Betting on Yourself: Launching a recruitment agency after 15 years w/ Nathalie Janger
After 15 years in recruitment, Nathalie Janger took the leap to launch her own agency. Here’s what she learned. Most recruiters think about starting their own agency at some point. Very few actually take the leap. In this episode of Talent Matters, Dave Jenkins sits down with Nathalie Janger, Founder of Crystal Clear Recruitment, to talk about what it really takes to bet on yourself after nearly 15 years working inside the same recruitment agency. Nathalie shares the reality of launching a new recruitment business, from securing early placements and navigating quiet summer months to building confidence, relationships and a clear plan for growth. They explore the practical and personal side of starting a recruitment agency, including business planning, managing risk, finding support and why personal reputation plays such a big role when you go out on your own. We cover: • Why Nathalie decided to launch Crystal Clear Recruitment • What surprised her most about starting a recruitment business • The importance of coaching, mentoring and support • The practical steps involved in setting up an agency • Why relationships and reputation still drive recruitment success • What she would do differently with hindsight • Advice for recruiters thinking about starting their own agency If you are considering starting a recruitment business, this episode offers a refreshingly honest look at the journey. // TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Cold open: always stay open to learning 00:12 Welcome to Talent Matters 00:43 Launching Crystal Clear Recruitment 01:19 Early placements and the summer slowdown 04:00 Nathalie’s route into recruitment 08:27 Deciding to start her own agency 12:08 Where Crystal Clear Recruitment came from 18:02 Momentum returns after summer 19:15 The value of coaching and support 21:21 Building confidence to take the leap 25:12 Practical steps to set up the business 29:17 Personal brand and long-term relationships 33:09 What Nathalie would do differently 36:07 Why support matters when you work solo 43:38 Advice for starting a recruitment business 45:37 Final thoughts // ABOUT TALENT MATTERS Talent Matters is a podcast by Wave, hosted by Dave Jenkins, exploring the real stories, tools, and insights that drive growth in recruitment. Subscribe for practical, straight-talking advice from agency founders, marketing leaders, and recruitment tech experts.
