EP 47 - The Challenges of a Young And Underestimated 7-figure Founder w/Sam Hunter

What happens when a young female recruiter launches two businesses before 30, pivots mid-pandemic, and bills over £2M — all while being constantly underestimated?
In this episode, I’m joined by Sam Hunter, founder, temp recruitment specialist, and fierce advocate for leading from the front.

We dive into what it really takes to scale a high-performing temp desk, how to pivot your business when the market shifts, and why mindset, structure, and resilience will always beat “hype” and shortcuts. From 4:30am site visits to securing investment in her 20s, Sam shares a brutally honest take on growing a business people don’t expect you to succeed in.

We explore:
✅ Scaling a temp desk to 100+ workers with high-margin clients
✅ What it’s like raising investment as a young female founder
✅ How to pivot your niche (without losing your credibility)
✅ Cold calling in 2025 and how to actually make it work
✅ Building a business around your gaps (admin, structure, support)
✅ The mindset habits that build legacy — not just income
✅ Why AI won’t replace relationships (but recruiters might)

If you're building a recruitment business, scaling a temp desk, or just want to shut down the doubters — this episode is full of hard-earned lessons that go way beyond your average "success story."

⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 – Who is Sam Hunter? From 26-year-old founder to £2M biller
04:00 – The reality of being underestimated as a young woman in rec
08:00 – Mindset, upbringing, and building with zero excuses
12:00 – How she pivoted into PPE & food mid-COVID
18:00 – Scaling to 100 temps per day: process, margins, team
26:00 – Cold calling, voice notes & why recruiters are scared to connect
34:00 – Building teams that fill your gaps (and don’t drain your energy)
39:00 – AI, automation & keeping it human
44:00 – Personal brand, leadership, and staying authentic
50:00 – Final thoughts on scaling with soul & shutting out the noise
🔗 Connect with Sam Hunter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-hunter-recruitment/

🔗 Connect with Charles Kyriakou
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charleskyriakou1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charles.kyriakou?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-better-recruitment-podcast/id1775201502
YouTube: https://youtu.be/
LinkedIn Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7244346543967731712/?displayConfirmation=true

#RecruitmentPodcast #FemaleFounders #TempRecruitment #ScalingBusiness #ColdCalling2025 #MindsetMatters #1PercentBetter #RealTalkRecruitment #AgencyOwnerLife #PivotAndScale #YoungFounders