8 Years of WOW Recruitment: the lessons, laughs & late nights that got us here

It has been eight whole years since I took the leap and launched WOW Recruitment.



Eight years since I left the comfort and security of full-time work to build something from scratch, with no blueprint or guarantees, and butterflies in my stomach.

And honestly? What a ride it’s been.

Starting WOW was never just about creating a recruitment agency, it was about doing recruitment differently. Led from the heart with people at the centre. No suits or stuffy boardrooms. Something built on genuine connection, real talk, and a commitment to doing right by our candidates, our clients, and our team.

And here we are, eight years later. We’ve grown, evolved, made mistakes, learned big lessons, had some massive wins, and created something I’m pretty damn proud of.

So, in the spirit of reflection (and because a glass of bubbles and a bit of nostalgia go hand in hand), here are 8 lessons from 8 years that I keep coming back to:

1. Mindset is everything

Running a business stretches you in ways you can’t prepare for. There’s strategy, structure and sales – but when it really counts, it comes down to mindset. The way you show up when cash flow is tight. When a key hire doesn’t work out. When life throws you a curveball. I’m naturally all-in when it comes to work. I care deeply, I obsess over the details, and I’ve absolutely lost sleep over results, challenges, and the endless “what ifs”. That intensity has fuelled WOW’s growth but it’s also taught me that mindset matters more than anything. Over the years, I’ve had to learn how to pause. To zoom out. To protect my energy and separate the personal from the professional. But what’s helped me the most is gratitude. Even in the chaos, I try to come back to this: I get to do this. I get to lead an amazing team, build a business I believe in, and grow something that makes a difference. And in the harder moments, that perspective is what steadies me.

2. Protect your culture like your life depends on it

Because in some ways, it does.

Culture isn’t something that magically happens – it’s something you build, nurture, and fiercely protect. It’s not just about Friday drinks or team lunches (although, I love those). It’s about how we show up for each other, the energy we bring to work, how we treat our clients and candidates, and how we handle the tough days.

Over the years, I’ve learned that when you let culture slide, even just a little, it impacts everything. So, we protect ours fiercely. We check in, we speak up, and we stay aligned to our values. It’s what makes WOW so special.

3. Have an “Always On” approach to hiring

Hiring is hard. Even as recruiters, we’re not immune to the same challenges our clients face. The market moves fast, top talent gets snapped up quickly, and sometimes the right person shows up when you least expect it.

That’s why we’ve adopted a mindset of always being open to meeting great people – even when we don’t have a role live. We leave a little wiggle room in the budget, we think creatively, and if someone exceptional crosses our path, we find a way to make it work.

4. Be you. Wholeheartedly and unapologetically

This one took me a while.

When you start a business, especially as a woman, there’s a temptation to fit into the mould – whatever that means. I tried to play the game at first. But the truth is, the more I showed up as me – straight-talking, heart on my sleeve, full of passion but always all-in – the more everything started to click.

That doesn’t mean I always get it right. I absolutely don’t. But I’ll always be the first to own it when I get something wrong. I believe in leading with honesty, learning out loud, and using every misstep as a chance to grow.

People want real. They want to connect with the person, not just the brand. And the more I leaned into authenticity, the more WOW became a magnet for the right people.

5. Learn to say no

I’m a people-pleaser by nature. I want to help everyone, say yes to everything, and make it work. But over the years, I’ve learned that every “yes” comes at a cost – and sometimes, that cost is too high.

We’ve turned down clients who didn’t treat candidates well. We’ve walked away from revenue because it didn’t align with our values. And while saying no can be scary, it’s also deeply empowering.

And now, as a new mum, this lesson hits even harder. My time, energy, and focus aren’t just mine anymore. Saying no has become a non-negotiable because saying yes to every opportunity outside of work means saying no to precious moments with my family. My priorities have shifted, and I’ve realised that boundaries aren’t barriers, they’re anchors that help keep what matters most in place.

Every time we say no to the wrong things, we make space for the right things.

6. Trust your gut

You know that little nudge you get when something just feels off? That voice is gold.

Over the years, I’ve ignored it a few times and regretted it every time. I’ve since learned to tune in, trust it, and let it lead me, especially in the grey areas where logic isn’t enough.

7. Good business beats just any business

We’ve had to get really clear on who we do and don’t want to work with.

Early on, I felt like I had to say yes to every client that came our way. But not all business is good business. Some clients drain your energy, stretch your team, and just aren’t aligned with how you operate.

Now, we work with clients who get it – who treat candidates with respect, value our partnership, and match our energy. It makes the work more meaningful, and the results better for everyone involved.

8. Profit isn’t a dirty word

I used to shy away from the numbers. I was focused on the team, the experience and the vision; and all of that matters, but so does profit.

Without profit, you can’t grow. You can’t reward your team. You can’t invest in better tools, new talent or new ideas. Profit gives you freedom.

I’ve learned to love the numbers. To own the commercial side of what we do, without apology. Because you can be values-driven and profitable. They’re not mutually exclusive, in fact, they feed each other.

To everyone who's been part of this...

Whether you’ve worked with us, cheered us on, sent a referral, shared our job ads, joined the team, or just liked a post; you’ve been part of this story.

Thank you.

Thank you for believing in us, for growing with us, and for reminding me why I took the leap all those years ago. Here’s to eight years of WOW and to whatever magic comes next…