Female Founder: Jamie Grossman of PRTNR Recruiting
Jamie Grossman, founder of PRTNR Recruiting
How did you get your start in the industry?
Sometimes the best things in life happen by accident, and that's exactly how I stumbled upon my passion for recruiting. When I moved back to LA from New York, I was working as a marketer in the entertainment industry. Every few months, a prominent recruiter in the marketing space would reach out to me, asking if I knew anyone who might be interested in a new role. After a few years of these exchanges, she shared with me how much money I would have made over the years if I had been recruiting for her on my referrals alone. I was blown away that I could make people happy, make money and chat with people all day. It was a no-brainer!
It was here that I learned how to recruit. We would use various company directories and call everyone individually just to network on the roles we were working on. It was all about the relationships; she never made it about the money, even though it was a great bonus. She loved connecting with people and learning about them, their families, their college experiences, and much more. I am so fortunate that I worked for a woman who not only believed in the power of communication but she loved it and was great at it.
What do you consider your "big break"?
I am so fortunate that I worked for a woman who not only believed in the power of communication but she loved it and was great at it.
After learning the agency ropes, I decided to try in-house recruiting. However, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed the agency side. I jumped at the opportunity when I was recruited to join a fashion recruiting agency in Los Angeles that was launching its marketing and creative team. Fashion and recruiting; sounded like a dream come true. I haven’t looked back since.
How did the idea for your brand come about?
Recruiting has always been about relationships for us at PRTNR, and I strongly believe that what comes around goes around, which has proven to be the case for me.
When creating the name, the one phrase we kept returning to was that we are our client’s partners. Our camaraderie, our dedication, and our desire to find our clients the best person for their hiring needs never changed. Our mission is one we stand behind, which is why we believe so much in our company name and brand.
What advice would you give to younger women entering the industry?
Learn and take in as much as possible. Be bold, ask questions, and offer ideas. If you make a mistake, slow down, ask for help, and learn how to do things differently.
What are you doing to help lift other women?
I worked for some challenging female bosses and wanted to break the cycle. I wanted to show other women that working for or with one another could be fun and a safe place to grow their careers. Many women don't see the importance of highlighting how amazing it is to work with other female founders; it's just about them. I am sharing the benefits and experiences of associating ourselves with other female-founded and run companies because we have a mutual appreciation for lifting other women up in this competitive industry. We all support one another and share information back and forth that helps our businesses grow.
If you had to name one person, can you share who inspires you?
There are so many women who have and continue to inspire me, from those who took a risk to start their own business to others who worked their way up the corporate ladder to those who left the working world to be stay-at-home parent. All these people stayed true to themselves and their values, which inspires me daily. They understand the meaning and action of being genuine, honest, and looking at the bigger picture, not just the here and now. I feel so lucky to be able to surround myself with these women at PRTNR every day.
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Connect with Jamie here
