Biller to Builder: Evolving beyond the old-school recruitment mindset W/ Rupert McSheehy
Rupert McSheehy shares how he went from high-performing biller to building a lean, people-first agency with a modern recruitment mindset. In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins chats with Rupert McSheehy, Director of RMG Digital and host of Fireside with Founders. Rupert reflects on his early days working under the S3 model, his transition from top biller to business owner, and how he’s built a sustainable recruitment agency by focusing on trust, autonomy, and impact, not vanity metrics like headcount. They dig into: ✅ What makes a modern, values-led recruitment business ✅ Why smaller can mean more profitable ✅ How to move from transactional recruitment to strategic partnerships ✅ Letting go of control as a founder ✅ Using content like podcasts to support BD and brand-building If you're a recruiter, agency owner, or someone considering starting your own firm, this episode is packed with candid insights and practical advice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Rupert's Career Journey 01:06 Early Recruitment Experiences 03:53 The S3 Influence 08:09 Starting RMG Digital 08:31 Modern Work Ethic and Culture 20:59 Empowering Employees 23:35 Control Freak Tendencies 25:15 Managing Finances and Control in Business 27:06 Transitioning from Revenue Generation to Leadership 30:01 Challenges of Scaling a Business 32:38 The Value of Smaller, Profitable Teams 37:29 The Role of Internal Talent Acquisition 41:23 Adapting to Market Changes and Future Trends 48:46 The Importance of Relationships in Recruitment 54:55 Conclusion
