07.10.24

Founder Vibes - Retrospective on Q3

Entering Q4: Reflections from the Coalface of a Recruitment Start-up

As we step into the final stretch of 2024 (or Q4 in business lingo), it's a perfect moment to reflect on the wild journey so far.

So, where are we at?

Well, dcoded is nearly five months old. Wait… what? Five months?! Time is flies when you're building something meaningful.

Every morning, I still wake up with that ‘spring in my step’ feeling. Why? Because I’m working on something that excites me. Something impactful. And most importantly, I’ve got an incredible group of people in my corner, cheering me on and helping make this dream a reality.

That said, switching off is hard. I mean, who’s going to tell my brain to stop having brilliant (hmmm, that’s subjective) ideas at 12am? But I’ve learned to balance it out, especially when it comes to family time. Evenings are family first, and that’s non-negotiable.

The Sacrifices No One Warns You About

I’ll be honest – and I’ve documented this before. There have been sacrifices. Saying goodbye to my beloved car (finally) was a tough one. But hey, there’s a silver lining: it’s just more motivation to get an even better one in a few years. Onward and upward, right?

And then there’s the matter of health. I usually dodge colds and flu like Neo in The Matrix, but when you have a 6-year-old who brings every germ imaginable home, and I’m in the office 5x a week and on/off the Metrolink… well, let’s just say the odds aren't in my favour. What’s wild is, despite being exposed to it all, I’ve developed a sort of mental block against getting sick. I was talking to a good friend about this the other day - I just refuse to let it stop me. Mind over matter, I guess?

Business Check-In: Gains and Growing Pains

On the business front, things are... OK. Actually, scratch that. They’re going well. But, in true founder fashion, I always think we can do better. We're gaining speed, though. We’ve seen a ton of new opportunities roll in, both from returning clients and new ones. Interviews? Offers? Yep, we’ve got plenty of those happening too.

I’m thrilled to share that we’ve officially expanded the team to three. Our latest hire is tackling UX, Design, and Product markets – these are key growth areas for us. Having someone laser-focused on these sectors helps us scale smarter and meet our clients' ever-growing demands. It feels like a major win.

Oh, and in other exciting news, we’re officially B-Corp pending! I’ve paid the fee, so I’m claiming it. It’s a significant step for dcoded and aligns perfectly with the direction and purpose of the business. Honestly, I love chatting with prospective clients and partners about what we’re doing and, more importantly, why we’re doing it. It adds a whole new level of depth to our work.

Perfection vs. Progress

Speaking of progress... the website is still not finished. It’s taken far longer than I expected, and it’s made me realize just how much of a perfectionist I can be. But hey, it’s all about progress over perfection, right?

That being said, we’ve had some major wins. We’ve landed clients I’ve been tracking since day one. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our sales strategy resonating in the market. Our messaging is sticking, and our mission is striking a chord with people. Plus, September was a record month for placements!

Podcasting, Events, and Exciting Prospects

Another exciting milestone: we’ve started the dcoded.Podcast. We’ve already had our first guests on, and yes, there were a few tech hiccups (who knew podcasts were this tricky?), but I’m convinced that the content is what matters most. It’s all part of the learning curve. I’m confident that the podcast will become a core piece of our brand’s storytelling moving forward.

We’re also in talks with a major Manchester brand about co-hosting an event that promises to be a game-changer for the city. Stay tuned—more on that soon. #dcoded.Meets

Looking ahead, I’ve got my sights set on our fourth hire before the end of Q4. I’ve spoken to loads of consultants, but I’m holding out for the right one. It’s the same mindset that’s shaped our team so far: stay principled, value driven hires and don’t settle for less. Elly, our latest addition, has been fantastic, and onboarding her has been a great opportunity to refine our processes and messaging.

Record Metrics and the Power of Consistency

I’m proud to say we’ve hit some incredible numbers this past month - our highest ever in ‘jobs-on’, ‘interviews secured’, and ‘revenue generated’. October is shaping up to be our largest invoiced month to date. Our metrics are solid, and I firmly believe it’s because we stick to the basics and do them brilliantly. Consistency is key, and our mantra, “Be religious with consistency,” is paying off.

A Note on Sales Calls

One final, slightly random observation: since becoming a founder, I’ve been surprised by how few sales calls I actually receive. Out of the 20 LinkedIn messages or emails I get daily, maybe one or two people bother to pick up the phone. That’s a missed opportunity, folks. And hopefully, something everyone can take away from this blog: never underestimate the power of an old-fashioned phone call.

Takeaways: Four Key Thoughts from the Past Few Months

1. Build a Process You Can Believe In I’ve always been a fan of a good story. And in business, a good story deserves to be told and shared. Working with my investor (and Mr Feeney), it has been an eye-opener in terms of how we can systematically share our story with the world.
2. B-Corp Isn’t Just a Trend Tony Robbins once said, “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” B-Corp is our key goal for 2025 - it’s a long road, but a meaningful one.
3. Growth Everywhere Yes, we’ve grown the team, but that’s just the beginning. We’re growing in so many other ways: refining our messaging, expanding our client and candidate base, and most importantly, increasing our revenues.
4. Hiring Is Personal Hiring for your own start-up is a whole different ballgame. It’s more personal. Trust is fundamental and finding that trust in someone new isn’t always easy nor clear. But when you get it right, it’s worth every ounce of effort.

So, that’s where we’re at. Here’s to a strong finish to 2024 (Q4), and to all the exciting things still to come.

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