EP333: Just F*cking Do It: Exits, Growth & Founder Mindset - Laura Linden, Fractional CFO, Feisty FD

What does building a recruitment business with the end in mind actually look like? And does an "exit" always mean selling?

In this episode, Lysha Holmes is joined by Laura Linden, founder of Feisty FD and better known as “The Exit Queen." Laura has helped multiple recruitment businesses prepare for successful exits and shares practical, no-nonsense advice on how founders can build companies that thrive with – or without – them.

Together they explore:

• Why every founder should think about exit planning from day one
• The different types of business exits beyond a trade sale
• How niche recruitment businesses create greater value
• Why culture and founder independence matter more than revenue alone
• The mindset shift needed to stop waiting and start building
• Why female founders often underestimate themselves – and how confidence, financial literacy and better decision-making can change everything

Expect candid conversations, plenty of laughs (including an unexpected detour into adult toys!), and honest opinions on entrepreneurship, risk-taking and creating businesses that give you freedom, not just profit.

Who this episode is for:

• Recruitment founders and aspiring founders
• Recruiters considering launching their own business
• Business owners thinking about growth, succession or exit
• Women in recruitment and leadership
• Anyone who wants practical advice on building a valuable business

🔗 Connect with the guest

Laura Linden: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-linden-feisty/

Feisty FD: https://www.feistyfd.com/

🔗 Connect with the host

Lysha Holmes: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyshaholmesr2r/

Qui Recruitment: https://www.quirecruitment.co.uk/

Follow the podcast on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts:

https://www.youtube.com/@therecruitersrecruitmentpod

https://the-recruiters-recruitment-podcast.captivate.fm/

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The Recruiter's Recruitment Podcast is proudly sponsored by Paiger, and partnered with Needi, Keybridge IT Solutions, Bristow & Hardy and Diversity in Recruitment.

Our sponsor:

Paiger - Making Recruiters Smarter and Faster. Paiger helps recruiters build personal brands, identify new business opportunities, attract candidates, and have better conversations.

Find out more about Paiger: https://paiger.co/

Our partners:

Needi is a concierge gift-matching service using psychology and AI, to pinpoint the perfect gifts and experiences for your recipient, from the best local independent businesses. Their team of expert gift finders save companies time and money with their complimentary corporate gifting service.

https://needi.co.uk/

Bristow & Hardy partners with SME recruitment agencies to accelerate growth through sales enablement and recruitment marketing. With over 7 years’ experience, we specialise exclusively in the recruitment sector, delivering strategy, branding, websites, marketing campaigns, and sales support. Our proven growth suite of products helps agencies attract more clients, win more business, and scale efficiently.

https://www.bristowandhardy.co.uk/

Diversity in Recruitment helps recruitment businesses understand diversity, equity, and inclusion in a way that makes sense. Our training and advisory work is designed to attract diverse talent, recruit inclusively, improve your candidate journey and confidently partner with their clients. DE&I doesn’t have to be complicated and scary - it’s simply about fair, ethical and high-quality recruitment.

https://diversityinrecruitment.com/

Keybridge IT Solutions is a London-based Fully Managed IT Support and solutions Provider - Providing 24×7 Support to all Customers. Specialities include Microsoft Cloud, including Office 365, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure, Security, Internet Connectivity, VoIP, and much more.

https://www.keybridgeit.com/

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