Zero to Booked: How Andy Roads Started His Own Firm and Landed Clients Instantly (No Bullshit)

Have you ever asked yourself what it really takes to break away from a decade-long career at a recruiting firm, step out on your own, and land new clients right from the start—even when the salary, security, and a promised succession plan suddenly disappear? If you're a recruiter frustrated by stagnant growth, office politics, or waiting for a buy-in that's always just out of reach, this episode goes straight to the heart of your dilemma. In today’s competitive recruiting world, waiting for permission often means missing out. Benjamin Mena sits down with Andy, who shares his raw, behind-the-scenes journey from loyal employee to founder of High Altitude Recruiting. You’ll hear firsthand how Andy turned uncertainty, fear, and even a restrictive non-compete into rocket fuel for launching his own agency and booking clients within days—without gimmicks or empty buzzwords. If you want to break free, earn what you’re worth, and thrive in 2024’s market, this episode is packed with actionable insights tailored just for you. Learn how to unlock the power of your professional network: Andy details the exact approach and messaging that drove a 60% response rate and immediate client interest through personalized LinkedIn outreach—even connecting with founders, HR leaders, and industry decision-makers with a modest yet irresistible offer. See why mastering both mindset and operational basics matters: Discover Andy’s step-by-step method for setting up a nimble recruiting business (think: ATS selection, on-site client meetings, transparent service, and value-driven pricing inspired by industry leaders like Alex Hormozi). Find out how to shift from reactive to proactive business development: Whether you’re considering starting your own agency or want to bring in more clients now, Andy and Ben reveal real-world tactics—from referrals and industry events, to content and branding—that build credibility, foster referrals, and keep your pipeline full even through market slowdowns. This episode is brought to you by Remote Assistants https://www.remoteassistants.ai/ – the go-to partner for recruiters who are done wasting time on operations, sourcing, or marketing. Their Remote Assistants are pre-vetted and fully trained for an entire 4 months. We’re talking sourcing, candidate follow-up, backend automation, marketing support – all the things that pull you away from actually growing your business. So if you’re serious about scaling your agency, and want to buy back your time with real, plug-and-play talent – go to www.remoteassistants.ai and get matched in under 48 hours. AI Recruiting Summit 2025 – Registration: https://ai-recruiting-summit-2025.heysummit.com/ Finish The Year Strong 2025 – Registration: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/ Signup for future emails from The Elite Recruiter Podcast: https://eliterecruiterpodcast.beehiiv.com/subscribe YouTube: https://youtu.be/sLp_ju2ZnfI Follow Andy Roads on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyroads/ With your Host Benjamin Mena with Select Source Solutions: http://www.selectsourcesolutions.com/ Benjamin Mena LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminmena/