Robin Walters: Going Rogue & Building The Anti-Staffing, Staffing Agency

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In this episode, Marcus Edwardes speaks with Robin Walters, Founder and CEO of Rogue Recruitment, the “anti-staffing, staffing agency”, as well as Rogue Response, a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing her community.

She also serves on the board with Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma. In addition, she is a writer of fiction books and blog posts.

Listen in as Robin explains how she conceptualized Rogue Recruitment to be “radically different” from every other staffing agency out there by focusing on candidates’ goals instead of their impact on the company’s bottom line.

She reflects on her lessons learned during the first six months trying to get Rogue off the ground, as well as how her personal experience with declining mental health during her lowest points as a business owner inspired Robin to further promote a team culture of transparency and vulnerability.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

●      [02:46] An introduction to Rogue Recruitment and “anti-staffing, staffing”

●      [06:01] Why Robin started Rogue Response

●      [07:00] How Rogue Recruitment is different from other staffing agencies

●      [10:17] What big staffing agencies need to do to change

●      [14:31] Where quality over quantity begins at Rogue Recruitment

●      [17:21] How Rogue Recruitment communicates with their clients

●      [20:20] Getting Rogue off the ground in the first six months

●      [24:41] What Robin has learned about hiring the right people

●      [27:36] How Robin recovered from a period of declining mental health

●      [31:35] Robin’s advice to those struggling with their mental health at work

●      [34:57] Robin’s advice to a new entrepreneur just getting their agency off the ground

●      [37:47] Robin’s content strategy for Rogue

Key quotes:

●      “The staffing industry is very broken, and if you just go by what’s normal in staffing, you’re never going to make that difference and disrupt it.”

●      “One of the ways that I want to radically transform the industry is by having staffing agencies who are very committed to the community and in giving back.”

●      “When you place somebody at a new job, you are literally changing their life. You have a major impact on them, because how they’re doing professionally is going to seep into their personal life; so, it’s a huge, huge responsibility. When the big companies turn it down to, ‘What’s your gross margin off of this person?’ you lose the entire point of recruitment, and it’s about helping people find positions to better themselves.”

●      “The negative emphasis on metrics has occurred because it’s easier for people to understand numbers versus relationships.”

●      “It’s not a sign of failure to admit that you’re struggling; to need time off. It’s a sign of immense strength when you can reach out and ask for help.”

Resources Mentioned:

●      Rogue Recruitment

●      Robin Walters on LinkedIn

Connect with Marcus https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusedwardes/