A recruitment boss who was made redundant at the start of the year has revealed how she turned disaster into success, launching her own agency that now turns over more than six figures a month.
Becky McHugh and her business partner Caroline McBriar were left jobless when their company closed its doors, but the pair refused to let it defeat them.
Instead, they launched The Staffing People, a temporary recruitment agency specialising in hospitality, and within 12 months, they’d ended their first year in profit.
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“My business partner Caroline and I were made redundant due to company closure at the start of the year, we have 30 years combined experience so decided to set up on our own!” Becky, from Nottingham’, told Founder Insights.
The pair had both worked in the recruitment industry for years, but running their own business was an entirely different challenge.
Becky said: “Although we were at the forefront of the previous company, neither of us had actually run a business before, you actually don’t realise the immense amount of pressure until its on you! But we both thrive under pressure so we ran with it and now here we are!”
The Staffing People recruits workers for the hospitality sector, mainly for stadia, but also private parties, hotels and Christmas events.
Having spent years building connections in the industry, Becky and Caroline were able to secure their first clients through existing relationships – but it wasn’t easy.
“We have both worked in the industry for a long time, so luckily those that believed in us gave us a shot!” she said.
“Now its word of mouth from just doing a good job, you really cant just open a business in this industry, its who you know and who trusts you!”
The timing couldn’t have been worse – they launched in January, one of the toughest months in hospitality.
Becky said: “We started at the worst time in hospitality anyway – January! So the first few months were really rough but to be honest, every January going forward will probably be rough! We just have to plan for it and see the bigger picture which is the rest of the year! A tough couple of months really cant make us give up!”§
Despite the rocky start, the business grew rapidly – going from “literally 0 – 100” according to Becky, who admits they initially “just about” covered their outgoings.
By March, things began to click, with some of the biggest names in the industry returning as clients.
The entrepreneur is most proud of ending their first year in profit – after paying themselves – and the roster of high-profile clients they now work with.
But running the business has come at a cost.
“Our jobs are literally 24/7 so probably a bit of burnout, although we were used to working hard before, now theres the added extras that come with running a business so its full on, but we love it!” Becky said.
“My temporary team keeps me going! And my business partner, when we pull something amazing off together like a crazy weekend or a new client its so rewarding to see everyone come together and be happy for us,” she said.
The temporary staff who were made redundant alongside her remain a driving force behind the business.
“The temporary team, they were made redundant along with us so we would never want that to happen to them again and we wont let it happen!” Becky said.
Her leadership style? Leading by example.
“I do and always have done everything in the business, recruiting people from scratch, checking staff in in the rain at 5am on Saturday morning, no job is too small and I always like to think how can I ask someone to do something I am not willing to do myself?” she said.
While money matters, Becky’s ultimate goal isn’t just about becoming the biggest agency in the country.
“As much as we would like to be the biggest agency in the country money wise i think theres much more than that, I would prefer to be the agency that is known for everyone WANTING to work for us, clients wanting to use us because were kind and honest and just trying to do our best,” she said.
Running her own business has changed Becky, making her stronger and more focused on who truly supports her vision.
“Its hard not to take things personally when your business is 24/7 and literally your whole life!” she said.
Her advice to anyone following in her footsteps?
“No ones coming to save you when its your own business, no one else is going to pay you at the end of the month, just get it done.”
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