gave us the security we needed."
Adding to their nerves was the decision to start fresh in an entirely new region. This meant they had to build their client base from scratch; a daunting prospect even for two experienced recruiters accustomed to covering different regions.
"Previously we worked regionally. To carry on would have breached our contracts. So we had to start completely fresh. That was a bit concerning, but even with that, things moved quite quickly."
Hilton Lord's Support Makes All the Difference
From the very beginning, Hilton Lord's commitment to supporting our partners stood out.
"We were guided through the entire process, including registration, insurance, and compliance, so we knew we weren't missing anything. Hilton Lord either helped us directly or gave us the tools and advice we needed."
One of the most significant benefits of working with us is the back-office support we provide. In their previous roles, Lisa and Ria had to manage everything from debt chasing to payroll. With Hilton Lord, they were able to focus on recruitment without the operational headaches.
"Having help with the website was brilliant. The branding and logo, all of that was completely new to us. The payroll team are amazing as well. The whole back-office team are incredibly efficient. Our temps are happy, our clients are happy, and everything is handled professionally."
Lisa and Ria also gained the flexibility to set their own schedules and balance their work and personal lives.
"It's given us flexibility, both professionally and on a personal level, it's given me a work-life balance I never had before. I can show up for my kids at school and don't need to rely on breakfast or after-school clubs. I just wish we'd had the courage to do it earlier."
If this sounds like the kind of support you're looking for, get in touch with us today to explore your options for starting your own successful recruitment business with Hilton Lord.
A Network That Helps You Grow
Having a network of like-minded partners gave Lisa and Ria a sense of community that was invaluable in the early days.
"Going out on your own can feel daunting. Ria is based in Sweden, so she's not physically here, but it's still the two of us together. And, then being part of a wider group is invaluable. The partner get-togethers, training sessions, and the ability to speak to others about challenges has been really helpful."
Being part of a wider network provided Lisa and Ria with the confidence and reassurance they needed to continue growing their business.
From Start-Up to Success in Record Time
Despite starting fresh in a new region, Lisa and Ria quickly saw success. In less than a year, Supporting Futures had placed temps and made their first placements. Now they work with charities supporting vulnerable people at risk of domestic and sexual violence as well as young people at risk of exploitation.
They recruit at all levels, from frontline roles such as Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs), Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs), refuge workers, community support workers and children, schools and family workers.
"Most of our clients are charities or public sector organisations. They've had funding cut after funding cut, and without staff they simply can't deliver their services. Running our own business allows us to be flexible with fees, rates, and how we partner with them. That's been hugely beneficial."
Hilton Lord's ability to provide operational support allowed them to focus on growing their business rather than being bogged down with the details of running a company. The result? A successful recruitment agency up and running faster than they anticipated.
Start Your Own Recruitment Business with Hilton Lord
Lisa's advice to anyone thinking about starting their own recruitment business:
"Take the leap. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner and that I didn't discover Hilton Lord earlier. Ultimately, it's given us freedom."
With Hilton Lord's support, Lisa and Ria were able to take their recruitment agency from an idea to a thriving business, while maintaining the autonomy and financial stability they desired.
If you're an experienced recruiter with the ambition to start your own business, you too can create your own success story with the backing of a trusted partner like Hilton Lord.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you build your dream recruitment agency.